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To the north of the Five Sisters of Kintail lies a single massive mountain, Beinn Fhada. It's well named the 'long mountain' as it extends east to west for 9 km and takes up as much space as the Five Sisters.
Beinn Fhada from Sgurr Fhuaran of the Five Sisters
It was Andrew's idea to climb Beinn Fhada and he had brought along his two Shelties, Blaze and Bramble. We parked at the end of the road and followed the right of way east up Gleann Choinneachain below the craggy north face of Sgurr a'Choire Ghairbh.
Sgurr a' Choire Ghairbh (Beinn Fhada's west top) from A' Ghlas-bheinn on a duller day than the day we climbed Beinn Fhada
Zoomed shot of Loch Duich from near start of walk
Blaze looking back down the path in Gleann Choinneachain
We had to cross the Allt Choire an Sgairne
Burn easily crossed on boulders - even for the Shelties who unlike labs prefer to keep their paws dry
Coire an Sgairne
Walking up the zig zag path
Blaze and Bramble waiting patiently while the rest of the group caught up
Looking back the way we came
Above the zig zags we joined the stalker's path south up the corrie on to the ridge of Meall a' Bhealaich then south along the ridge on to the wide summit plateau of Beinn Fhada.
Claire and a glimpse of Loch a' Bhealaich from Meall a Bhealaich ridge
At the top we met a guy who offered to take a photo of us at the summit.
Group at Beinn Fhada summit
Our friendly photographer heading off towards the crags of Coire an Sgairne
View east down Gleann Gniomhardh to Glen Affric
View south to the Brothers ridge and Ciste Dubh
View north over A' Ghlas-bheinn towards the distant Torridons
Leisurely lunch in the sun with stunning views of the Sisters to the west
Before leaving the top a last look east towards the Alltbeithe YH at foot of An Socach
Start of the descent over the summit plateau of Plaidh Mhor
This was a beautiful day of brilliant blue skies and vivid green mountains and I'm not sure why it has taken me so long to write it up! But since Blaze is no longer with us I do so now in honour of a great wee dog who so loved to walk the hills with Andrew - both here in the Highlands and on holiday in the Lake District.
Blaze in his preferred position, up close to Andrew, this time on the South Glenshiel ridge