Tom a’ Choinich and Toll Creagach, Glen Affric; and Sgurr na Diollaid
Tom a’ Choinich and Toll Creagach, Glen Affric
We assembled at Chisholm Bridge car park at the west end of the glen. The party consisted of Richard, Helen, Diana, May and Sean and Orla fourlegs. Our aim for the day was (to get away from the midges) and to climb Tom a’ Choinich and Toll Creagach. We were pleasantly surprised at the arrival of Martyn who turned up for a short walk and to accompany us to the dam.
We decided to climb the hills clockwise as the wind was coming from the west and folk were keen to get through the boggy Gleann nam Fiadh. We climbed higher and traversed the slope of the glen to avoid the bog to reach the start of the climb up the spur of Creag na h-Inghinn where we had our tea break. A good stiff climb saw us up onto the gentler slopes and to the summit of Tom a’ Choinich at 1112m. There was a surprisingly cold wind on the summit so we decided to drop below the lip of the corrie to take shelter for lunch and to admire the view down Loch Mullardoch. There was a drizzle in the air but distinct rain clouds over Sgurr na Diollaid which was being climbed by another party from the club.
We the dropped down the sharp arrête to the Bealach Toll Easa at 872m and then up the gentle 2k over smooth ground to Toll Creagach at 1053m. There had been new exclosure fencing erected on the shoulder of Beinn Eun so we decided to descend the hill by the shallower slopes to the west of the crags dropping into the glen to meet the service track to the dam. By this time there was a real smeer of rain so we were damp by the time we reached the car park at 5pm. It was a quick goodbye to get away from the midges.
It was a grand day out and great to meet a couple of, hopefully, new members.
Taking part: Richard (and Orla), Helen, May, Diana and Sean
Words: Richard Photos: Sean
Ascending Creag na h-Inghinn
Tom a'Choinich summit ridge
Orla - "Why are we here?"
Summit party - May, Helen, Richard, Diana (and Orla)
Sheltering below Tom a' Choinnich summit
Descent to the Bealach Toll Easa
Sgòrr na Diollaid
Sunday’s Corbett Walk saw 4 prospective members, Donna, Julie, Jill and Kirsten, myself, as well as Jill’s rescue Collie, Moss, take to Glen Cannich.
A windy yet improving forecast greeted us and upon meeting at the walk starting point, we started off up the hillside through thick ferns. Being on the leeward side of the ridge we were aiming for and dense shrubbery surrounding us, the warmup was rapid and layers were dropping like flies. Eventually we settled into an even pace and upon reaching the ridge, the wind picked up significantly and brought a few showers, meaning layers went back on and we set off once again.
The profile of the hill is an interesting one, with lots of rocky outcrops and a few minor descents into boggy and waterlogged terrain. In places these granted a few, much appreciated, breaks from the gusting wind and it was in one of these calm spots that we stopped for a bite to eat. Recharged, we continued on and arrived at the summit where a minor scramble saw us ascend the final few feet. We were gifted with stunning views of the surrounding hills, most impressive in the direction of Glen Strathfarrar.
After taking in the views for a while, we started back down before the realisation sank in that an item of personal effects had been left on the summit! As a group we made our way back up to the summit area, retracing our exact steps as bets we could, in case the item had fallen along the way. Arriving back at the summit, some eagle-eyed searching from Donna found the phone immediately and with mission accomplished, we started back down once again. To our further reward, the sky began to clear and we were treated to some really warm spells of sunshine albeit still hood-up weather with that wind!
The route down involved a bit more navigation than the way up, with the path seemingly disappearing before our eyes, resulting in a somewhat more creative route down but everyone took it in their stride. Upon hitting the lower areas of the hill and with the carpark in sight, it was t-shirt weather for the last few hundred metres.
All in all a good day out, rounded off nicely with tea, coffee and cake at the Bog Cotton Café before heading home.
Taking part: Craig, Donna, Jill (and Moss), Julie, Kirsten
Words and Photos: Craig
