STRATHFARRAR
Looking west from Sgurr na Ruaidhe to Sgurr a' Choire Ghlas and Carn nan Gobhar. Photo Colin Matheson
16.8 miles 1851 metres
Start Monday 12.05
Sgurr na Ruaidhe 14.05
Carn nan Gobhar 14.35
Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais 15.00
Sgurr Fhuar-thuill 15.30
Finish 16.00
Squares: green - start, yellow - changeover. Circles summits:green - this leg, purple - to do. Note start is bottom right. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 6.00 Actual 3.55
John writes:
If it's called Strathfarrar why did I have to start in Glen Cannich? Probably so I could puzzle over the weird new plant I saw on the way over the shoulder and still haven't identified yet.
Descent into Strathfarrar was fairly rough, not so the cup of tea, smiles and hobnobs waiting with Rob and Ian at the car. Quick photo of medallion in motion on the track then off up the good track beside Allt Coire Mhuillidh before striking up the long, long shoulder of Sgurr na Ruaidhe.
Fortunately this was enlivened by the marked changes in vegetation on the way. Damp, quite rich grassland the star attraction being a few dwarf cornals and lots more orchids, then the dry heath with bilberry, cowberry, crowberry, northern bilberry and, extending into the arctic alpine heath above, alpine bearberry. Single cushion of purple saxifrage on an amazing series of gravel terraces (periglacial?).
Compass a bit off on the descent to the col, weather turning from drizzle to strong wind and quite heavy rain so the rest was a bit of a slog – over summits very bouldery and went a bit astray on the contouring round a bump I should have climbed the whole of. Excellent descent to reach Ian and Rob exactly 3 hours after I had first seen them.
Peaks done 58 time taken 2 days 13 hours peaks to go 219
John near the private road crossing. Photo Rob Howard
Colin and I set of at seven o'clock after an early supper, with bivvy gear to camp on a high saddle. It was by now only raining intermittently, and we were sheltered from the stiff breeze blowing higher up. After a day in the mothership it was really enjoyable out, with Colin carrying nearly all the gear. We took the bikes in for most of the way. Even though much was too steep to ride Ian would appreciate it later.
The saddle changeover was amazingly sheltered, and I was just settling down for a good sleep when Ian's voice got me up fast.
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