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Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 5:06 pm
by jacob
When returning from Scotland last September, I only found time for one WR, https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=92315, but ofcourse this was not my only little adventure.
After the above linked walk, and having arrived back in Kinlochewe, I headed south, to meet a friend on Arran. I must admit it was a long drive for a walk up only Beinn Tarsuinn the next day and then back up north. I had planned on a longer multiday walk on Arran, but company means compromise.
As I arrived in Kintail too late to summit, I headed up the excellent footpath to Beinn Fhada, hoping for a nice campspot before dark.
I found it at the waterfall, where on the map is shows a triangle (for tent)_

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After a good night's sleep, I broke up camp and headed upstream, towards the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge. From there I scrambled up to the plateau of Beinn Fhada, to find myself lost in clag. Sloppily following compass needle I passed the summit, to find myself out of the clag in pretty nice weather way to far east. At the summit views were amazing and I stayed there a good hour for photos and admiring the views. Here's some pics.

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The approach


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A perfect campspot. Dinner & bedtime.


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Heading up the next morning, nothing but deer for company.


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Almost at the bealach, looking back on the way of ascent and wildcamp


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On the ridge now, looking at the northern slopes of the Sisters.


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No views on the ridge


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Looking back on the ridge, once I've reached the summit plateau


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Local herbivors


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Loads of moody pics, before the skies opened up.


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In clag, I had walked past Fhada's summit. I only realised this when skies cleared up. Here's a much to easterly view on Loch Cluanie


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Retraced my steps, got to the summit in great weather.


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I am sorry, but I couldn't resist a panorama


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Nor a selfie of some off-centre sort


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Crags of the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge


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Beautifully lit crags


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The way out


More to come soon on beautiful Kintail

Re: Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 8:14 pm
by Silverhill
Great to see this hill from a different angle! 8)

Re: Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Mon Dec 23, 2019 11:21 pm
by dav2930
Looks a good route. The crags of the ridge in your photos look very striking. I've not been up Beinn Fhada yet; thanks to your report I'm rather looking forward to it. :)

Re: Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Thu Dec 26, 2019 7:11 pm
by jacob
Silverhill wrote:Great to see this hill from a different angle! 8)


dav2930 wrote:Looks a good route. The crags of the ridge in your photos look very striking. I've not been up Beinn Fhada yet; thanks to your report I'm rather looking forward to it. :)


Thanks Silverhill and Dav. The ridge surely is a plus, giving extra interest to the route. However never during the easy scramble did it feel like the photo of the crags suggests.

Re: Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Thu Jan 02, 2020 10:07 pm
by Roger n Sue Fellows
A fabulous mountain. To continue along the ridge to Beinn Buidhe is eminently possible. The ridge may require four-point contact in some places. If you're worried by the prospect of a scramble choose a day with plenty of hours daylight and be prepared to reverse to join your ascent route.

My wife says beware of ticks as you walk down the ridge into the fenced area. Bracken and heather with no obvious continuous path.

Re: Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Fri Jan 03, 2020 1:00 pm
by Mal Grey
Very atmospheric photos, and a wonderful spot to camp before an excellent looking walk.

Re: Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Sat Jan 04, 2020 11:46 pm
by Alteknacker
Some great pics. I hope to be enjoying similar views in a couple of weeks' time... ...though ideally with more than a little dusting of the white stuff.

Re: Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 11:10 am
by Sunset tripper
Nice one Jacob. Cracking hill. I did a similar route to that last year. :D

Re: Beinn Fhada via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge

PostPosted: Sun Jan 05, 2020 12:22 pm
by jacob
Roger n Sue Fellows wrote:A fabulous mountain. To continue along the ridge to Beinn Buidhe is eminently possible. The ridge may require four-point contact in some places. If you're worried by the prospect of a scramble choose a day with plenty of hours daylight and be prepared to reverse to join your ascent route.

My wife says beware of ticks as you walk down the ridge into the fenced area. Bracken and heather with no obvious continuous path.


Thank you RnSF. I was aware of the route you describe, but decided against because I headed for a proper wildcampspot, which I wasn't sure I' d get on that route. I'd love to do it one time, but too much on my bucket list already, and there's sadly too little holidays and Scotland' s too far away.

Mal Grey wrote:Very atmospheric photos, and a wonderful spot to camp before an excellent looking walk.


Thanks Mal, yes the spot was wonderful. Flattest ground ever found wildcamping.

Alteknacker wrote:Some great pics. I hope to be enjoying similar views in a couple of weeks' time... ...though ideally with more than a little dusting of the white stuff.


Thanks A'knacker. Overlooking the Sisters in more than little dusting must be a great view. Fingers crossed for you, please write a WR if you get what you wished for.

Sunset tripper wrote:Nice one Jacob. Cracking hill. I did a similar route to that last year. :D


Thanks S T. As I said, I think taking on the ridge as well is of added value to the WH route, both for excitement, as for passing two corries instead of one.