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This weekend was spent with the Scottish Hillwalkers - Brothers Ridge/Ciste Dubh/Am Bathach the targets
The last 3 outings i've had in Kintail have been spectacular, i was hoping for more of the same
Due to a head on car crash near Luss (A82) it took 6 hours to reach the Kintail Lodge - we arrived at 11pm. We heard nothing more of the crash victims, hope there ok. We had a beer in the KL and it was decided that we would seperate into 2 groups of 10 for the walk. Group 1 starting at 7.30am and group 2 8am, group1 would not take in the Corbett Am Bathach - thankfully i was in group 2
We arrived at Cluanie car park at and set off at 8.15pm. We would be doing this walk East to West which meant starting with Am Bathach
We headed North up the well defined path for a 100M before striking NE and crossing the Allt A Chaoriann Bhig. I was last to cross and noticed my mate Stevie wasn't with us
Surely he couldn't have got lost leaving the car park
I couldn't phone him as i left my phone at KL!! We discussed options and decided that Stevie had probably headed along the path and would reach the other group at the Bealach a Choinich.
We started the steep ascent of Am Bathach which soon got the blood pumping
Views SE to Loch Cluanie
It wasn't long till on the ridge at 734M. A gradual 64M climb over 1km took us to the summit of Am Bathach at 798, the clag was thick and soft snow underfoot - for a Corbett this was a tough start!!.
We didn't hang around and made our way to the bealach and North to Ciste Dubh
Looking back to Am Bathach
The views appeared, and just as quickly went, as we started to spread out heading to CD.
Looking back along the start of the ridge for CD
It was then the 1st group started to pass us - they summited CD and were heading to Munro 2. "have you seen Stevie"? No was the reply, but did i see the helicopter lifting a guy with a red jacket - WTF
It was this point Stevie came smiling over the ridge. He was sorting his gear and missed the team talk. He thought the 1st group was us and headed to them, he couldn't believe how fast we where going....dafty
Soon the top of CD was in view and the last ascent to reach it - it looked awesome
I decided to stick on the crampons as the ridge was narrow in parts and the drop either side was uber steep
-this provided much needed confidence
Final ascent to CD
The ascent to CD lived up to my expectations and provided magnifecent views back to Am Bathack and East to MFC.
I managed to test the HD video mode on the new camera - vids at end of TR
So it was back down to the bealach and we headed SW to firstly reach the top of Sgurr an Fhurail before heading West to munro number 2 - Aonach Meadhoin. The next few hours would presented thick clag, snow storms and poor visibility - brilliant
. You begin to feel the sense of adventure now
. I met and had a good chat to Ron and Graeme from Inverness - we discussed the addictive qualities of hillwalking....thank goodness we didn't fall into that category
Took a quick photo of the guys and wished them well.
After reaching Aonach Meadhoin we made our way to Munro 3 - Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg
How not to do an ice axe self arrest....
The last 50M of SBD was enjoyable, it was narrow with steep sides, and took you to a large pointy cairn which seemed to be balancing on the tip of the ridge.
By now what was left of the 2 groups had joined as one. Malcolm, who led group 2, had to abandon the walk and support a fellow walker down who had done his knee in. 2 other walkers had steemed ahead and would finish an hour ahead of the group. The pace slowed down as another walker had cramp, but he bravely soldiered on and finished the walk.
So what was left of the group made tracks West for the final Munro - Saileag
Soon the awe of the Five Sisters came into view, thankfully we now had clear views and the sun was shining.
We all got to the top safely and hung around for a bit taking in the breathtaking views.
Some of us so happy we danced....
Yours truly with the sisters behind me
We headed West to Bealach na lapain then south, the descent was very steep. I had remembered this from last year as i ascended it to start the Five Sisters.
We got in the cars and headed back to KL. We all showered, changed and enjoyed some great food, beer and banter into the wee small hours. Drove home on Sunday.
This was another fantastic outing with the Scottish Hillwalkers.
Below is a slideshow and 3 short HD vids i took with the new TZ10 - enjoy
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BST-K-pwPkg&hd=1[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYjE2iJgHJQ&hd=1[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glYH90MpYkE&hd=1[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aW7wvPh3noM&hd=1[/youtube]
