I dropped the bike off at the Cluanie Inn car park for the return journey and parked up at the layby at Malagan. Usual story, couldn't find the start of the path, the correct start is via the gate and the path towards The Saddle. It branches off to the left fairly quickly.
IMG_0461 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrThe path I followed doesn't seem to be the one marked on the map, but it led to a crossing point on the small river and the dry conditions meant that it was a straight forward crossing on stepping stones.
IMG_0463 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrFrom there, it was just a case of following the path upwards and enjoying the views.
IMG_0465 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrSgurr na Sgine
IMG_0471 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLooking back to the car
IMG_0475 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrSgurr na Sgine and The Saddle
IMG_0478 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLooking down Glen Shiel
Once up on the ridge, it's a fairly straight foward walk, other than a bit where there's a bit of a sheer drop, but it's an easy scramble down.
IMG_0480 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrCreag nan Damh
I think it was probably the story of my day, getting to the top just as the cloud came down.
IMG_0481 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrCreag nan Damh summit cairn
I did have a moment when I came back down out of the cloud on the other side as it took a moment to convince myself I hadn't taken the wrong ridge line as at this point there wasn't an obvious path to follow.
IMG_0482 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrMassive bulk of Sgurr an Lochain hiding in the cloud
IMG_0485 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrSummit of Creag nan Damh out of the clouds again now that I've left
IMG_0489 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrSgurr an Lochain summit
Again, I reach the top just as the cloud comes back in!
IMG_0491 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrSgurr an Lochain summit cairn
Coming down the other side the cloud started clearing again and gave some nice views all around
IMG_0492 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrRidge line towards Sgurr an Doire Leathain
IMG_0496 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrCoire an Lochain
On the way up Sgurr an Doire Leathain I passed a couple of guys heading in the other direction, the only walkers I see all day.
IMG_0505 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLooking back at Sgurr an Lochain
IMG_0502 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrFinally! a summit with views, Sgurr an Doire Leathain
IMG_0506 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrStill a lot of walking to do!
The walk over to Maol Chinn-dearg is straight forward
IMG_0517 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLooking back at Sgurr an Doire Leathain
IMG_0518 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLooking towards Aonach air Chrith
IMG_0519 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrScrambly bit on the way up to Aonach air Chrith
IMG_0524 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrAonach air Chrith summit cairn
IMG_0527 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrDruim Shionnach summit cairn
IMG_0528 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrGot a bit narrow here
IMG_0531 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLast stretch out to Creag a' Mhaim
IMG_0537 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLooking back at Druim Shionnach
IMG_0538 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLast summit of the day, Creag a' Mhaim
The descent off of Creag a' Mhaim was a struggle at the end of the day as the legs were immensely weary and the thought of another 5km walk back to the bike didn't exactly help.
IMG_0541 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLooking towards Claunie Inn
IMG_0545 by matthew_chalmers, on FlickrLooking down the ridge from the road side
Once on the bike though it was short work and mostly downhill back to the car, though I was almost ran over by someone who missed me by inches and then promptly almost went off the road in a panic in front of me!
