Having enjoyed a successful couple of days in
Glen Affric, we moved across to Kintail with the intention of finishing the
Cluanie Munros as well as the remote hills above Glen Carron. Unfortunately, the weather refused to
co-operate and the loss of one day due to heavy rain forced a re-plan.
Mullach
Fraoch-choire & A’ Chralaig
Mullach Fraoch-choire
These 2 steep-sided monsters above the Cluanie
Inn were the subject of our first foray and a reasonably comfortable 6 hr day
saw us achieve both summits.
Stob Coire na Cralaig
Parking a mile E of the Cluanie Inn, we headed
up the deep cleft of An Caorann Mor taking the vehicle track as far as its
termination at 350m. From here, we
struck up across the open hillside climbing ever-steepening grassy slopes into
Coire a’ Ghlas-thuill and finally on to the skyline at Stob Coire na Cralaig (1008m).
Approaching Mullach Fraoch-choire
As the clouds parted to give us a welcome, if
murky, view along the ridge, we traversed the sharpening ridge high above the
surrounding glens and up on to the shapely summit of Mullach Fraoch-choire (1102m; hill of the heathery corrie).
A’ Chralaig
Following a brief, windswept photoshoot, we
retraced our steps to Stob Coire na Cralaig before continuing S along the
ridge. The return of the cloud denied us
any view, but it didn’t take too long before the big distinctive stone pillar
of our 2nd Munro loomed out of the mist: A’ Chralaig (1120m; the creel).
Glen Shiel
Descending from the summit, we followed the long
S ridge before plummeting down the very steep grassy slopes of Fuaran Mor
Chluainidh as heavy showers swept up Glen Shiel. Fortunately for once, most of them missed us!
Sgurr
Choinnich & Sgurr a’ Chaorachain
Glenuig
These 2 Munros are sometimes done together with
the remote lump of Maoile Lunndaidh but today we opted for just the 2 more
accessible hills. Starting from Craig,
we followed the recently upgraded track up into Glenuig alongside the Allt a’
Chonais.
Sgurr a’ Chaorachain From Sgurr Choinnich
Crossing the river at Pollan Buidhe was always
going to be a problem and the 2-wire bridge did not inspire much confidence as
a safe means of doing so! Consequently,
it was off with boots and socks and a short, icy wade to reach the opposite
bank.
We followed the excellent stalker’s path up to a
very windy Bealach Bhearnais before turning E and climbing the steep,
well-defined ridge that put us on Jenn’s 200th Munro: Sgurr
Choinnich (999m; mossy peak). Hat’s off to Jenn after some difficult
weather on many of the summits, at least one thunderstorm and most of the peaks
coming in only 4 years!
After an appropriate celebration, we descended E
to the intervening bealach before completing one final climb to the trig point
on the flat summit of Sgurr a’ Chaorachain (1053m;
peak of the torrent). There were great
views for a while, particularly across to the very remote Munros of Lurg Mhor
and Bidean a’ Choire Sheasgaich. The
weather had ensured we would have to return another time to capture these
distant hills.
Sgurr Choinnich
The highlight of the descent was undoubtedly the
sight of 2 golden eagles circling just above us - always a great event! A few red deer also contributed to the
Highland scene!
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