Angela is getting very close to bagging her full set of Munros and we had pencilled in a week in June to try to pick off four of the most distant on her list. A window of opportunity in the weather forecast was spotted and thankfully we were both able to set off a couple of days earlier than initially planned to take advantage of the good, but not yet certain conditions.
On Saturday the 20th we drove up to the car park at Kinlochewe. An early departure with a six-wheeler breakfast stop for Dave (beans on toast for Angela) at Lesmahagow saw us arrive at the car park after the recent rain had cleared through. Perfect timing for a pleasant, seven mile evening walk-in, past the Heights of Kinlochewe to our campsite near to the eastern end of Lochan Fada. It was a breezy spot but dry and perfect for the start on Sunday morning when we headed up Beinn Tarsuinn.
We had summited our first Munro by mid-morning. Our rucksacks with camping equipment had been left packed but conveniently concealed beside our campsite and we collected them just after midday, setting off immediately for our next camping spot towards the south end of the Abhainn an Fasaigh near the path up to Slioch.
The stepping stones to cross the Abhainn an Fhasaigh where it exits Lochan Fada were not as substantial as we had hoped for. The crossing of the wide, fast-flowing and deep river was a notable test for Angela, achieved with only minor wobble of the lower lip. Lunch was the reward after crossing the river and the remainder of the walk to our next night-stop was pleasant and straight-forward.
The temperature had increased and the wind had dropped by the evening. Midges were about but were not too active and we enjoyed a peaceful night at our camping site. In the morning we followed the same pattern of packing our gear and leaving the heavy rucksacks in a discrete spot where we could easily retrieve them later on our way down.
Steady progress was made and the summit was achieved by 10:30 before the temperature started to rise. There was no breeze. We had an early lunch prior to reaching the lower levels where the midge population would be waiting in ambush, recovering our rucksacks and moving on from the campsite before they had chance to enjoy their meal deal of the day.
We made it to the car park by 3pm and in the car we headed around the corner and north up to Badrallach Campsite and Bothy, near to Dundonnell. The weather was set to deteriorate this evening and into Tuesday so we had based ourselves in the bothy for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights where we could rest for a full day while enjoying the luxury of a roof over our heads, showers and flushing toilets. Badrallach Bothy was great. We shared with two others on Tuesday night, otherwise we were on our own other than those under canvas. The staff were very helpful and we had our own double-burner gas stove and crockery for cooking and were fully prepared for our stay.
The rest day was useful. It gave us chance to recover from a couple of hard days and to be fully prepared for Wednesday when we would go up two Munros, Bidein a Ghlas Thuill and Sgurr Fiona on An Teallach. We contacted a friend, Keith H, living locally at the moment in Inverness and he was able to come and join us for the walk on Wednesday. If conditions were good enough on the day we were equipped to scramble along the An Teallach Ridge and complete a circular route.
Our walk started at 6:30am at Dundonnell after driving around from Badrallach. The weather was pleasantly warm and dry but the legacy of the previous day's wind was still lingering. The scramble along the ridge was likely to be complicated so we simply climbed both peaks and descended the way we had come. Nonetheless it was a very pleasant day out and not so committing as had been expected with the cloud dissipating, temperature increasing and the wind dropping as the hours went by.
The temperature rose significantly as we descended. The early start paid dividends and it was a relief to reach the cars at the end of the walk. We said goodbye to Keith and headed back to the bothy for a final night before the long drive home on Thursday. Dave had been very restrained during the week, consuming only one Ginsters pasty. However, after eating veggie food for days he exceeded himself by finishing three mini battenburg cakes and almost a half-kilo of dry roasted nuts. There seemed very little point in taking them home.
What a trip! Plan 'A' worked without modification and every objective was achieved, even an unexpectedly awkward river crossing. Well done Angela and thanks to Keith too for joining us for a day. It was a great adventure in a wonderful place.
Cheers!
Dave M