After heading out with Karen (kmai1961), Martin (FF), and Gary (backpacker) on the Saturday we trudged with our previously mentioned, sizeable packs with everything and a couple of kitchen sinks.
(as eloquently described by Martin in his report of the Saturday)This was quickly repaid by the almost spiritual experience of a first cloud inversion that lasted well over an hour and put us on such a high that even when we 'fell off' later
, we still couldn't come down!After saying goodbye to our WH friends, at the eastern end of the Fannichs, we headed back to Sgurr Mor to collect our heavy burdens with dread.
It suddenly looked a very long way!- A long way back to Sgurr Mor...
After battling our fatigue on the long trip back, (and re-united with our heavy packs
) we headed over SM and down to the Loch south of Carn na Criche, where we would pitch camp, not long before dark!- Looks like a nice place to camp.
- Looking back at Sgurr Mor (wasn't an easy descent with our packs!)
- Pitching just before dark.
After a hot meal and donning our down jackets
, we got a great view of the stars. So much more detail to the naked eye, than available near our urban dwellings. Breathtaking.On Sunday morning we awoke in the mist with hazy sunshine, looking up at Sgurr Mor from about 2820 feet.
But, as soon as the direct sunlight arrived the mist cleared, leaving us with a beautiful sunrise, certainly the most memorable for me. Looking down into the Glen over the western side of SM, we caught our first sight of our first cloud inversion. Words and photos don't do it justice, but we'll give it a try.
- Morning treat
Before long the mist rolled in, so we had breakfast (lamb casserole
) and then headed up Sgurr nan Clach Geala, hoping for some views higher up.- Climbing out of the clouds
- Ooh, this should be nice...
- Beinn Dearg in the distance.
- The money shot! Sgurr Mor from Sgurr nan Clach Geala
- Clouds shrouding Sgurr Breac and A'Chailleach
As we descended to Sgurr nan Each, the cloud took over again, but we were not down heartened after the earlier treats of that morning.
- Made a new friend (obligatory wildlife shot)
A quick snack and then back to the tents to pack up and return. The cloud disappeared after the second climbing of SnCG, leaving great views and photo opportunities in all directions.
- Our home for the night (spot the tents)
On returning to pack up the tents, we met the only other person we saw on the hill that day. A real surprise considering the weather. Then headed off to the last of our weekends' seven Munros, Meall a'Chrasgaidh. We had intended to do all nine, but the weight of the packs and all the effort of Saturday's excursion had got the better of us!
- An Teallach and the Fisherfields from Meall a'Chrasgaidh
On the final summit we made the decision to ''straight line'' our return route to the car, instead of the lengthy, gentle path back to the western car park with several miles along the road. This turned out to be both a blessing (quicker) and a curse (steep with a capital S).
It was incredibly steep, but looked so inviting compared to the 'long way round'. - A short cut?
- Hey Chris, how steep is it?
When we looked back up the way we came down, we weren't really surprised that we fell!!
I'm not sure we'd have attempted it, if we had even a glimpse of the look up! - We couldn't believe we came down that, only fell once!
The return back to the car gave some great photo opps, especially as the sun moved behind the hills to our west.
Our final view of the hills, before setting off through the midge swarm in the car.
A fantastic weekend all round.
Saturday was a day of gruelling effort but with good friends on some great hills. Over 6000 feet of ascent. A real achievement as neither of us had ever walked that far with that much kit before.
Sunday was very different, almost effortless by comparison. What a morning wake up, followed by such incredible beauty seemed to rid us of all sense of fatigue. A huge tick on the ''bucket list'' and something I shall never forget. Still on a high after a week!
A huge THANK YOU to all of you on Walkhighlands for all of your encouragement, wisdom, enticing walk reports, tech advice, lifts, sweets but most of all a warm welcome to the club and helping us feed our passion for the hills.
Cheers all,
Chris (jepsonscotland) and Andy (Flump)
Sorry it's taken a week to create, but it's our first go and we've been on different shifts.
Maybe if we start another one now we can use it for our 100th celebration.
One of the benefits of a high camp, makes lugging your stuff up there worthwhile - cheers 
