Fine, fine, fine Fannichs

[Beaner001]

West was best according to the weatherman. The plan had been to meet Electricfly in Auchnashellach for the two Sgurrs, however as is the case for many of us hill walkers, plans don’t always go to……well plan. Dad and I set off reasonably early for a 10am meeting at Auchnashellach, however it became apparent that something was up with his car. A hell of a rubbing noise was coming from somewhere. Should have taken mine but no point in retrospects now. What would we do? We decided to push on; 50mph was as quick as we dared to go, this really ruled out any wish of the two Sgurrs as they would be a relatively long day. Dad decided to drive up to the Fannichs for the Western two, not such a long day for them. Arriving just before 12 we set off post haste.

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Start of route beside gate

Looking down track to Loch a'Bhraoin

We followed the track down to the gate that would take you to the old boathouse , we took the left track here to go through the woodland and over the bridge at the end of loch a’Bhraoin.

Bridge over the outflow of Loch a'Bhraoin

Route ahead up to Druim Reidh

We were heading for the ridge Druim Reidh.

Looking back to Loch a'Bhraoin and old Boat house

The ground would have been real soggy had it not been frozen in places. We cut over to head for the path up Druim Reidh. The path was frozen and slippy in places, care had to be taken. There was not much snow left at this height, some small snow fields but nothing that was hampering progress or made us take out crampons and axes. Up ahead I could see a woman coming down using her axe, the route got even more icy the higher we got and we had to take out the axe in case an arrest was required if we slipped. I stopped and spoke to the woman who was nearing the end of her Munro adventure, 28 to go, all the best, I hope you manage to comleat this year. Carrying on we reached a steep snow field which was starting to melt so we got good purchase to enable us to get to the top safely.

Nearing the top, one steep snow field with Sgurr nan Clach Geala in background

I stopped at the cairn marking to route onward and waited for dad to catch up. We then set off along the flats before reaching the wide ridge.

Wide ridge of Druim Reidh ahead

First sight of An Teallach, not it's best profile I'd say

The views over to A’Chailleach and the frozen Loch Toll an Lochain were awesome.

A'Chailleach

A'Chailleach and frozen loch Toll an Lochain

We kept following the ridge to the top – Toman Coinnich. We stopped for a bite to eat here and unloaded the packs for the ascent up A’Chailleach. The cornices off the North East face were huge; I had to keep the dogs as far to the West as possible as they looked like they’d maybe go at any time.

Cornices on way up

The only tricky bit was the summit snow field; it was hard compact snow bordering on ice so care was taken to reach the top.

Summit snow bordering on ice field

Once atop the views were stunning, the Deargs swinging to An Teallach, to Fisherfield, Slioch, Torridon, Fionn Bheinn and the rest of the Fannichs. There was a slight haze that made seeing the Distant Torridon hard but I could still make out Liathach, Beinn Eighe & Alligin.

Looking over to Sgurr Breac from A'Challeach summit

Fisherfields

Slioch

Fionn Bheinn

Slioch Zoomed

Fisherfields zoomed

Eighe & Liathach

Summit dogs

We took a few photos then cut off downward to the South East well away from the ridge, we used the snow field on the way down to make short work of the descent.

Dad coming off summit A'Challeach

We ascended back up to Toman Coinnich to descend back down then upward towards Sgurr Breac. Again cornices were present and care had to be taken. We passed over a big cairn so stood atop it in case as our outward route was to head East and then back down the glen below Sgurr nan Clach Geala to the loch. We then reached two other cairns and unsure of which was the highest we stood atop both.

Dad approaching summit of Sgurr Breac, his Terrier Billy in foreground

Then we descended down more snow slopes to the East and reached the Glen Below. Longer summer days would enable the three Munros to your right to be attempted but we were heading out as we wanted to be at least back to the bridge over the loch by last light. This was a lovely walk down the Glen, the path was decent enough.

