FISHERFIELD
From Beinn Tarsuinn lookin along Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair, Sgurr Ban and Beinn a' Chleidheimh from r to l. Photo Colin Matheson
14.5 miles 2173 metres
Start Tuesday 19.03
A' Mhaighdean 20.18
Ruadh Stac Mor 20.38
Beinn Tarsuinn 21.41
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair 22.12
Sgurr Ban 22.32
Beinn a' Chlaidheimh 23.15
Finish Wednesday 00.17
Squares: yellow - changeovers. Circles summits: green - this leg. Beinn a' Chleidheimh has been demoted since the relay. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 6.00 Actual 5.14
Meanwhile Dave was active. He writes:
I must admit I was worried by this one, even more so as the promise of a night traverse increased. Even by going to the changeover at the east end of Loch Fada 2 hours early I could not avoid it. I should have been rested but had been chauffering people about from 4 am that morning. Still it was a nice place to spend 2 hours waiting, new mountains all around, the sky gradually turning blue, and lots of people, what busy places these wilderness areas are. Ed eventually turned up complaining about his knees.
I'd had lots of time to think of the best way to cross the moor to A' Mhaighdean deciding a direct line was best. Spurred on by the desire to get as far as possible before dark I crossed it and reached the top in about an hour and a bit. Fantastic views all round, cliffs dropping down to lochs, low sunshine picking out the Torridon hills, wonderful, but no time, my round looked long.
I nipped down to and up Ruadh Stac Mor, then a complicated traverse back toward Beinn Tarsuinn. Climbing onto this I came out of the shadows into the sunshine again, below I could see the starting point again, very close.
The sun set as I climbed Mullach C.M.F., still with some light I reached Sgurr Ban. Maybe I could get some light on the descent to Sheneval, but dismay set in as I saw the 1 1/2km of quartzite boulders to cross. I tiptoed across these then pushed hard over Chleidheimh, a good knife edge ridge, dark valleys just below.
The descent was horrible, steep, boulders and deep heather. As it levelled off a light in Sheneval lured me on to food, brews and a great sleep. Thanks to Colin.
Peaks done 84 time taken 3 days 21 hours peaks to go 193
Colin had walked into Shenevall bothy with Rob to carry, and look after the runners. Rob was now left with some dilemma – contrary to his assertion here, I had concurred that he had been unwise to do An Teallach at night if the weather was bad – of course it was not.
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