Beinn Liath Mhor

I had my eye on a horseshoe round this Munro with Sgorr Ruadh and the colossal Corbett, Fua Thol. However, although I left a glorious Inverness, as I began the drive down from Achnasheen it was clear that the weather was not so fine here. I was going light and packed my trousers and down jacket into my small 20-litre rucksack, heading up the small road in shorts and my Brooks GTX trainers. The first view to the Corbett looked immense but the clag was very low. As I slipped through the hole in the fence, I took to the path proper and made my way up on the coire floor at about 300m. From here, i could make out the lower half of Bein Liath Mhor but that was all. I figured that by keeping to the coire floor and running the distance of the glen, by the time I started the ascent up on to Beinn Liath Mhor, the weather may improve. Unfortunately, it didn't and I got a bit of a soaking though I was running well and felt warm and happy. Before the final climb past the reservoir at 750m, I donned my trousers as the wind has escalated. The climb was great though q airy at times and the water poured off the path. I didn't fancy returning this way as a slip could be costly. Given that the weather wasn't great, I made the decision to only to Beinn Liath Mhor and return over the ridge. Once up on the summit, the wind was pretty mental so I donned all my gear and hunkered down behind the large cairn for sustenance.

I sent a text to my wife and then was on my way. The traverse over the ridge was enjoyable but I couldn't see much. It wasn't until I was descending to the coire floor that of course, the clag lifted and some sun shone through. I could now see most of the impressive crags of Sgorr Ruadh and some of the Fuar Thol buttresses. Too bad!

The light was pretty stunning looking over and beyond Fuar Thol and the snap below was probably the best to capture this fantastic arena. I made it down to the path, stripped off an enjoyed the 5 km run back to the car, getting round in just over 3 hours. A really enjoyable Munro despite the fairly rubbish weather.

Beinn Fhada

The long hill and so well-named. To get here involved a tortuous trip, where initially I would wild camp. However, inclement weather the night before put paid to that I sought a bed under cover, with eventual success over on Skye. I thus set off from the Kintail Mountain Rescue lodge at 0845 with a slightly heavier pack than I would have preferred. Nonetheless, I wanted to test my fitness by running the level and downward aspects of the route. It was a great path and one often forgets how good Munro paths are. I was up at the bealach within 45 minutes and began the zig-zags over into the coire. The impressive cliffs rose above me and this hill is very picturesque, with a vast coire floor sitting at about 600m. The path wends its way into the coire and then the final rise up on to the shoulder of Beinn Fhada occurs. At this point, 75 minutes into my sortie, the weather changed considerably so I stopped running and changed into my heavier clothing as the rain lashed down.


I made my way onwards up to the final summit, which was still a good mile from the coire lip. As I reached the circular trig point, the weather changed again and I could see some great views, with the broad mossy plateau of Fhada opening up. I took my time at the summit, having a bite to eat. As time had passed by, I decided I would leave A Glas Bheinn for another day, possibly combining with the Graham, Carnan Cruithneachd. My descent was quick and I was back at the car within 4 hours. An excellent smash and grab considering the poor weather for July. Another M-point in the bag.

Mullach Fraoch-coire

A few years ago I had tried to do this via A'Chralaig on a Winter's day. At the summit of the first Munro, I was caught in a white-out and made a quick descent down a steep coire. I am so glad I didn't contemplate going on as I now had a fine evening to see what would have been ahead of me. Death most likely. As it was, this time, I arrived at the lay-by at 1750 to a warmish evening with good views to look forward to. Judging by the forecast, it would be clear and cold night so I was prepared with all my Winter sleeping bag and gear. I fairly romped up A'Chralaig and was at the summit within 1 hr 30. Looking back, Ben Nevis could be seen in the distance, as well as the obvious South Glen Shiel ridge. Am Bathach now seemed very small, just across the glen. Beyond lay Munro no. 246 and a beautiful ridge walk.

I battered on and made it to my camping spot, the Munro top of Stob Coire na Craileag. I set up camp and then donned gloves and duvet top to grab the 2nd Munro before dinner. It was an enjoyable trek over and the wee path hung over some large drops. Care needed but all too soon, I was round the main crag of difficulty and up to the summit cairn and shelter. I could see down to Loch Affric, which was in gloom as I was privy to the last rays. I made a quick return so I could snap some decent sunset shots but also a wee pot of extra chilli noodles and Heineken were waiting for me. I got settled, had some dinner and beer and watched the sun go down, the Cuillin just visible on the horizon. The temperature by now had really dropped and I shivered as I drank the last of my beer. I got into my shelter and listened to some ambient tunes before one last pee and bed. It would be a decent wee sleep with an alarm set for 0400. At 0200, I got up to pee (damn beer) and took a snap of the moon, with the big dipper straight above.

Once up proper, I had breakfast, packed up my ice-covered tent and returned to the bealach between the Top and the 2nd Munro. A small cairn highlighted the way down and it was a nice walk back out amongst the massive herds of deer. I was at the car for 0630 and home by 1000, to earn brownie points. These summit camps are the business.