walkhighlands

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. :) :)

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 Saddle
Date 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 Oss
Date walked: 01/08/2020
Distance: 17.5km
Comments: 1
Views: 1106


Suggested improvements to the instructions.

Munros: Beinn Tulaichean, Cruach Àrdrain
Date 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' Chòinich
Date 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


Statistics

2021

Trips: 2
Distance: 36 km
Ascent: 943m
Munros: 3

2020

Trips: 2
Distance: 38.5 km
Ascent: 1000m
Munros: 3

2019

Trips: 1
Distance: 12.5 km
Ascent: 700m
Munros: 2

2018

Trips: 1
Distance: 16.5 km
Ascent: 1096m
Munros: 2


Joined: Aug 11, 2013
Last visited: Feb 08, 2024
Total posts: 8 | Search posts