Am Faochagach
Posted: Sun Sep 01, 2019 2:13 pmMy last day in Scotland I needed a hill to quickly get up and down again to catch my flight later in the day. With my failure to get any hills in on Friday (due to the wind/rain), and a great day yesterday, I wanted to drag my body up another hill given that the heat wave had finally arrived....and it was going to be my 130th Munro...At this rate I'll be 130 myself before I finish 
Anyway, this route takes not a lot of description, so its a quick report.
After staying at Altguish I was well fed and watered. I drove up the road and parked at 278742 just at the end of Loch Glascarnoch. From there I crossed the road and climbed over a stile to enter the bog.
Even in a day like today with not a cloud in the sky the route across to Abhainn Gharbhrain is truely a bog. Once at the river I was aware that I would ahve to take my boots off. There was a small cairn next to the river which I guessed marks some sort of crossing point...I didnt see the advantage of the spot myself. Anyway, I took my boots off...with no flip-flops in my pack i made do with treading carefully before taking a next step. And it was above knee deep and jaggedy. Getting to the other side and after a brief midge bombardment while I tried to dry my feet with my fleece (doesnt work that well!) I put my boots on and plouged on through the heather.
I was greeted with a fantastic still Loch a' Gharbhrain which offered a perfect reflection of the impressive Beinn Dearg (for another time I think).
I couldnt see any obvious track up my munro Am Faochagach so just slowly climbed NE upo to the ridge. As my body was tired, and it was hotting up I had no sun hat...I took it slow slow. I got to the ridge at around 2.5 hrs.
From there the going got easier with a couple of shorter climbs and cairns to pass, after 2km or so I got to the top 3hr 40mins from start.
The top was flat with great views of Beinn Dearg and the Fannich hills where I was across the road on Friday. I could see them this time!!
I checked how much water I had as I was aware it was sunstroke weather....so took a sip and after an enjoyable lunch, headed back the same route...on the way down I found a track beside the river which I guess would have made it a bit easier climbing up. Also the river crossing going back I noticed the river outlet nearest Loch a' Gharbhrain looked shallower and flow was slower so I headed there.
Given that the car was only another km away, I just ploded through...ha...did my feet and boots get wet...yup!! Did i care ...nope. I still think this is the best place to cross away from the rocks. Glad I crossed in a summers day....! After a quick dunk in the river and wash, I was back at the car after 6.5 hrs...stopped off at Alguish for a quick pint of cold juice and supped up the rays before heading back to the airport......this will be the last of my scottish summer...next time Im up it will hopefully be all white! We shall see..
Anyway, this route takes not a lot of description, so its a quick report.- Start of walk
After staying at Altguish I was well fed and watered. I drove up the road and parked at 278742 just at the end of Loch Glascarnoch. From there I crossed the road and climbed over a stile to enter the bog.
- Bog after stile
- Munro for the day
Even in a day like today with not a cloud in the sky the route across to Abhainn Gharbhrain is truely a bog. Once at the river I was aware that I would ahve to take my boots off. There was a small cairn next to the river which I guessed marks some sort of crossing point...I didnt see the advantage of the spot myself. Anyway, I took my boots off...with no flip-flops in my pack i made do with treading carefully before taking a next step. And it was above knee deep and jaggedy. Getting to the other side and after a brief midge bombardment while I tried to dry my feet with my fleece (doesnt work that well!) I put my boots on and plouged on through the heather.
- River crossing
I was greeted with a fantastic still Loch a' Gharbhrain which offered a perfect reflection of the impressive Beinn Dearg (for another time I think).
- Mirror image
- Beinn Dearg
- More reflections
- Fannichs to west
I couldnt see any obvious track up my munro Am Faochagach so just slowly climbed NE upo to the ridge. As my body was tired, and it was hotting up I had no sun hat...I took it slow slow. I got to the ridge at around 2.5 hrs.
- Slow plod up towards boulder field
- Along the ridge
From there the going got easier with a couple of shorter climbs and cairns to pass, after 2km or so I got to the top 3hr 40mins from start.
- Some cairns and boulders along the ridge for 2km
- White Quartz ? cairn
The top was flat with great views of Beinn Dearg and the Fannich hills where I was across the road on Friday. I could see them this time!!
- Top of Am Faochagach with Beinn Dearg in distance
- Views of other western hills (An Teallach)
- Beinn Dearg
I checked how much water I had as I was aware it was sunstroke weather....so took a sip and after an enjoyable lunch, headed back the same route...on the way down I found a track beside the river which I guess would have made it a bit easier climbing up. Also the river crossing going back I noticed the river outlet nearest Loch a' Gharbhrain looked shallower and flow was slower so I headed there.
- Better crossing point next to lochan
- River returning back
Given that the car was only another km away, I just ploded through...ha...did my feet and boots get wet...yup!!
Did i care ...nope. I still think this is the best place to cross away from the rocks. Glad I crossed in a summers day....! After a quick dunk in the river and wash, I was back at the car after 6.5 hrs...stopped off at Alguish for a quick pint of cold juice and supped up the rays before heading back to the airport......this will be the last of my scottish summer...next time Im up it will hopefully be all white! We shall see..