walkhighlands

The Brothers of Kintail

Route: Brothers Ridge - Sgùrr a Bhealaich Dheirg

Munros: Aonach Meadhoin, Sàileag, Sgùrr a' Bhealaich Dheirg

Date walked: 18/04/2010

Time taken: 7 hours

Distance: 11km

Ascent: 1220m

I had caught the bus down to Kintail with the Moray Mountaineering Club, fully expecting most of the others to be heading for the Five Sisters or the Saddle. I was pleasantly surprised to find I would have some company, as 4 others were also heading my way.

Alighting from the bus at the layby on the A87, we started the ascent up what is possibly the steepest half-k in Scotland. No chance to warm the legs up here, its Up, Up Up all the way. I huffed and puffed my way to the bealach, shedding layers as I went, and was rewarded with this fine view:
Five Sisters from the East.JPG
the Five Sisters from the East.

Looking East from bealach.JPG
East from the bealach


Now the hardest part of the day was over and we could enjoy the ridge walk, in fantastic conditions. hardly a breath of wind and good visibility. Saileag was reached quickly and unremarkably but the good weather meant great views in all directions.

Looking back to Saileag.JPG
Looking back to Saileag.


Soon we were ascending the snowy slopes of Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirgh, the summit of which is out on an interstlingly narrow spur. There was a bit more snow up here, being the biggest hill of the day.
new phone pix 055.JPG
Gigantic summit cairn


Onwards and downwards, quite a considerable loss of height between Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheairgh and Aonach Meadhoin. A wee break at the bealach, where pieces were had and views were admired, then it was up up and away again, following the steepening rocky ridge to Aonach Meadhoin. A wee snow shower chased us to the summit so we didn't linger here. Quite a lot more snow on this hill, particularly on the descent. However after crossing Sgurr an Fhuarail the snow soon disappeared and a long, gentle grassy ridge took us all the way down to the Cluanie Inn.
new phone pix 068.JPG
Cairn at 864m

new phone pix 071.JPG
The famous Cluanie Inn

A fantastic day out, in unexpectedly good conditions.

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Comments: 4


Clamberer


User avatar
Location: Moray
Occupation: Imagineer
Interests: Walking, scrambling and a wee bit of climbing
Activity: Rambler
Mountain: Bla Bheinn
Place: Isle of Skye
Gear: Home made flapjacks!
Member: MCofS
Ideal day out: A long scrambly ridge

Munros: 228
Corbetts: 17
Fionas: 5
Long Distance routes: West Highland Way    Dava Way    Great Glen Way    Moray Coastal Trail   



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Statistics

2010

Trips: 1
Distance: 11 km
Ascent: 1220m
Munros: 3


Joined: May 15, 2009
Last visited: Nov 19, 2023
Total posts: 93 | Search posts