It was just after six when we set off from Shenavall and walked down to
the Abhainn Srath na Sealga. This river was fairly low and was easily
forded in footwear that we had carried for this purpose. Once on the
south side we put on our walking boots and headed across a very boggy
area to the foot of the first Munro of the day Beinn a'Chlaidheimh.
The ascent of this mountain involved a steep climb through heather,
avoiding rocky outcrops, which my client didn't find enjoyable. She
was also still having problems with her pack despite the lighter load.
It was a beautiful sunny morning with some fantastic views which can be
seen from my photographs (see link). I insisted on a short break every
hour to enable my client to eat and drink as it was going to be a long
day and she needed all the reserves of energy she could muster.
Higher up there were traces of a path and we eventually reached the
north ridge of Beinn a'Chlaidheimh and followed it over the 900 point
to its summit where we had one of our hourly breaks taking in the
mountain views. One Munro down three to go.
This was followed by a descent to the twin lochans beside Am Briseadh
where we had another break and where we loaded up on some water. The
next section of the walk, the ascent of the north-east ridge of Sgurr
Ban, was very rocky so I tried to use some of the grassy terraces. As
we commenced this climb we spotted a couple of hinds, the Leeds couple
descending Beinn a'Chlaidheimh and the guided hill walking group at
Loch a'Bhrisidh.
We reached the summit of Sgurr Ban and were joined by the Leeds couple
before descending steeply down the south ridge and a steep ascent of
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair up a sree filled path. The summit of
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair was rather windy so we continued down its
rocky south ridge, traversed below Meall Garbh to Bealach Odhar.
After another one of our regular breaks we ascended the final Munro of
the day Beinn Tarsuinn which was as far away from Shenavall as we were
going to get that day.
The descent of Beinn Tarsuinn was by the north-west ridge, over a
section that looked like Table Mountain. We followed this ridge
before dropping to the bealach, avoided a steep gorge, and into Gleann
na Muice. By this time the mountains were covered in cloud and it
started to rain intermittently.
This was a very long walk out and my client was now very tired and her
rucksack was still annoying her. Eventually we reached the path down
the Glen and passed the route of the next day's walk up Gleann na Muice
Beag where the other hill walking group were camped. At
Larachantivore we crossed the Abhainn Gleann na Muice without the need
to remove our boots as the river was low. The next section of the
walk was across the very wet and boggy Strath na Sealga and we returned
to the Abhainn Srath na Sealga where we changed our footwear for the
river crossing. It was then a very short walk to the bothy at
Shenavall, but by this time after over 15 hours out on the hills, my
client was completely exhausted. At this time I doubted if she would
make the following day's walk. It was the longest day walk she had
every undertaken.
I had to ensure that she ate before going to her 'penthouse suite' as
she needed to try and replace some of her lost energy.
Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com