An Teallach, 1062m
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Date: 20/7/89 |
Tops and Munros |
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Companions: Soren Rossner (14 year old German friend) |
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Distance: 18km | |
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Climbing: 1600m | |
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Time: 7.5 hours | |
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Weather: Warm and hazy, after early drizzle | |
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Munro Tally: M62-63, T98-103 | |
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How can you reduce a day on An Teallach to a few sentences? This is one of Scotland's finest mountain ranges. The whole range comprises 2 Munro summits and 7 Munro tops, linked by high and dramatic ridges, set in the far north west, with superb views and deep corries. We set off from the campsite at Gairloch on an uncertain morning, and as we parked at Dundonnell, the clouds were still down on the tops, and a patchy drizzle still falling. Was this the wrong day to choose for such a fine mountain? The question lingered in our minds as we set off up the fine stalkers path leading up on to the shoulder of Meall Garbh at 10.30am However, as we progressed, the day brightened, the drizzle stopped, and the clouds lifted. Heather gave way to rock, and at 13.00 we emerged on to the top of Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill, the highest peak of the range. My young German companion was used to walking in the Alps, and didn't think a 1000m Scottish mountain would stand comparison - but his opinion changed as Sgurr Fiona, the dramatic ridge over the pinnacles, and the the deep corrie, all appeared spread out before us. We continued down and then back up to the graceful pointed peak of Sgurr Fiona. Now the fun began. Following the crest of the ridge as closely as possible, the next hour across Lord Berkeley's Seat and the Corrag Bhuidhe pinnacles was one of the most exciting ridge walks / scrambles we had experienced. Superb views opened up to the left down to Loch Toll and Lochain, 450m below, unitl we reached the end of the ridge above the Corrag Bhuideh Buttress. Retracing our steps a few metres, a steep gully on the right allowed us to drop down on to the path just below the crest, then on to the final top, Sail Liath. Here we looked back and enjoyed the view back along the ridge to the 2 Munros at the head of the corrie. From Sail Liath, we dropped down steep grasssy slopes to the east, and on to a stone pavement running north east on the east side of Coir' a Ghiubhsachain. This made for rapid progress, with views back into the corrie to our left. Eventaully, this led out on to heathery slopes and down to the A832 at Corrie Hallie. A 3 mile walk back along the road, and the circuit was compete. A memorable day, to be repeated, perhaps taking in the other 3 tops. | |
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Looking south from Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill towards the shapely pyramid of Sgurr Fiona (centre) and the Corrag Bhuidhe pinnacles to the left, with the huge drops into Coire Toll an Lochain. Sadly th views south into the Fisherfield wilderness were very hazy. |
Sören on the summit of Sgurr Fiona, with the pinnacled ridge behind. |
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Along the ridge over the Corrag Bhuidhe pinnacles. We kept to the crest where possible, and used the path on the trickier sections. The Abhainn Strath na Sealgais hazily visible 800m below. |
Looking back (west) from Sail Liath to the Corrag Bhuidhe Buttress, Sgurr Fiona and Bidein a'Ghlas Thuill |
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Lord Berkeley's Seat The dramatic vertical drop from Lord Berkeley's Seat into
Coire Toll an Lochain. |
Route map
To see an OS 1:50000 map of this mountain, click here
To see a road map of the area around this mountain, click here
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Comments or questions? david@dbethune.com |
