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Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return


Postby spiderwebb » Tue Aug 04, 2015 2:20 pm

Munros included on this walk: Mullach na Dheiragain, Sgùrr nan Ceathreamhnan

Date walked: 03/08/2015

Time taken: 12 hours

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When I was planning this walk I thought of Mr McNeish and some time back seeing him on TV, an advocate of walking off track, and the fact it would save a lot of these motorways of tracks up and down hills. But the only books I’ve seen written by him are the exact opposite, the tourist routes, Munro bagging books, get up, down, tick it off….maybe I’ve missed one.

Todays trip would be to take in Mullach an Dheiragain and Sgurr an Ceathreamhnan. Originally the plan for a few weeks back when my pal from London came up, train booked, so no turning back. But turn back we did after a walk of 7 hours constant rain and severe gust on the second hill, But we had a good laugh and a wild camp for two nights…..slept like logs.

So to todays walkies, a Bank Holiday, a blessing for those of us with not so much leave….. to return for Mullach na Dheiragain via Morvich. A route up through the bealach between Fhada and A Ghlas Bheinn, down to the loch and then some ‘off road’, a rising traverse up to about 600m, which would give me a level section for a breather after the steep ascent before the final ascent of Ceathreamhnan along its southern spur. Along the ridge and left out to Dheiragain.

Return was to be the same route, but by chance Eric, Shona and the springer pack were off to Kintail to do the Sisters, Brothers and out via Ciste Dubh and Camban bothy…jeez thought I had a long day. We met at their start, and arranged to note in the visitors book at Camban when we passed through so whoever followed would know they were ahead.

The forecast was not looking too good for the first part of the day, but improving hmm. Departed the car park at 0800hrs and within a few minutes the waterproofs were out but on reaching the bealach beneath Fhada and Ghlas Bheinn the view to the loch, and the sun making an appearance.

WH1.jpg


And a coffee break, the bealach in the gap behind.

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A short distance beyond the loch I broke off on the steepest part of the ascent, trackless to reach the aforementioned 600m ish point. The view back, I ascended from the loch across the flanks of the right hand hill, level across the bit in the middle and then up onto Sgurrr nan Ceathreamhnan, more or less following the posts. The first section in full waterproofs for the second time, but it was brightening up.

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Views began to open up, within the clouds playing their atmospherics.
View to Kintail and Ciste Dubh, Eric, Shona and the pack are in there somewhere.

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And the cloud boiling in the bealach, love days like these. Atmospheric :D

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Despite the summit clearing as I approached it blew in again so no views again on my second visit inside a month. But descending onto the airy ridge a view back as it cleared.

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I was surprised how airy this section was, although short, the gusting 45mph winds made it interesting.
Short distance to the ridge leading out to Dheiragain and my first view of the next leg, Dheiragain still hidden away in the distance.

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View of the perfectly formed glen beneath Dheiragain …come on sun you can do it.

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Looking back up the descent route…ooft I got to return up there.

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Last leg to Dheiragain summit ahead

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And eventually the summit with the route behind, jeez looks a long way out.

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Pano from the summit looking back.

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The return from Dheiragain back to the top of the ridge was a tad arduous on tired legs but passed fairly quickly and with the afternoon becoming a gorgeous day made it all the more special as views opened up all around.
Pano looking west from Sgurr nan C’s East top, its true summit on the left of picture, with views out to Skye and the sea.

WH13.jpg


Traverse back over the ‘airy short ridge towards Sgurr nana C’s true summit

WH14.jpg


And its headwall complete with August snowfields.

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Views to Skye

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And zoomed to the Skye Bridge

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Happy days

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Descent was to be by the same route. The legs still had to get me down, across slope, never easy, and I couldn’t see me making the return via Camban, but rewarded with views across to Mullach Fraoch Coire and Ciste Dubh in a stunning afternoon.

WH19.jpg


The huge bulk of Fhadas northern corries picked out in the evening sun.

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And A Ghlas bheinn across the loch, stunning.

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Near the summit of the bealach a final look back to Sgurr nan C peeking out over Sgurr Gaorsaic, across A Ghlas bheinns 45 degree rock strata.

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Happier still now I’m back at the bealach, all downhill from here.

WH23.jpg


It was long hill shift but then summers clock has turned the corner, summer possibly missed us completely. Those plans for those long walks, for this being the time of year for them, like so many plans, just talk, will have to be shelved soon as the year runs out, darkness creeps in and winter singles becomes the norm…..Hmm, not so bad then winter, now we’re talking.
After 12 hours on the hill I was a bit buggered, but got home in time to cut the grass (brown bin tomorrow) as the gardeners on strike and the butler refuses manual work lol. Then dinner, shower and bed for an early work in Aberdeen phew !
Editors note: The selfies are in by special request
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spiderwebb
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby basscadet » Tue Aug 04, 2015 4:23 pm

Sounds like it would of been easier just doing the Mullardoch 12 :lol:
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby spiderwebb » Tue Aug 04, 2015 4:30 pm

basscadet wrote:Sounds like it would of been easier just doing the Mullardoch 12 :lol:


:lol: :lol: Yeah right, maybe next time
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spiderwebb
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby dooterbang » Tue Aug 04, 2015 8:54 pm

Hey I seen some boiling clouds too :wink:

Well done on getting back in there so quickly! Nice lunch spot :)

Surprisingly I've still to do the Mullardoch 12... :?

Nice lightbeams in the first photo, very nice.
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby mountain thyme » Tue Aug 04, 2015 9:56 pm

Nice one Dave. That selfie stick is well used now :lol: I was waiting to see if you posted the relaxing showercap pose :shock:
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby Collaciotach » Wed Aug 05, 2015 9:58 pm

Enjoyed that :clap: :clap: aye Winter is round the corner that was some "Summer" :wink:
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby ancancha » Wed Aug 05, 2015 10:15 pm

A nice cheerie report despite this summers sulky non appearance :clap:
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby spiderwebb » Thu Aug 06, 2015 6:23 am

dooterbang wrote:Hey I seen some boiling clouds too :wink:

Well done on getting back in there so quickly! Nice lunch spot :)

Surprisingly I've still to do the Mullardoch 12... :?

Nice lightbeams in the first photo, very nice.


12....12 !!!! :lol: Yep, hmm have a chat with Monty on that one :D

mountain thyme wrote:Nice one Dave. That selfie stick is well used now :lol: I was waiting to see if you posted the relaxing showercap pose :shock:


Showercap pose :lol: That would scare folks MT, you know what I mean :D

Collaciotach wrote:Enjoyed that :clap: :clap: aye Winter is round the corner that was some "Summer" :wink:


Thank you Collaciotach it was a superb walk, one of my best :D
ancancha wrote:A nice cheerie report despite this summers sulky non appearance :clap:


ancancha wrote:A nice cheerie report despite this summers sulky non appearance :clap:


Yep summers not exactly held on, if it arrived at all, but thank you, I'm a cheery chap, bit gullable maybe, but cheery :lol:
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby Petr Dakota » Thu Aug 06, 2015 8:01 am

Well done in this "summer's" weather condition ! :clap: :)
Glad you had some great views despite the clouds 8) :D :clap:
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Re: Affric double, Mullach nan Dheiragain the return

Postby spiderwebb » Thu Aug 06, 2015 9:04 pm

Petr Dakota wrote:Well done in this "summer's" weather condition ! :clap: :)
Glad you had some great views despite the clouds 8) :D :clap:


Thanks Petr, noticed you've been getting a fair few done of late too :D
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