Date: Sun 4th April 2010
Distance: 24km
Ascent:1300m
An attractive forecast for Sunday had us scrabbling through the options folder. Ben Loyal was considered but the forecast looked better west with a clearing day.
Sgurr na Feartaig has been on our radar since we wild-camped on nearby Beinn Tarsuinn but didn’t have the energy to climb Feartaig on the return. We’d been saving it for a good day.
Parked up at Craig at 1000hrs – last space in the car park. Still a bit cloudy on the tops but looked promising.
Headed up the track from Craig up to the shoulder of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean – a bit hard to believe it’s 3yrs since we were last here.
Potentially good views from the track to the Achnashellach Hills but still a bit cloudy.
Rounded the top of the track under Sgurr nan Ceannaichean and a bit better view of the hills:
A small cairn marks a wee path down to the bridge at NH 070 481. A bit shoogly and missing a few planks but did the job.
The stalkers path starts about 100m N of the bridge – we struggled to pick it up at first in the snow but found it about 100m upslope. It was a bit snowed over but the edges provided an easier ascent – in the summer it will be excellent.
The cliffs of Sgurr nan Ceannaichean loom over the hill. This hill seemed indefinably nobler and classier than last time we were here. 😉
The sun started to shine and the Munros to the south – Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a Chaorachain were looking good in the snow:
It actually felt hot at this point – Sgurr na Feartaig:
A pair of ptarmigan were holding their ground as we ascended – they always get territorial in April and are loathe to move off. They keeked at us from behind a rock – first Mr P
Then Mrs P:
They then wandered around a bit:
At the 580m mark the view to the Achnashellach Hills re-appears:
Underfoot conditions got a bit snowier above here – but still unconsolidated and in general only a couple of inches. Easy progress to the 819m summit.
Coire Lair from ascent to 819m:
Hazel on snow with view out to Fisherfield and Fannaichs:
Great view of Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a Chaorachain from the 819m top – walkers were visible on this ridge
Achnashellach pano:
Crossed over the E outflow of Loch Sgurr na Feartaig which was buried and carried on to the summit – a brilliant viewpoint.
Achnashellach Hills and Liathach:
Fisherfield:
Skye:
Us:
Lurg Mhor, Cheesecake and Tarsuinn:
From here we had a few options – drop to Beallach Bearnais and climb either Tarsuinn or Choinnich, return, or carry on along Feartaig. Took the final option.
The ridge runs SW towards Strathcarron and the Graham Creag Dubh Mor (indeed if the early forecast had been better we’d considered an early start to traverse the Corbett/Graham and get the 1600 train back from Strathcarron). There are multiple potential drop off points back to the N side.
The progress to the 805m top was simple enough – one steeper bit to kick steps only (in summer the stalkers path runs all the way along).
805m top:
A late snow shower came whipping in as we hit this summit:
This cleared through – Coire Lair and beneath our descent ridge – Creag an Eilen:
The drop off the 805m top was a mix of hard snow and slush – a bit slippy. Thereafter made for the 690m top over Loch nan Gobhar.
Some nice rocks around here – Tarsuinn W top, Cheesecake and Lurg Mhor:
Fuar Tholl:
The 690m top has a nice view out to Skye (into the sun):
It’s a bit steep off here on slush so we worked 200m SW to a fence line to drop NW to the next level area. Almost terraced feel to this area with many lochans:
Slip slidy on slush and grass to Loch nan Cabhar – crossed the NE outlet and then headed for Creag an Eilen. Loads of deer around.
Creag an Eilen has a good view out to Loch Carron:
Ceannaichean over deer herd:
The ridge is reasonable if a bit peat-hagged. The far end was what we’d wanted to see as it sits opposite Coire Lair.
A bit tricky to photograph with the sun behind – but come back at dawn in winter and the views should be stunning.
Dropped to the decent stalkers path into Golden Valley to pick up the forestry tracks back to Craig – arriving after sunset.
A really good day – a Corbett with stunning views and an interesting ridge to explore. Took our time over this – in summer on the stalkers path the route would be feasible in much less time. But where else do you want to be?
Busy Doing Nothing 