Sunset looking over to Meall an t-Sithe north of Loch a'Bhraoin

Looking back to where we'd come from, the beallach between Sgurr Breac and Sgurr nan Clach geala

The main problem of the day was the stinging wind, of course the photos do not show the wind but my face is feeling the effects of wind burn today. I’ll take that any day for another great day in the hills though, especially when we were not sure we’d make it at all. We got back to the car and made the slow drive home, arriving home at midnight, work this am was hard going but my body feels no ill effects so hopefully im getting more hill fit in time for long Spring/Summer days.

[rockhopper]

cracking stuff - that looked most enjoyable despite the wind - am somewhat jealous - cheers

[Huff_n_Puff]

Oh lovely - glad you got an outing despite the car. These are two great hills for the views and you had great conditions - even in the wind. How did the dogs get fare on the ice?

[Beaner001]

cracking stuff - that looked most enjoyable despite the wind - am somewhat jealous - cheers

Haha, im ofter green with envy looking at this site!! My face is stinging as we speak, feels like sun burn

Oh lovely - glad you got an outing despite the car. These are two great hills for the views and you had great conditions - even in the wind. How did the dogs get fare on the ice?

Fine group of hills these, dad and I got beaten back from the Sgurr nan Clach Geala ridge in November (only managed one of the three) so it was great to get back on such a nice day to see what we missed. They seemed to do fine, it was the cornices I was really concerned with but luckily it was not a ridge so we could keep a wide berth
Cheers

[basscadet]

Must take this route into the fannaichs one of these days, looks nice, great pics

[martin.h]

What a fantastic day you and your dad had there Matthew, really nice mountains made special with the conditions you had.
Great report and great photos again, thanks.

[Fife Flyer]

Great stuff, enjoyed that with some cracking photo's

Totally different to when I did those two, probably my worst day in the hills - feet have never been so wet

[litljortindan]

That looks superb.

[Collaciotach]

Top day a bhalaich

[Beaner001]

Must take this route into the fannaichs one of these days, looks nice, great pics

Thanks Basscadet, really lucky with the weather

What a fantastic day you and your dad had there Matthew, really nice mountains made special with the conditions you had.
Great report and great photos again, thanks.

Thanks Marts, days like these make you hungry for more eh

Great stuff, enjoyed that with some cracking photo's

Totally different to when I did those two, probably my worst day in the hills - feet have never been so wet

I can see where your coming from Martin, im just glad the ground was mainly frozen Cheers

That looks superb.

Thanks

Top day a bhalaich

Cheers Colla

[kev_russ]

Fine pics, fine report, fine weather. Weekend wis just braw eh

[electricfly]

Aye, fine weather other than the icy breeze indeed.

Glad you both managed a good day after your mechanical problems. On the plus side, at least you didn't have to listen to my incessant moaning about the length of the walk out from Bealach Bhearnaise!

[Graeme D]

So that's what a round of these two looks like! I was clearly robbed blind when I did them!

Slioch sure is one hell of a monster when zoomed in on from this angle!

[The Rodmiester]

Excellent stuff there Beaner and some cracking photographs. Blue skies and Sun

[Beaner001]

Fine pics, fine report, fine weather. Weekend wis just braw eh

That's a hat trick, cheers kev, a fine weekend indeed

Aye, fine weather other than the icy breeze indeed.

Glad you both managed a good day after your mechanical problems. On the plus side, at least you didn't have to listen to my incessant moaning about the length of the walk out from Bealach Bhearnaise!

Haha, Cheers Eric, we'll maybe be able to catch up for Maoile Lunndaidh!!?

So that's what a round of these two looks like! I was clearly robbed blind when I did them!

Slioch sure is one hell of a monster when zoomed in on from this angle!

Was thinking the same about Slioch Graeme
I'm gonna start keeping my receipts as I'm due a refund on a number of hills that have fleeced me

Excellent stuff there Beaner and some cracking photographs. Blue skies and Sun

Cheers Rod, May be back on the Corbetts this weekend