Beinn Dearg (Fannichs) .... Trying the "Girl Power" Approach

[Fcfraser]

I planned to do three Munros.... being Beinn Dearg, Meall nan Ceapraichean and Eididh nan Clach Geala.
I did my "homework" filled my boots with navigational confidence.... set my alarm clock.... and off I went!!

Parked up in the "new" car park and once booted and suited, set off....

I always find a forest strart the biggest nav. challenge.... however, found my way up and out of tthe forest with ease. The strategically place signs "Beinn Dearg" discounted any doubt in my head!!

Lovely walk up the Glen, plenty waterfalls to stop and wonder at.... as did Tollaidh, who is becoming quite the "Poser" every time she sees the camera!!... Only a Girl!!

How Pretty am I Mum?

I was most intrigued by the line of "white" on the cliff face... it almost looked like Porta cabins on the side of the hill, however when I got the binnoculars out, it was indeed,a line of quartzite, glistening in the morning sunshine.

At this point, I stopped for a snack, before continuing up the hill. At this point, Tollaidh decided she needed 40 winks! (light weight.... only 9 months old, so I will forgive her)

I was startled by the approach of a guy, who initially frightened Miss T out of her wits as she enjoyed her wee slumber!! As one does on the hill, we got chatting, and Lewis from Somerset (a munro completist) was happy to walk with me, he initially had no intention of doing Beinn Dearg, however, deided, for whatever reason, (may have been the pink nail varnish .... "vulnerable woman".... or just my flirtatious charm ... hands up! that will be me!!)

No 87!

Well, I set out to do these on my own, with no help.... however, 1. I was happy to have company and 2. My usual insecurities had set in! So whether it be Vulnerable or flirtatious..... safety is paramount! and I am sticking to that theory!!

So Lewis, my Nuclear Scientist.... well you dont meet one of them every day do you!! was happy to be my Guide for the day! By the time we summited Beinn Dearg, we picked up Peter! and enjoyed his company for a while until he went off to do Cona Mheall.

I was amazed at the drystane dyke up there.... a real work of art.

May have to zoom in to see the wall

Off down we went, finding the path, that we clearly missed on our ascent! no real navigational challenge.... even for a "wifie!"

Beautiful views of all around, Stac Pollaidh in the far distance, An Teallach was being a little moody, hiding a lot in cloud, but popping out now and again, usually when the camera was tidied away!

It didnt take long to get up onto Meall nan Ceapraichean, and then a little tricky leg work down through the boulders to begin the ascent up Eididh nan Clach Geala. There are two cairn up on top.... the first one is the highest... confirmed by my GPS download later!

So down we went, carefully picking our way down.... to rejoin the Stalkers Path back to the car.
I had complained enough about coming back to my Caravan and the cold shower block, that poor Lewis was feeling suitable sorry for me, and invited me back to his holiday cottage for a bath..... I declined.

So my day of navigating all day, with my wits about me.... Fail!.... but a lovely day on the hill, with lovely Company. Solitary navigation can wait for another day!

A sneaky capture of An Teallach.... en route back to base!

[rockhopper]

Enjoyed reading that - one of my favourite trips so far and you certainly had an interesting time. The Beinn Dearg wall is certainly striking - known as the famine or destitution wall, built by local crofters in the 1840s in return for food (from the lowlanders) as they were starving due to the poor harvest resulting in a potato famine - part of the road to Dundonnell is similarly the destitution road (ah, the things I learn from walk reports and Collaciotach) - cheers

[Fcfraser]

Thanks for that Rockhopper! I love to hear local history stories!, the workmanship is incredible, a real work of Art. I thought I had taken a better photo than that, but camera seems to be playing up!

[andyroog]

Good walk,good weather,good company,good pics=great day well done nice report.

[spiderwebb]

Declined a bath...hardy woman !

[simon-b]

Great walk, FC, some nice mountains there. The most demanding bit of navigation, perhaps, is getting from M.n.C. to E.n.C.G. and back to the path. Well done on a mission well accomplished. I bet Tollaidh enjoyed the lochans on that route.

[Fife Flyer]

Very enjoyable read, thanks for that & some excellent photo's too

Fannichs are on my list for next year

[litljortindan]

A good read. Glad to see the weather cleared.

Went round Cona Mheall - Ben Dearg a few years ago but Ben Dearg had cloud on the top so didn't see the view north until I descended a bit but well worth the effort.

We think your dog is very photogenic!