NORTH CLUANIE
Tony. Note the wrapped flags he is carrying for visibility at the changeover. Photo probably Rob
12.2 miles 1597 metres
Start Sunday 23.42
Carn Ghluasaid Monday 00.38
Sgurr nan Conbhairean 01.15
Sail Chaoruinn 01.39
A' Chralaig 03.10
Mullach Fraoch-choire 03.44
Finish 04.20
Squares: green - start, yellow - changeovers, red previous leg finish. Circles summits: green this leg, red - done. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 4.00 Actual 4.37
Tony writes:
Start 11.45 pm – end 4.15 am – a real night stage. The first peak promised a memorable traverse but conditions deteriorated during the night (strong wind, cloud and eventually mist on the tops.) Even so I managed to do the lot without using compass, torch (except to note summit times) and map (except to check summit of Sail Chaorainn.) This feat was possile because I had done these summits (plus a few others) last summer.
In fact the groundwork for conceiving the relay was really established on these hills, together with other long walks (South Cluanie – Saddle, Mullardoch circuit, Fisherfield and Lochnagar) last summer. These made me confident enough to consider that I knew enough of the Scottish hills when that fateful day last September arrived and the idea of a Munro challenge was conceived between Mam Sodhail and Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan.
It is also a year ago to the day (I think) that Ian did this round whilst I lay by in a lay by by Loch Cluanie having torn all the ligaments in my right knee whilst partaking of a “stream scene” by the Loch Lochy hills (and then continued, perhaps unwisely to limp around a 17 mile circuit culminating in a glorious sunset and full moonrise over Ben Nevis. The temperature that day reached 80 degrees and I hid from the sun – no sun last night of course!
Highlight of the walk out should have been the fox I saw on the col between Affric and Cluanie, but this was topped by a small black creature I saw swimming in a burn 5 minutes later (about 6-8” long, like a black cat.) John says it may have been a mink – I'll have to see some pictures of mink to check.
Peaks done 46 time taken 2 days 1 hour peaks to do 231
All too soon came the morning. Tony returned complaining bitterly about the idiot who had recommended that Alwyn take a bike up the start of the track. He was clearly having trouble with his ankle, but sublimated this on the bike. Ian had to get up to drive off to Loch Monar.
I had now realised that I would have to set off again that day, even though I expected to sleep the night waiting on the hill. It was lovely though to do nothing as Colin drove round to Achnashellach. It rained very hard for a spell, then continued more steadily. Diana returned with the van shortly after we arrived. She had nearly had an epic running out of petrol, a real potential problem with miles of Highland roads often at night. However she had news of Alwyn's leg.
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