Glen Affric weekend - 2-4 August 2024
On Friday evening eight members met at the head of Glen Affric to venture into the wilderness! Sadly two members had to drop out at the last minute.
Strawberry Cottage is nearly five miles up a bumpy track at the foot of the mountains. Having checked the solar charge level, turned the gas on and fought the midges which had entered with us, we settled down to a late dinner and lively chat. This included walks for the next day, but also where to source 'udder cream'.. Midge nets were deployed for toilet visits, while citronella candles helped inside!
Saturday dawned bright and still, so the midges greeted us cheerfully until we found the breeze around the corner. Despite being well into the mountains some long walks were on the cards, with the odd shower and low cloud compensated for by big views.
Strawberry Cottage, Glen Affric
Irene and Dan hiked over Mam Sodhail and Carn Eighe, reaching the distant Beinn Fhionnlaidh, before returning the same way, clocking up 26km. Michael had arrived on his bike and navigated the length of Glen Affric to the bothy of Camban for lunch. He was very glad of the full-suspension in coping with the track. Following the ride he also walked up Gleann-na-Ciche getting a good photograph of Strawberry Cottage from the other side of the glen.
Robin, and Anna on her first trip, climbed up Man Sodhail, aiming to tick off some of its Munro tops.
View westwards down Glen Affric to Beinn Fhada
Mel, Margaret and Martin had several potential goals including Mel's sixth-last Munro of Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan and Margaret's goal of the distant Mullach na Dheiragain. Although the guidebook distance was only 20km, there was an additional 5km each way to the Alltbeithe youth hostel as a warm-up. Both goals were achieved, along with plenty of wide-ranging discussion. Illness the previous week had left Margaret low on energy stores, but little-and-often fuelling and a steady pace was effective. Despite being one of the most distant peaks to reach Mullach na Dheiragain got eight people summiting it that day, with tactics including camping out, a long cycle, a boat up Loch Mullardoch and our use of Strawberry Cottage.
Upper Glen Affric
Looking north from Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan to Mullach na Dheiragain
On the Ceathreamhnan ridge, An Socach behind
Sunday had lower cloud, stronger winds and drizzle at times. Generally shorter activities were planned, with another top and a walk alongside the loch planned, along with topping up the water supply and getting the cars out.
Michael cycled out of Glen Affric and followed the Affric-Kintail Way as far as the Dog Falls through some beautiful natural woodland.
Irene and Dan climbed the Corbett of Carn a' Choire Ghairbh, SE of the cottage, before returning to their car and driving bags out. Martin and Mel took advantage of the terrain to walk from the cottage to the Loch head via a couple of Corbetts. The first was the same peak of Carn a' Choire Ghairbh as Irene and Dan, but they then headed cross country on rough ground to Aonach Shasuinn via Carn a' Choire Ghuirm and the An Elric plateau. At times in cloud and chill winds, they were glad to see the views opening up as they descended steeply off of Aonach Shasuinn. Throughout there was plenty of discussion about the wild flowers and why Cloudberry only fruits in some areas.. The highlight though was seeing an Adder on the way off, hissing at Mel to warn us of its presence. It wasn't exactly sunning itself, but doing it's best on a breezy damp day!
All in all it was an enjoyable and memorable weekend.
Plotting a descent from Aonach Shasuinn
Words: Martin, Michael; Photos: Melanie, Michael & Martin