After induction..the Beinn Dearg 4

Since my last Munro outing, I became an uncle to little Freddie. A humbling experience and the wonder of a new human life. Everything pales into comparison when you see how helpless they are but fortunately my sister-in-law's boobs provide his worldly energy requirements. And so I drove North to UHI student induction and having induced/ducted them into the way of the Masters, I had myself a deserved day off. I started from Inverlael at 0930 and began the long walk in along the excellent track and then path. My targets seemed quite a way off but it was a good walk in, which climbed steadily to the bifurcation of tracks. I went grande first and headed for Dearg and the famine wall. An extraordinary feat and testament to the amazing efforts of yesteryear, driven by a paltry wage so the hungry could eat.  The climb beside the wall, led me to the last rise up to Beinn Dearg but the cloud came in and I sat in blind cloudy silence, while having lunch. The silence and calmness was quite strange. I descended back to the origin of the wall and then headed for Cona Mheall. The view from this bealach is extraordinary. An easy climb and a very surprising view opened up across to Am Faochagach. The view back over to Beinn Dearg was great too but the jewel in the crown was the splendid An Sgurr over on Seana Braigh. I will definitely do that via Corriemulzie.

As I descended, I scared a hare and a couple of ptarmigan, which were turning white already. From here, it was round/over the bump before the climb up to Meall nan Ceapreachean. A harsh wind hit me at the summit and I struggled to remain upright, while appreciating distant Stac Pollaidh and the Summer Isles - next week! I didn't dally and checked the map before the descent - it looked uncomplicated aside from rock bands further down. Ha! This was a tricky descent as the rock and grass was very slippy. I was thankful to get down to the stream, where I left my rucksack for the final climb up on to Eididh. I was surprising how fit I felt and I was at both cairns before too long, as the wind dropped and the sun emerged once more to broil my coupon. All that remained was the final descent and long walk back out. I tried to relax and enjoy the walk out but my tootsies were hoitin. I saw a bike at the re-entrance at the forest and for a brief moment, considered pinching it for the ride out. I banished the thought and wondered where that had come from. I got back to the car and raced to Inverness to have dinner for a fantastic night's sleep at the Torguish hotel. Fab four.