29 B - GLEN SHEIL NORTH
5 Sisters, Sgurr na Ciste Dhuihe and Sgurr Fhuaran from Saileg. Photo tms.nickbramhall.com
10.8 miles 2200 metres
Start Monday 22.45
Ciste Dubh 23.17
Aonach Meadhoin Tuesday 00.02
Sgurr a' Bhealach Dheirg 00.24
Saileg 00.47
Sgurr na Ciste Dhuibhe 01.34
Sgurr Fhuaran 02.15
Finish 02.56
Squares: yellow - changeovers. Circles Summits: green - this leg, blue not a Munro in 1993. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 4.07 Actual 4.11
Mark writes:
Supposedly this was an early morning leg. Scorching times by others, however, had put us back on schedule, and in an optimistic mood. Memories of the previous night had convinced me that a huge front was just over the horizon – in truth it was simply a lovely evening.
Haring off up Ciste Dubh I couldn't resist constantly turning round to marvel at the ever increasing sea of peaks glowing orange, valleys already in darkness. The summit is impressive as it appears that someone has taken a huge bite out of one side leaving a sharp series of pinnacles. As dusk reaches even these lofty places deer flit in and out of the periphery of my vision.
Soon I am heading west – to my right is a fantastic setting sun and mile after mile of still emptiness. To my left it is dark and, down in the valley, over ½ mile below me the tail lights of cars thread their way down the valley – the contrast between the two is immense. Standing there on the ridge I felt as if the choice could have greater significance. Sometimes wild country can be intimidating – tonight however all was serene.
Light enough till 12.15 but eventually the torch is needed and I enjoy a good couple of hours of the fine ridge. With impeccable timing I turned east from the top of Sgurr Fhuaran just as cloud coming in from the west hit the tops.
This time at the changeover Graeme must have been sleeping well as he only woke when I was almost treading on him, and when he emerged it was from the bottom of his bivvy bag – not the top.
Peaks done 215 Hours elapsed 211 Peaks to do 62
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