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Last year I was trying to build up my endurance with a view to a walk up A' Mhaighdean. In fact, last October I would've gone there if I'd felt up to it but opted instead for Beinn Airigh a' Charr.
Auspicious looking weather forecasts got me thinking this walk might be a possibility again so I got thinking about it and one trip report indicating the way in from Kinlochewe was reasonable got me thinking particularly of minimising the duration.
Set off from Aberdeenshire at 2.30am and got to the car park for 5.30am. I then had the next six or so miles broken down in my mind into three two mile sections at the end of which I'd have a wee break, some food and some water. This worked very well and got me to the loch end in good shape for 8.30am.
What I'd read about the next two miles had sounded quite encouraging but I have to say I personally wouldn't describe this peaty, boggy section as good ground; I certainly slowed down quite a lot here and didn't get to the foot of the hill proper until 11am. Half speed then, so a little dispiriting. That said, once my mind was made up, and the loch end was the decision point if I was to head elsewhere, I was pretty focussed on getting where I was aiming for with little thought to contingency if things didn't go well. No need for such retrospective worry though as things really couldn't have gone much better.
The snowy eastern/southern flank that had looked from a distance like it might be problematic, turned out to be very snow free at the southern edge and the short steep section mid way up was nothing more than a walk over some rocks.
The legs were working well too, which isn't always guaranteed. And the temperature, improving weather and improving terrain were combining into a perfect storm of ideal walking conditions. This long edge leading up to the top was superb with line upon line of ridges and lochs revealed to the south and a tantalising glimpse of the view west out over Fionn Loch also slowly revealing itself.
The best possibly left for last as the main top is found to be set slightly apart from the end of the edge leading up towards it. The best at least for this route from Kinlochewe.
I had a good look at the views but decided against wandering further north as I was quite happy with where I'd got to and reversing it all was in mind. It was 1pm and I wanted to get back across the bog before dark so couldn't afford to delay too long.
Twenty two years earlier I was walking around some of the other Fisherfield Munros and we'd decided to cut out A' Mhaighdean. Since then I've had it mind to return to the area. Glad I did!
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
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John Little, on Flickr
