GLENFINNAN WEST
On Sgurr nan Coireachan. The bigger hills in shot are Sgurr Mor and Gairich from early in the relay. Photo Colin Matheson
10.0 miles 1393 metres
Start Thursday 07.13
Sgurr nan Coireachan 08.58
Sgurr Thuilm 09.49
Finish 10.12
Squares: green - start, yellow - changeover. Circles summits: green - this leg, purple - to do. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 3.00 Actual 2.59
Tony writes:
I was originally due to do the Loch Lochy peaks but this was changed in the hope that a Mull crossing was on later in the day. In the event I was hard pushed to keep within the schedule and gained us no time.
Alwyn managed to ground the car 10 times along the Loch Arkaig road – easily surpassing Ian's 7 (I think) earlier in the relay. Alwyn was determined to beat the estimated 30 minutes drive time (and eventually shaved it by 2 minutes.)
By the time I limped to Glen Pean bothy the long grass and boggy bits had soaked me. I forded the stream and tackled the long ascent of Sgurr nan Coireachean – the highlight being a hind with her inquisitive fawn.
On reaching the ridge linking the two Munros I turned west and had one of those “This must be the summit” ascents. After reaching the first summit I turned east towards Sgurr Thuilm and my thought turned back 18 months when I was last on this ridge.
I was with Ian and after a claggy snow plod to S. nan C. the weather cleared to reveal the Knoydart and Dessary peaks in winter dress. Then the weather closed in and the storm hit. It was forecast but we were almost literally blown over by its ferocity. The wind was gusting 40-60 m.p.h. With driven snow. We were pushed involuntarily along the ridge, using our axes to break ourselves even on the flat bits. The snow was unconsolidated and we slid over little outcrops. Half way along the ridge we took shelter and discussed the next step. In the process my sac was blown off my back and up over my head. We abandoned the crossing, got soaked as we returned to Glen Finnan and the following day went caving in Glen Creran instead.
Today the ridge was straightforward. S. T. gave me a new Munro. The descent to the col with Streap was very steep, though straightforward on grass – probably a much more interesting proposition in winter. Really fast bike ride back to Glen Finnan – the private road to Corryhully has been recently metalled.
Peaks done 110 time taken 5 days 7 hours peaks to go 167
I had taken John to the start of the long route in to his changeover. We had relaxed our concentration, and I suddenly realised that he should have gone, and would have to hurry.
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