Sgor an Lochain Uaine only from Glen Einich
Route: Cairn Toul - Braeriach traverse
Munros: Sgòr an Lochain Uaine
Date walked: 20/08/2021
Time taken: 10 hours
Distance: 28km
Ascent: 943m
We climbed Sgor an Lochain Uaine only. We parked at Whitewells where there is space for about 30 cars. Cycling was hard as the gradual uphill path has plenty stones. After about 3 km the track divides. A sign advises going the low route for cyclists. The ferns had grown over the path and it was wet with dew so we, correctly, chose the high route, climbing about 100 metres to the top before a steep descent to join the low route.
There were two streams to ford. Today some of the stepping stones were wet and slippy so I just ran through 1 foot deep water with the bike. With gaiters on I was hardly wet at all! All 5 of us were tired when we dropped off the bikes 500 metres short of Loch Einich.
There is a diagonal path up the slope to the east of the loch that is a lovely gradient though it is eroding. The track takes you through cliffs on to the high plateau at the top of Coire Dhondail. The map reference of this point is NN926980 which I had keyed in to my GPS for the return trip so as not to go over the cliffs! We were now in 100% cloud with 30 metres visibility.
A direct bearing for Sgor an Lochain Uaine takes you over more cliffs so I added 10 degrees to that aiming for just south of the cliff edge. A compass combined with occasional checks of the GPS was the easiest way of guiding accurately. We joined the path from Braeriach there and walked round to Angel's Peak. At the top we met a chap who was going to start a job as a wind turbine computer programmer - interesting!
Back along the same bearing plus 180 degrees and using the track on the GPS in the reverse way, we walked through the still all grey view hitting the cliff gap fine and down the eroding path.
The cycle back for my wife and I was better than expected on the nice slope down. OK a bit awful pushing up the high track but the others went the low way and twice hit boulders and sailing over the handlebars!
10 hours for the trip is long but we are all 5 peri 70. Exhausted but happy.
There were two streams to ford. Today some of the stepping stones were wet and slippy so I just ran through 1 foot deep water with the bike. With gaiters on I was hardly wet at all! All 5 of us were tired when we dropped off the bikes 500 metres short of Loch Einich.
There is a diagonal path up the slope to the east of the loch that is a lovely gradient though it is eroding. The track takes you through cliffs on to the high plateau at the top of Coire Dhondail. The map reference of this point is NN926980 which I had keyed in to my GPS for the return trip so as not to go over the cliffs! We were now in 100% cloud with 30 metres visibility.
A direct bearing for Sgor an Lochain Uaine takes you over more cliffs so I added 10 degrees to that aiming for just south of the cliff edge. A compass combined with occasional checks of the GPS was the easiest way of guiding accurately. We joined the path from Braeriach there and walked round to Angel's Peak. At the top we met a chap who was going to start a job as a wind turbine computer programmer - interesting!
Back along the same bearing plus 180 degrees and using the track on the GPS in the reverse way, we walked through the still all grey view hitting the cliff gap fine and down the eroding path.
The cycle back for my wife and I was better than expected on the nice slope down. OK a bit awful pushing up the high track but the others went the low way and twice hit boulders and sailing over the handlebars!
10 hours for the trip is long but we are all 5 peri 70. Exhausted but happy.
Click to mark this as a great report. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
The Forcan bypass is a difficult path of boulders
Munros: Sgùrr na Sgìne, The SaddleDate walked: 13/07/2021
Distance: 8km
Comments: 2
Views: 993
Bike for Creag Mhor with a safety suggestion
Munros: Creag Mhòr (Glen Lochay)Date walked: 08/09/2020
Distance: 21km
Ascent: 1000m
Comments: 3
Views: 2042
New path after the railway bridge
Munros: Beinn Dubhchraig, Ben OssDate walked: 01/08/2020
Distance: 17.5km
Comments: 1
Views: 1106
Suggested improvements to the instructions.
Munros: Beinn Tulaichean, Cruach ÀrdrainDate walked: 14/02/2019
Distance: 12.5km
Ascent: 700m
Comments: 1
Views: 1979
New car park for Glen Affric Tom a' Coinich and Toll Creagac
Munros: Toll Creagach, Tom a' ChòinichDate walked: 14/09/2018
Distance: 16.5km
Ascent: 1096m
Views: 1817
-
bydand1
- Activity: Mountain Walker
- Mountain: Lochnagar
- Place: Lochnagar
- Gear: A big rusksack
- Member: Reluctant Dragons
- Ideal day out: Two car multi Munro long trip
- Filter reports
- Trips: 2
- Distance: 36 km
- Ascent: 943m
- Munros: 3
- Trips: 2
- Distance: 38.5 km
- Ascent: 1000m
- Munros: 3
- Trips: 1
- Distance: 12.5 km
- Ascent: 700m
- Munros: 2
- Trips: 1
- Distance: 16.5 km
- Ascent: 1096m
- Munros: 2
- Joined: Aug 11, 2013
- Last visited: Feb 08, 2024
- Total posts: 8 | Search posts