COULAGS
Maol Chinn-dearg from the east. Photo Colin Matheson
13.8 miles 1750 metres
Start Tuesday 06.13
Sgurr Ruadh 07.39
Beinn Liath Mhor 08.15
Maol Chinn-dearg 09.41
Finish 10.51
Squares: green - start, red - finish. Circles summits - green - this leg.Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 5.00 Actual 4.38
Tony writes:
What difference does prior knowledge of the hills in your leg make? I was glad that I had been over these hills last summer in good conditions. My crossing of the River Lair was straightforward. It was marked as a potential RIS (river in spate) for good reason. About 8 years ago, in typical Scottish winter conditions (rain for 36 hours on top of waist deep unconsolidated snow,) I ventured onto the Coulags with a few friends. I abandoned my attempt on Sgurr Ruadh when I realised I was two thirds of the way up a very unstable mass of snow which seemed set to avalanche. Unfortunately I was on the south side of the Lair and couldn't cross the river (by this time it was dark - about 11 pm.) I eventually contoured through the crags under Fuar Tholl and got down at 1am, just after my friends abortive climb. The day was saved at Beny's bothy with lapsang souchong tea.
Today Sgurr Ruadh was easy, (the early morning view of Liathach from the top being the highlight of the leg,) as was Beinn Liath Mhor. I remembered hidden crags on the west side of B.L.M. But still found myself on top of them! Map 25 is in need of improvements as the Coulags do not show the many crags in the area.
The rain started on the approach to Maol Chean Dearg but I could see my approach – the north gully. This is definitely NOT a route to venture into with friends. The sides and floor of the gully are very loose. In addition the centre of the gully still had last winter's snow which (presumably) hid the cross I had seen at the top of the gully last year. I'm very careful on loose wet but couldn't help sending rocks (some as large as a seat) tumbling into the abyss. I was forced to crawl up the gap between the wall of the gully and the remnants of the snow – at times being careful not to slip under the snow patch (could be unfortunate.) The summit is easily reached from the top of the gully – then it was back down the way I came – digging my nails into the sliding mud and wedging myself between the snow and gully wall.
Peaks done 73 time taken 3 days 8 hours peaks to go 204
Dave was waiting to take Tony the short drive to the waiting Alwyn.
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