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Another wait for a weather window, this so called summer has been very frustrating, especially for those of us who set ourselves 'reasonable' targets
I advertised the fact that I was heading out & got 2 interested parties Tommy & Jelena. Tommy was planning to kip in his van in Glen Shiel and meet us at the start. I had arranged to pick up Jelena in Inverkeithing at 6am, the plan being to start walking at 9am

This meant Jelena getting up at 3.30AM and then heading north into Fife, very commendable
The drive north was uneventful and I pointed out numerous Munro's on the journey along with the parking & start points, sorry to bore you Jelena

Hope you manage to make the short drive to Creag Meagaidh when you are up at Pitlochry
We arrived at the start point ahead of schedule & Tommy was sitting in his van and waiting patiently, after brief introductions we kitted up and set off. The weather looked OK but out to the west it looked a bit threatening
After the short walk along the main road, we reached the small signpost indicating the start of the walk so we then headed uphill. The path was generally pretty good and improved as we got higher, the gradient was unrelenting but not too steep.
DSCF3906 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, The initial ascent with Loch Cluanie in the background
DSCF3909 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Jelena enjoying the climb
DSCF3916 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Looking down on Loch Cluanie & across to the South Glen Shiel Ridge
DSCF3920 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Our first sight of our first target and it's monster cairn
DSCF3919 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, The final part of the ascent up to A'Chralaig
DSCF3922 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Very impressive cairn
DSCF3924 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Jelena appearing out of the clag
DSCF3925 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Tommy surveying the way ahead
Once we reached the summit of A'Chralaig (the highest summit it Kintail), unfortunately the clag was interfering with the views so not too many photo's were taken, apart from a few of the monster cairn. I did consider climbing to the top for a photo but it wasn't overly warm so after a quick bite to eat we set off to our next destination. Jelena set off first and seemed to be on a mission and she said she was struggling on the first climb
DSCF3926 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Jelena well ahead
DSCF3929 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
As we set off leaving the monster cairn behind little did we know what lay ahead, initially the descent was a rocky, then we started the long walk along 3 different ridges to Mullach Fraoch-choire. The first part was along a wide ridge, then we descended onto a narrow ridge & the final ridge was a bit like a mini Aonach Eagach. The views for the next hour (between the summits) were incredible, with umpteen summits and steep glens to make you want to stop for more photo's
DSCF3933 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Tommy about to reach the first part of the descent
DSCF3935 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, The way ahead, not zoomed
DSCF3936 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, The final ridge looking very impressive
DSCF3944 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, The second ridge, with a good path
DSCF3945 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Looking back, Tommy & Jelena catching me up
DSCF3948 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Looking back to A'Chralaig
DSCF3950 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
DSCF3949 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Jelena posing
DSCF3952 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Looking back
DSCF3956 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Jelena appearing
DSCF3957 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Tommy racing uphill onto the final ridge
DSCF3959 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
Once we got onto the final ridge and the approach to Mullach Fraoch-choire we stopped umpteen times to get numerous photo's.
DSCF3962 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Jelena with a superb backdrop
DSCF3961 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Tommy waiting for us
DSCF3962 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Looking back
DSCF3967 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Tommy leading the way
DSCF3968 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Don't look down
DSCF3969 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
DSCF3972 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Hands needed
DSCF3976 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Posing
DSCF3978 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
DSCF3979 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Posing
DSCF3981 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
DSCF3982 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
DSCF3987 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
DSCF3989 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Looking back
DSCF3992 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Loch Shiel
DSCF3994 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Zoom to Skye in the distance
DSCF3996 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Looking back to A'Chralaig
DSCF3997 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Summit of Mullach Fraoch-choire
DSCF4002 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, Group photo
DSCF4003 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/, A couple of caves?
DSCF4008 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
On the second ridge towards the summit of Mullach Fraoch-choire we noticed the small cairn that indicates the descent route. So once we had taken numerous photo's we commenced the journey back to the vehicles, which meant backtracking along the pinnacled ridge to the start of the descent.
The descent was straightforward initially, a zig zag path makes the steep gradient seem fairly easy. The next bit was down steepish grassy slopes, we all had slipping mishaps, luckily Tommy & I managed to prevent ourselves from hitting the deck. Just as I mentioned the fact, Jelena slipped onto her backside
It was now a matter of trying to pick our way across the boggy damp ground, it was such a shame that the bogfest tried to ruin what had been a fantastic walk. The last 3km of the walk back are on a track which enabled good progress to be made and it wasn't too long before we were back on the road walking back to the vehicles.
These 2 hills have everything any walker could ask for, nice steep ascent, fabulous views, broad and narrow ridges, a bit of scrambling and unfortunately a bogfest
A big Thank You to my 2 companions for the day, I really did enjoy the day
As usual the forecast isn't great for the next few days, was hoping to head to Fort Bill but that may have to wait
So the next outing could be the gathering of the WH clan, really looking forward to that (as usual), let's all hope the summer weather arrives soon
