34B - AN TEALLACH
l - r An Teallach, Beinn a' Chleidheimh, Sgurr Ban, Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair from Beinn Tarsuinn. Photo tms.nickbramhall.comn
11.2 miles 1630 metres
Start Wednesday 23.20
Sgurr Ban 23.46
Beinn ' Chleidheimh Thursday 00.32
Sgurr Fiona 03.23
Bidean a' Ghlais Thuill 03.43
Finish 04.32
Squares: yellow - changeover, red - finish. Circles summits: green - this leg, red - done. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 4.08 Actual 5.12
I am trying to remember this 28 years after the event. I have managed to find the old map I used. I have found all but one leg which helps refresh my memory. It all seems a long time ago, and now I would never contemplate doing anything like this leg even only at walking pace it would be far beyond me.
Mark was doing the leg before which is the biggest of the relay and I know he is looking to smash the schedule. We have been quietly competing with each other to take the most time off on a leg and this is his chance to put it beyond me.
I don’t remember the walk in much but it was a long one at close to 8 miles with a big climb up to the col at the end. I do remember some impressive slabs I pass just to the south of the stream I am following up to the col. I am carrying more than normal as I have a tent to put up at the changeover. I am going in early enough that Mark won't be there first and if he has any issues I may be waiting for hours and I have found out how uncomfortable that can be already.
It is really windy at the col and I struggle a lot to get the tent up. As ever with this relay it seams that the windiest spots are always at the high changeovers. I have not been in the tent for too long and I hear Mark shouting as he comes in. He is very pleased with himself. He has managed to finish his leg just at last light and I leave him with the tent as I set off into the gloom in full wet weather kit struggling to pick the best line with an underpowered headlight.
The first top takes a long time for what should be a quick climb. At least once away from the col the wind slackens so there is no longer quite the threat of being blown over. The cloud is down and it’s a careful initial decent until I am convinced I am on the right bit or ridge. Along to another windy col before starting the steady climb following the ridge to the next top.
Next up, the hardest bit of the leg descending 800m in about a mile of distance in the dark with crags to avoid and deep heather with lots of smaller rock steps that are hard to see in the dark. It goes on forever and I seem to be going very slowly. There is some relief as I come out of the cloud and there is just enough light to be able to make out the loch.
Once off the steepest slope I head slightly west of north hoping the river crossing will be OK. I have a note on the map saying that if in spate I will have to go down and wade in the loch but it’s not bad and I get across without difficulty.
Next up for Sgurr Fiona. I am going up avoiding all the interesting bits that most people just doing the Munro would do. It’s a long long slog up the valley to hit the ridge west of the summit and a simple final approach to the top. The light is starting to come and I can just make out some of the interesting stuff looking south from the top as I turn to head north.
There is one more top for a cheap Munro and then a path to try and find to get all the way down to sea level for the handover where it’s very much daylight.
I remember being disappointed with the time but in reality I only lost an hour to the night where there was a 2 hour provision so not too bad really and a good challenging final leg for me to of done.
Peaks done 257 Hours elapsed 261 Peaks to do 20
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