Striking the balance between too early (not enough hill fitness) and too late (not enough daylight) in the summer was going to be challenging. Factor in weather (only good was acceptable) and folks availability and there was probably only 3 possible dates. The first option saw bad weather and Joe in Spain but the next available looked great – solid forecast giving a two day weather window and folks were available.
We left Glasgow and headed north on the Saturday stopping to watch the finish of the Creag Dubh Hill Race (I had planned on running it but sadly the timing did not work out) before continuing north. Dinner in the Aultguish and we left midge hell aka the car park at Coire Haille just after 7pm.
The track over to Shenevall was fairly dry and we crossed both rivers without incident at last light. Our plan revolved around camping high up Glean na Muice to give a good starting point to what was sure to be a long day. With time pressing on, we opted for a nice bit of level ground and got the tent up. The Mountain Hardwear 3 man might not be the lightest tent but it was bombproof and more important midge proof. Joe and myself had a cup of tea before heading off to sleep.
Next morning we woke to what sounded like rain but in fact was thousand of midges on the flysheet – Joe headed out to answer the call of nature ….and nature tried to eat him! With no prospect of spending any time stationary, we got up and headed up the glen. Thankfully, we were able to stop for breakfast higher up on the slope below the summit of Ruadh Stac Mhor. Once on the summit we could see the expanse of the round we were attempting. A short drop down the back, another climb saw us on A Mhaighdean (my favourite Munro for a number of reasons). It was good to be able to pick up some water on both the start and the end of the traverse across to Beinn Tasuinn since it felt increasingly warm.
Heading to Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair I felt confident we were going to complete the six Munros but there was still a lot of ground to cover. The descent off the fifth Munro Sgurr Ban took forever – down a boulder field / scree …not what tired legs were in the mood for. After the last summit of Beinn a Chlaideimh, I ran down to start packing the tent. Radioed up to Joe to let him know the midges were not too bad but by the end of the sentence …was swarmed. Midge hood on and I continued to pack things away just in time for my Dad and Joe to arrive, pack and continue towards the bothy (we didn’t fancy another evening of self defence).
Arrived at the bothy just after dark and had a well needed meal ! Had some chat with a couple of guys from Paisley one of which was down to his final nine Munros.
Next morning we simply walked back out to the car – just in time for the weather window to close and the rain to arrive back !
The Campsite looking back towards An Teallach
Joe and my Dad on A Mhaighdean
perfect, well except for the midge part. it's been too long since we were up your way.
ReplyDelete..are the fisherfield hills the most remote?
Aye - in terms of Munros ...the Fisherfield get my vote for the most remote. Getting back out to the road is almost as hard a climb as getting into them.
ReplyDeleteMidge season is due to finish soon - despite the hard winter, things were as bad as ever this year. Hope to see you soon
might be up beginning of oct for a bit of crr reccie'ing -not me but for a friend. might you fancy a day out?
ReplyDeleteAye - for sure ! Work is a bit silly just now but let me know when you are coming up.
ReplyDeletehola, we're planning on driving up on the friday, then hill days sat and sun (2nd, 3rd oct). be great to meet up.
ReplyDelete