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This weekend it was time to carry on my Kintail love affair, as I continue picking off the north Glen Shiel ridge from east to west. So, it was A’Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire, with a pretty reasonable forecast for the morning and early afternoon, but unfortunately a less than promising mid to late afternoon
Parking up things looked pretty good weather wise. The views weren’t bad either from the roadside
- The start of the day
Early on this was a bit of a shock to the system. Over recent weeks I’d been used to long walks in to the hills, but this was a case of crossing the road, a few yards up a landrover track and then heading off onto an, at times, very boggy path straight up the side of the south ridge of A’Chralaig
Man, was it steep in places. But the views back to Loch Cluanie and the South Glen Shiel ridge gave me good excuses to stop often for some ‘photo opportunities’
- View down to South Glen Shiel Ridge
On the way up the side of the hill I’d been passed by three chaps, who quickly disappeared ahead of me (I eventually saw them to speak to again as I was heading up onto Mullach Fraoch-choire and they were heading down).
As I finally heaved myself up onto the ridge that was really the hard work of the day over. From this point forward the walk along the ridge to A’Chralaig and then onto Mullach Fraoch-choire was nothing but a pleasure
After an initial moment where low cloud covered my first target (there was a fair old wind, so I knew that wouldn’t be hanging around for too long) it was a case of fantastic views all round, with cloud free Munros to my right, left in front and behind
- Cloud on A'Chralaig
- Sgurr nan Conbhairean
- Loch Cluanie
- Toward the Brothers
- Heading up A'Chralaig
- Early view of Mullach Fraoch-choire
And all on good paths all along the way.
At the start of this walk I’d had a serious lack of motivation, and the initial steep walk up on to the ridge hadn’t helped much. But once on the ridge this really was one of those days when the walking was just so good it was almost a shame to reach each summit as easily and quickly as I did.
- The understated (ha ha ha) summit cairn on A'Chralaig
Did I mention the views? Oh yeah, they were excellent. Even so, I was left wanting more, as this walk was delivering much more than I had even expected. The weather was really holding up well (better than expected) and on top of great views of the Kintail area there were also excellent views looking north to Glen Affric and the Mullardoch’s. I was making plans for 2012 (MrsR be warned, I may be purchasing a tent
).
- Five sisters
- Mullach Fraoch-choire
- View toward Loch Affric
Heading down off A’Chralaig and onto Mullach Fraoch-choire and the nature of the walk changed, but for me it just got even better as the ridge narrowed nicely on Na Geurdain and up to the summit of Mullach Fraoch-choire.
- Mullach Fraoch-Choire......again
- View back toward A'Chralaig
- View to the pinnacles
There is a suggestion this might be a tricky section (which the three chaps who’d passed me earlier suggested as we met again). I’d also read about a possible dodgy step along this section, but I’d have to say that at no time was there any real difficult. For sure, it was a narrow path and I wouldn’t want to fall off it, but it never really posed that sort of a threat. Obviously it would be a different proposition in winter with a good covering of snow. Mmmmm, now there’s a thought
- Path on the pinnacles
- More of the pinnacles
- Looking back to A'Chralaig
- Mullach Fraoch-choire
- Glen Affric hills
- Glen Affric from Mullach Fraoch-choire
The really good thing about this route is you get to come back along this nice, narrow ridge again in order to make your way back to the roadside
- Heading back
- Ciste Dhubh
- Beinn Fhada?
I decided to drop down into Coire Odhar and then make my way via a very boggy path down into An Caorann Mor. Did I say boggy? Oh yeah, plenty boggy
But it all made for a fairly quick descent off the hill and back onto a track which eventually led to the landrover track I’d started this walk on. From then it was a straightforward walk back to the car and a final view of the South Glen Shiel Ridge before heading home.
- Final view of South Glen Shiel Ridge
All in all another excellent walk in what has to be fast becoming one of my favourite walking areas in the Highlands. I’d managed to beat the weather, as the rain I’d been expecting didn’t arrive until I was back in the car and heading south. And then, when it did rain, it rained
Thank goodness I’d not had the (dubious) pleasure in walking in that