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Walked this with David Main, we agreed to meet up at Chisolm Bridge the night before so we could get a good early start and boy would we need it.
As everyone knows the track through Gleann nam Fiadh start offs good then descends into a horrible bog trot, I 1st experienced this back in April and yesterday founf out that it doesn't really get much better further on
but there's plenty of water features in the river to keep your mind semi off the bog.
DSC_0005 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0010 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0013 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
We followed the path up to the plateau below Sron Garbh and not paying attention, then went the wrong way
, nothing for it we just decided to walk/crawl up the south east ridge, despite the rather vertical ascent in places there was some avalanche devastation to have a look at.
DSC_0020 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0021 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0023 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
Finally we arrived at the summit of Sron Garbh and out entire day was almost set out in front of us, Beinn Fhionnlaidh was just of view (we actually mistook An Socach for it
) the walk along the ridge was delightful which gave the legs a good rest after the initial slog. as Dave had Roxy (his dog) with him we decided just bypass the pinnacles. Pretty soon we were on the last wee pull to Carn Eige. Once at the top we took in the views had a bite to eat and also had a few choice words when we saw the rather substantial loss in height when looking over to Beinn Fhionnlaidh.
DSC_0025 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0030 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0035 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0039 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
Oh well nothing for it, we made our way down the rather steep descent towards the bealach, bit of care required with the loose rocks but pretty soon we were down. We left or rucksacks next to a rock before heading over to start the climb. It was a bit of a slog to begin with but leveled out soon enough and quickly we arrived on the summit. The views from up here were breath-taking, down Loch Mullardoch, north to Torridon, Fisherfield, The Fannichs. South at this point was starting look a bit grim but the showers would hold off till later.
DSC_0042 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0046 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0047 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
After the usual photo's we heading back to collect our bags then the next bit of hard work would begin. We followed a "path" which promptly disappeared, we headed up slightly and picked up another one, which disappeared. Rather than continue to go looking we just traversed the hill upwards towards the bealach below Mam Sodhail, this required a bit more effort as we had to cross quite a few rocky patches when suddenly we ended up on another path which had come up from below us. God knows where it started but it was a god send at that time as the legs were starting to really feel heavy.
DSC_0059 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0058 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
Once at the bealach we had another rest before the pretty quick but steep ascent up to the very impressive cairn at the summit. Again it was photo's, take in the views before we headed off down the ridge. It was brilliant to be finally be on something more undulating and it didn't take us long to get over to Sgurr na Lapaich.
DSC_0061 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
DSC_0062 by
GaryE1872, on Flickr
By this time the rain had started so cameras were away in rucksacks and the slow steep slog downwards began, I've never got on with poles for hillwalking but by God I wish I had taken one, my knees were screaming at me at times. Once down at the boggy section we just made a direct beeline for the prominent bend in a track which would take us back to the cars.
Despite having 2 cars neither of us had thought to take one to the Glen Affric car park until we were well into the walk
Rest of my photos can be found here
https://flic.kr/s/aHskiP12KA