Hills: Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich, Sgurr Mor, Meall Gorm, An Coileachan
Date: Sunday 18th May 2014
Company: Just myself
Distance: 23.1km, Ascent: 1420m
Time: 8Hrs 05Mins
I attended the Moray Mountaineering Club's monthly Bus Meet yesterday, destination Dundonnell. I disembarked from the bus at the West-end of Loch Droma.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
From the small car park at the West-end of Loch Droma, I crossed over the small dam to reach the hydro track beyond. I then followed the pipeline skirting round the base of Beinn Liath Bheag.
Droma Dam:
Loch Droma pipeline:
The good track allowed me to progress quite quickly. I reckon I had walked 2-3km by the time members were dropped off at Dundonnell.
Following the track towards the NE ridge of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich:
Looking back towards Loch Droma:
On reaching some kind of hydro works, I took to the hillside.
Allt a'Mhadaidh:
I followed a small, wet path leading up the NE ridge of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich.
Looking back to Allt a'Mhadaidh from slopes of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich:
Ascending the NE ridge of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich:
The ascent of the lower slopes was fairly straight-forward up through grass and heather. The boulder strewn upper slopes definitely slowed me down.
Looking down to Allt a'Mhadaidh:
Looking towards Loch a'Mhadaidh:
The weather was fairly poor throughout the walk. As well as rain showers there was persistent low cloud. I walked in continuous low cloud for between three and four hours.
Into the low cloud on the north shoulder of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich:
Final stony ascent up Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich:
On reaching the summit of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich, I got out my compass and paper map and put away the technology.
At the twin-cairned summit of Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich:
After taking a bearing, I set off down very stony slopes to reach the col between Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich and Sgurr Mor.
Following the track towards Sgurr Mor:
En-route to Sgurr Mor I passed a small howff that is right next to the track. I couldn't recall seeing this on my last visit to these hills ten years previous. I assume it was there but I just can't recall it.
A wee howff en-route to Sgurr Mor:
Howff entrance:
The final ascent of Sgurr Mor was up steep grass.
Approaching the summit of Sgurr Mor:
It was disappointing to get zero visibility at the summit. I could only just make out that the cairn was above a steep cliff.
Large cairn at the summit of Sgurr Mor:
My last visit to Sgurr Mor was in much nicer conditions.
Myself at the summit of Sgurr Mor (2004):
At the summit of Sgurr Mor I considered three options:
i) descend back down to the road (I decided against this as I still had plenty time)
ii) head West via Sgurr nan Clach Geala, Sgurr nan Each and Meall a'Chrasgaidh
iii) head East via Meall Gorm and An Coileachan
Having combined Beinn Liath Mhor Fannaich and Sgurr Mor with Sgurr nan Clach Geala, Sgurr nan Each and Meall a'Chrasgaidh previously, I opted for iii) head East towards Meall Gorm and An Coileachan. After taking a compass bearing I started my descent towards Meall nam Peithirean (a Munro Top).
During the descent I passed lots of solifluction - soil flowage down slopes owing to recurring freeze/thaw and gravity. On the other side of the A835, Am Faochagach also has obvious solifluction.
Solifluction:
It was nice to reach the top of Meall nam Peithirean, a Munro Top I had not ascended previously.
At the summit of Meall nam Peithirean:
During the ascent of Meall Gorm I passed several ptarmigan.
About to ascend Meall Gorm:
Approaching the summit of Meall Gorm:
At the summit of Meall Gorm:
On reaching a small wall between Meall Gorm and Meall Gorm SE Top, I managed to get within circa three feet of a ptarmigan.
Ptarmigan between Meall Gorm and Meall Gorm SE top:
Ptarmigan between Meall Gorm and Meall Gorm SE top:
Meall Gorm SE Top:
During the final ascent of An Coileachan the low cloud started to show some signs of lifting. I managed to get some glimpses down to Loch Fannich.
A glimpse of Loch Fannich:
Stony ascent of An Coileachan:
Looking towards the summit of An Coileachan:
I reached the summit of An Coileachan 5.75 hours after setting off. Now I had to work out a route for getting back to the A835.
Approaching the summit of An Coileachan:
An Eigin and 797m top from summit of An Coileachan:
I decided to descend towards Loch Gorm and then head for Meallan Bhuidhe.
Descent towards Loch Gorm:
Descent towards Loch Gorm:
The only positive I could think of from walking in low cloud was the inability to see the awful new windfarm opposite the Aultguish Inn. This must be one of the worst ever planning decisions ever in Scotland!
Looking towards Meallan Bhuidhe and Beinn Liath Mhor a'Ghiubhais Li:
I picked up a small path during my final descent towards Loch Gorm which I followed over Meallan Bhuidhe. However, it wasn't long before the track deteriorated and then disappeared into the bog. The walk out was unpleasantly wet underfoot.
Looking back at descent from An Coileachan:
Looking towards Beinn Liath Mhor a'Ghiubhais Li:
As I was walking along through bog, I spotted a bridge over the Abhainn a'Ghiubhais Li with what looked like a good track a short distance above. I therefore made my way down to the bridge.
Bridge over the Abhainn a'Ghiubhais Li:
Beinn Liath Mhor a'Ghiubhais Li:
It was definitely worthwhile picking up the good track which I followed all the way out to the A835.
Abhainn a'Ghiubhais Li:
Looking back to the Eastern Fannaichs:
Looking across Loch Droma to the Beinn Dearg range:
I enjoyed this walk despite the low cloud.