Bruach na Frithe
Posted: Thu Feb 03, 2011 10:26 amMy partner and I climbed this 'easier' Cuillin during a day of summer-like weather in October 2010 .Could have sunbathed at the top it was so warm and calm.I'm always a bit nervous about the gung ho descriptions of some routes by the SMC which seem to skip over bits which have almost given me a heart attack as I am a bit of a walking coward.
Started from the Glen Brittle car park heading across the moorland and up to the Bealach a Mhaim.Great track -watched a hill fox at one point scuttling through the golden moor grass.Views into Coire na Creiche were stunning.Beyond the nice lochan at the head of the pass , we picked our way across lovely rising ground into Fionn Coire -well named as even high up it was a startling green against the grey rock walls.
The track now was like a stone pavement taking us at a nice incline into the rough upper reaches.
I was really relieved that it was so easy to get onto the main ridge below incredible Am Basteir - even if you only make it to this point it's worth it as the views and situation are awe inspiring.Surroundings are intimidating but felt very safe at this point.
Crossing rough ground to the summit ridge there was initially a rocky cluster to clamber onto and back down again ,but no problems,plenty of room and no sense of the dreaded 'exposure' .
Minor problems started when my partner then thought it would be better not to climb up to the summit itself by the main ridge(which I thought looked fine,really nice ) but to go round the back and up the steep ground on the hill's north side which he'd done before.He had my best interests at heart (not always appreciated at the time if I think I see a line which is more suited to my level of cowardice).But sure enough,it ended up being ground I didnt like - very steep rock, loose (like walking on ball-bearings) and - the crucial bit for someone who hates exposure - my eye soon picked out the big drops below this nasty bit.But we were committed and with silent cursing I made my own jittery way up the final section.I'm sure most folk would just laugh at my assessment of this bit but I went through my usual few minutes of hell.Still, made it to the summit amid big hugs and the usual sheer joy at getting there.Views were absolutely stunning.I had done the hill before about 20 years ago by the North West ridge - only achieved I think because of lousy weather hiding the biggest drops as looking down it this time, I didn't fancy it at all.
We saw a wheatear on the summit too - a real surprise.
A nice roomy summit ,nothing scary at all, so we had a good half hour enjoying the view, soup and oranges and congratulating ourselves on our 50+ year old legs still taking us up ok into these magical places.
I then had my usual palpitations at the thought of going back across that rotten bit on the way down, but took a deep breath and it was over in seconds this time. Much congratulating and a wee hug from my partner at my outwardly calm demeanor(not always achieved).
The walk back out over the moorland section was gorgeous with autumn colours against a deep blue sky.Definitely one to do again - and nowhere near as phyiscally strenous as many other more 'moderate' Munros.
Started from the Glen Brittle car park heading across the moorland and up to the Bealach a Mhaim.Great track -watched a hill fox at one point scuttling through the golden moor grass.Views into Coire na Creiche were stunning.Beyond the nice lochan at the head of the pass , we picked our way across lovely rising ground into Fionn Coire -well named as even high up it was a startling green against the grey rock walls.
The track now was like a stone pavement taking us at a nice incline into the rough upper reaches.
I was really relieved that it was so easy to get onto the main ridge below incredible Am Basteir - even if you only make it to this point it's worth it as the views and situation are awe inspiring.Surroundings are intimidating but felt very safe at this point.
Crossing rough ground to the summit ridge there was initially a rocky cluster to clamber onto and back down again ,but no problems,plenty of room and no sense of the dreaded 'exposure' .
Minor problems started when my partner then thought it would be better not to climb up to the summit itself by the main ridge(which I thought looked fine,really nice ) but to go round the back and up the steep ground on the hill's north side which he'd done before.He had my best interests at heart (not always appreciated at the time if I think I see a line which is more suited to my level of cowardice).But sure enough,it ended up being ground I didnt like - very steep rock, loose (like walking on ball-bearings) and - the crucial bit for someone who hates exposure - my eye soon picked out the big drops below this nasty bit.But we were committed and with silent cursing I made my own jittery way up the final section.I'm sure most folk would just laugh at my assessment of this bit but I went through my usual few minutes of hell.Still, made it to the summit amid big hugs and the usual sheer joy at getting there.Views were absolutely stunning.I had done the hill before about 20 years ago by the North West ridge - only achieved I think because of lousy weather hiding the biggest drops as looking down it this time, I didn't fancy it at all.
We saw a wheatear on the summit too - a real surprise.
A nice roomy summit ,nothing scary at all, so we had a good half hour enjoying the view, soup and oranges and congratulating ourselves on our 50+ year old legs still taking us up ok into these magical places.
I then had my usual palpitations at the thought of going back across that rotten bit on the way down, but took a deep breath and it was over in seconds this time. Much congratulating and a wee hug from my partner at my outwardly calm demeanor(not always achieved).
The walk back out over the moorland section was gorgeous with autumn colours against a deep blue sky.Definitely one to do again - and nowhere near as phyiscally strenous as many other more 'moderate' Munros.
