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:
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.
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.
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.
A fantastic day out, in unexpectedly good conditions.
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:
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.
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.
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.
A fantastic day out, in unexpectedly good conditions.
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Comments: 4
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Clamberer
- 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
- Filter reports
- Trips: 1
- Distance: 11 km
- Ascent: 1220m
- Munros: 3
- Joined: May 15, 2009
- Last visited: Nov 19, 2023
- Total posts: 93 | Search posts