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After yesterday’s adventure I promised myself an easy day, so Ciste Dubh it was. I parked the car in a layby along the A87, roughly 1km east of Cluanie Inn. A quick walk along the road, a jump across a ditch just before the bridge and that was the start of a very squelchy walk along An Caorann Beag and the rain didn’t make it any better.
A wet view of Loch CluanieI had started late, hoping to catch the better weather forecast for the afternoon. Lo and behold, 1 hour into the walk, the rain stopped and things started brightening up a bit. I had a chat with a soaked walker who was already on his way back. He said he had struggled with the path up Bealach a’ Choinich. I’m not sure which route up he had taken, because it really was straightforward.
View back from just below the bealachFrom the bealach the ascent to the ridge of Ciste Dubh was less straightforward, what a boggy mess! Somehow I managed to pick a way up without slipping or sinking too deep into the mud. The hill became a bit more solid further on and after a short steep stretch there was the ridge. Very nice!
The ridge aheadIt narrows considerably, before it broadens again. The path is just to the side of the ridge, so the walk along the narrow section was easy, even in today’s brisk wind. From the ridge there is a good view of the summit and you can see why it is called Ciste Dubh.
The black chestUnfortunately the summit cairn didn’t offer much in the way of shelter, so after some pictures and a quick sandwich the descent commenced. Admiring the views would have to be done on the trot.
Summit Ciste DubhNorth Glen Shiel ridgeSgurr nan CeathreamhnanA’ Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choireAm Bathach temptingAllt Cam-banThe North Glen Shiel ridge really stole the show, especially Coire nan Eun with the silvery Allt Cam-ban slithering down. Am Bathach looked like a very tempting return route. And it would avoid the squelchy walk out….
Back at the bealach Am Bathach looked incredibly steep and today was earmarked as an easy day. So, back down the squelch. The weather now really had perked up and the walk out was done in blazing sunshine. Was this the start of summer in Scotland?
Start of summer?