Easter 2000:- Torridon & Glen Shiel
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Sunday 16th April
A' Ghlas Bheinn (done before)
Beinn Fhada (done before)
17km 1600m ascent


Loch Duich and Sgurr Mhic Bharraich
seen on the ascent of A' Ghlas Bheinn

Today saw more cloud than the last two days. The summit ridged of Beinn Fhada and A Glas Bheinn were shrouded in mist all morning while out to the west the sun was shining. I wanted to do Beinn Sgriol - my final munro in the area but those with the car keys were saying no we'll do it tomorrow. They also said this yesterday and the day before and by now I was feeling very sceptical as to whether they would drive me to Beinn Sgriol at all.


Coire Chaoil of beinn Fhada seen
from A' Ghlas Bheinn

The Western ridge of the
Five Sisters Walk

We started off at the Falls of Glomach Car Park and walked up the track in the direction of those falls before turning off and ascending the steep slopes of A' Gls Bheinn. These slopes soon eased and the rest of the walk to the summit was a steady plod round and over grassy knolls. It wasn't exactly the most inspiring walk up and with the regular breaks, it took three hours to reach the summit.


A' Chralaig - part of the
Cluanie horseshoe

The very snowy Mullardoch tops
 

A cold wind blew across the top and the very snowy hills of Affric and Mullardoch suddenly came into view. It seemed that they had received a lot more snow than where we were. Shame there was no sunshine to highlight the slopes.

We descended down to the gates of Affric the route I did back in Easter 1999. It was that 'false summits R us' ridge. We got down to the bealach very quickly as I did before it was a sunday and so there were numerous other groups out on the hills today. Phil complained at the bealach of going down even further I explained that it wasn't that far. It seemed to satisfy him but Mr altimeter complained of having to drop beneath 400m. Only walking would shut these guys up!


Mr Altimeter taking pictures
 

Glen Affric seen from the top of
the Beinn Fhada stalkers path

A' Ghlas Bheinn seen from the
ascent of Beinn Fhada

We took a very nice stalkers track into the grand Coire an Sgairne. Again regular rests seemed to be the theme of the walk up but we quickly took the zigzag up to the ridge we promptly brought us up to the relatively snowy plateaux to the summit trig. Showers seemed to be developing to the south and east. There was an easterly wind but during the day, the showers never arrived. We never quite a quick descent back into the corrie and took more rests this time to hear about Phil's friends stories of his 'comical' adventures in Russia.


Looking west from the summit of Beinn Fhada
to the extensive plateau

One of the northern cliffs
of Beinn Fhada

That evening was one of the best sunset glows in Glen Shiel that I've ever seen.


Descending to the valley on the
well made stalkers track

A' Ghlas Bheinn seen in the
beautiful evening sunset

Monday 17th April
Beinn Sgrithreall (249)
9.5km 950m ascent


Loch Hourn and the road to Arnisdale seen
on our ascent up Beinn Sgriol

High Cirrus cloud was moving in from the east. The forecast talked of rain moving in - but not this far westwards. We drove round to Arnisdale. Phil Endecott was being dropped off at Arnisdale for the start of his Knoydart backpacking trip. The rest of the group went with me to see me climb the final summit in the area. We started at Creag Ruadh where a very faint path started. Only a small cairn marked the start of the path and all that existed of the path was some narrow erosion amongst the brambles - it was torture down here.


Beinn Sgriol seen from the
west on lower slopes

Anders looking out over towards
the summits of Skye

Spectacular settings high
above the road

We emerged above the brambles to easier deep grass. Only slight tramplings in the grass suggested the path route but steeper ground was expected. We traversed across into a forest where the ground bacame much steeper. It was here that we found a proper path that safely wound its way up the steep craggy slopes. After crossing a fence the steepness eased and we found ourselves at the base of a broad heathery ridge that rose up to Beinn Sgriol (Sgritheall).


Loch Hourn mergeing in with
the Sound of Sleat

Tim taking a wander around
taking photos

All of us posing for summit
shots on Beinn Sgriol

We took the ridge up to the base of the steeper summit ridge. Here the summit ridge looked like a steep scramble but in reality it wasn't - just a steep walk that was rocky in places. The views out across to Loch Hourn and Skye were smashing - just like Ben More on the Isle of Mull.


The eastern ridge of Beinn Sgriol
set high above Loch Hourn

The headwall of
Coire Min

In Coire Min over looking a view
eastwards out to the Glen Shiel summits

I topped out 2 hours after setting out. The others joined me 15mins later. It was cold on top. After lunch we continued on the ridge eastwards before dropping into Coire Min. The eastern ridge has one small narrow section - though not difficult. Dropping down to the Bealach Arnasdail via coire Min was less steep than the direct route - a route chosen since many other group members didn't have ice axes.


The steep western slopes of Beinn na h-Eaglaise
- a steep grassy scramble

Luinne Beinn seen from Arnisdale
 

A doggy being fed by Agnes
 

Beyond the Bealach, we dropped straight down to Arnisdale. I chose not to tackle the other two Corbetts as err well, I've done enough walking this trip! We spent the rest of the afternoon skimming stones across the loch before heading back to the hostel and then the pub for a celebratory drink. A great trip - one of the best ones I've done with the club!


Cheer up Chris - there'll be plenty more
opportunities to visit Scotland!

The Fabulous Ardgarten
Youth Hostel

Final photo before
going home :-(