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A very late start (just gone 11am) from a lay-by just over 1km east of the Cluanie Inn. We walked back up the road and turned left up the track signposted for Glen Affric and Morvich. After a short distance an indistinct path leads off up the very steep slopes of A’Chralaig. It promised to be a good day
- South Glen Shiel Ridge
but it was hard going as we were carrying camping gear and food for 3 days.
- The steep slopes of A'Chralaig
I could never manage this sort of thing without my trekking poles these days
. It was a great relief to reach the ridge
- On the ridge: looking towards the summit
where the gradient relented a bit as we approached the huge summit cairn. There were magnificent views all round with huge corries on the east side
- Corries
and the low level path through An Caorann Mor on the west. It looked a long way to Mullach Fraoch-choire but it was an interesting walk along a fine ridge with a few rocky pinnacles.
- Pinnacles on the ridge
It is amazing how a heavier than usual load makes you reconsider clambering over the rocks. What I would normally think of as “the cheats path” suddenly became very attractive!
Glen Affric still looked a long way off from the summit
- Glen Affric
- Mullach Fraoch-choire
- Beinn Fhada and A Ghlas bheinn
- Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan
and indeed it was another couple of hours before we crossed the bridge over the River Affric near the hostel.
- Alltbeithe Hostel
Taking the direct route down to the bridge was a mistake: it was very steep and lower down was extremely boggy. Katie fell over twice whilst I managed to remain upright only by proceeding with extreme caution.
Better to keep to the ridge although it is a bit further. But we made it! There are a couple of deer fences at the bottom that can be crossed by means of stiles.
- At the bridge
We found a good camping spot by the river and soon had water on for tea.
- Cream crackered!
A stiff breeze kept the midges at bay: little did we anticipate how many there would be waiting for us in the morning.