Date: Sunday 11th September 2016
Company: Myself, Joanne, Mac and Cuillin
Distance: 19.6km, Ascent: 1140m
Time: 7Hrs 40Mins
On Sunday morning, we drove to Destitution Road parking near the start of the track leading to Loch a' Bhraoin with a view to ascending Sgurr nan Each, Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Meall a' Chrasgaidh. We set off walking along the track leading to Loch a' Bhraoin.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
The weather was dry and mostly overcast, with the exception of some blue sky above Loch a' Bhraoin. There was not wall-to-wall blue skies as had been suggested by the MetOffice forecast that same morning.
Track to Loch a' Bhraoin:
We initially followed the track then footpath, as marked on the OS map, as far as the boathouse at Loch a' Bhraoin. However on spotting a six-foot high deer fence ahead blocking our way, we doubled-back a short distance to take an excellent new track which is not as yet marked on the OS map.
On reaching the bridge over the Loch a' Bhraoin outflow, I stopped to take several photos.
Loch a' Bhraoin panorama:
Beyond the bridge, we followed the track running alongside the Allt Breabaig. We decided to ascend the furthest-out Munro first such that the wind would be at our backs as we made our way back over the hills. We met another walker who was undertaking the same route as ourselves.
Leiter Fhearna from the Loch a' Bhraoin outflow:
We passed several small waterfalls as we progressed along the track.
Allt Breabaig waterfall:
Allt Breabaig waterfall:
If I had been paying more attention to reading the map, instead of discouraging Cuillin from pulling, I would have noticed a ford across the Allt Breabaig. Instead we ended up progressing at least one mile beyond the ford before crossing the Allt.
We eventually crossed the Allt at an easy, wide, shallow section before once again picking up the track.
Heading along the track to its high-point:
On reaching the track high-point, I had a look at the terrain ahead picking out a potential ascent route to the right of a small crag.
Ascent to col between Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr nan Each:
Cuillin and Mac:
It didn't take long to reach the col between Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr nan Each.
Joanne and Mac ascending to the col:
From a distance, the ridge out to Sgurr nan Each looked 'interesting'. It was however much more straight-forward than it looked.
Ridge out to Sgurr nan Each:
It was great to reach the summit of Sgurr nan Each, our first summit of the day. After a few photos at the summit, we descended a short distance to have a drink and give the dogs some treats.
At the summit of Sgurr nan Each:
Despite the weather being somewhat overcast, the views from the summit were still pretty-good. I instantly recognised Fuar Tholl in the distance thanks to its distinctive Mainreachan Buttress. Beinn Eighe and Slioch also looked great.
View towards Torridon from the summit of Sgurr nan Each (zoom):
View towards Torridon from the summit of Sgurr nan Each:
Loch Fannich from Sgurr nan Each:
It was also nice to see the mighty An Teallach. Despite ascending An Teallach three times previously, I still have a number of its Munro Tops to ascend.
An Teallach (zoom):
From Sgurr nan Each, we made our way back down to the col and then began our ascent of Sgurr nan Clach Geala, the highest of the three Munros.
Joanne and Mac heading for Sgurr nan Clach Geala:
Looking back to Sgurr nan Each:
We ascended to the summit of Sgurr nan Clach Geala without stopping for more than a few seconds.
On reaching the summit of Sgurr nan Clach Geala, I had a look ahead at our descent route. The route looked a bit narrow and tricky and I was concerned that it may be difficult with two pulling dogs.
Joanne and Mac at the summit of Sgurr nan Clach Geala:
We agreed to give the descent a go, taking care with every step. I took the dogs who were both very well-behaved descending the ridge. Well done Joanne.
On the NE ridge of Sgurr nan Clach Geala:
Joanne on the NE ridge of Sgurr nan Clach Geala:
We eventually reached the col between Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Meall a' Chrasgaidh where there is a large erratic; a large boulder deposited there during the ice age.
Large erratic at the col between Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Meall a' Chrasgaidh:
Looking back to Sgurr nan Clach Geala:
From the col, the ascent of Meall a' Chrasgaidh was very straight-forward.
Ascending Meall a' Chrasgaidh:
View down to Loch a' Mhadaidh during ascent of Meall a' Chrasgaidh:
At the summit of Meall a' Chrasgaidh:
After taking a few photos at the summit, we made our way over to the summit shelter for a sandwich and drink and to give the dogs some more treats. I also had a look at the map to work out the least-steep descent back to the Allt Breabaig track.
Joanne and Mac at the summit of Meall a' Chrasgaidh:
View from Meall a' Chrasgaidh:
As expected, the initial descent was nice and gentle but we had circa 100m of steep heather to descend before reaching the track. During the descent, I twisted my knee worsening an injury I sustained back in early June.
Looking back at steep descent from Meall a' Chrasgaidh:
We crossed the Allt Breabaig at the ford that we should have used earlier in the day. We both got wet feet at the ford, so it was probably a good idea not to cross there earlier in the day.
Allt Breabaig waterfall on walk out:
On reaching Loch a' Bhraoin, we had some fun with the dogs throwing stones into the loch with the dogs giving chase to the stones. This was a great way to get them clean. The final 1km walk back out to the car passed quite quickly and it was good to get the boots off. What was even better was to next head to Ullapool for awesome fish and chips.
A really enjoyable day out in great company.
