FISHERFIELD FOREST MUNROS

A' Mhaigdean 

I was out guiding a group of 6 folk on the Fisherfield Forest Munros over the long Bank Holiday weekend. What a dramatic change in weather and underfoot conditions from just 7 days previous. Only a week ago we were clad in winter gear and walking in snow with poor visibility and temperatures of below freezing on the Cairngorm summits. This weekend it was 24.1 C in Kinlochewe, the warmest place in the UK.

SATURDAY 29 MAY

Our home for 2 days

On Saturday I met up with my group of 6 folk all keen and eager for our mini adventure on these fantastic mountains in Wester Ross. Most people who want to 'bag' these Munros walk in from Collie Harrie to Shenevall Bothy and set up camp on the North side of this group of hills. We took a much less frequented approach starting at Incheril near Kinlochewe and walking into beautiful Lochan Fada. From this remote, hidden Loch we walked up to a lovely coire close to our first summit in preparation for the following morning.

Lochan Fada

Red Deer near camp.

It was a pleasant, midge free evening and there were around 6 Red Deer near our camp. We had a wee stroll to tomorrows bealach for beautiful sunset views.

Sunset over Beinn Dearg Mor & An Teallach 

On the nearby cliffs  were the sounds of two Ring Ouzel. During the night I could hear at least two Ptarmigan not too far away from our tents. 

SUNDAY 30 MAY

A glorious morning with blue skies and the sun soon streaming through my tent. We were away by 8am for a big day climbing the Western Fisherfield Munros of Beinn Tarsuinn,  A' Mhaigdean & Ruadh Stac Mor.

Gleann na Muice and An Teallach 

Beinn Tarsuinn summit

Our 'base camp' is at 650m so it wasn't long before we were on the top of Beinn Tarsuinn. Wonderful views and it was already a very warm morning. The continuing ridge from the main summit is narrow and offers some wonderful, very easy scrambling on Torridonian Sandstone. 

Beinn Tarsuinn 

Slioch and Lochan Fada

Along the ridge

Slioch and Lochan Fada dominate the views to the South as you move along the ridge. The scrambling is very easy and in a wonderful situation. 

Beinn Tarsuinn's ridge

Great place 

Looking towards An Teallach 

Sandstone Towers 

After the fun of the ridge there is a fair descent down to 525m. The ground is very dry just now with the warm conditions. This made walking a doddle in the wide, flat, peat hagged bealach. The sound of Golden Plover was fantastic here and one popped up to show off their stunning plumage.

The descent from Tarsuinn 

A' Mhaigdean next

A long reascent up to the finest peak in this collection of mountains, A' Mhaigdean. The view from this hill is reputed to be the finest view from any Munro. On a day like today I wouldn't argue with that.

The finest view off any Munro?

Beinn Lair from the top

Lunch on the summit with the fine views out to the coast and down to the lochs of Fionn and Dubh. Stunning. One more Munro to climb. Ruadh Stac Mor offers an initial ascent through steep broken tiers of Sandstone. Worth the effort for the views on top.

Heading up Ruadh Stac Mor 

 
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Gazing across to An Teallach from the top

Now just a long walk back to camp. A reascent over Beinn Tarsuinn in beautiful late afternoon/evening  light.

Back along Beinn Tarsuinn Ridge for the long trek back and a late supper.

Beinn Tarsuinn twice

Tomorrow's objective

MONDAY 1 May

Our last day in the Fisherfield. Another glorious blue skies morning and no midges! The final two Munros of Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair and Sgurr Ban from our high camp is a much shorter day. 

Another glorious day 

Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair 

Beinn Tarsuinn from the Fhearchair 

A reascent over Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair is needed to get back to the tents. It was hot by midday but a good stiff breeze was blowing. We had lunch back at 'basecamp' before the walk back out.

Ptarmigan eggs, hopefully they  all hatched successfully 

Young Adder

A fab 3 days with a fab group of folk. A sizzling end to the day back out. Wonderful. 

I was guiding for Wayymark Outddors this weekend.

SUMMER ARRIVES IN THE CAIRNGORMS

 

Coire an Lochain from Loch Morlich 

In just a matter of days we've gone from sub zero temperatures on the higher Cairngorm summits to balmy double figures. Warm sunsine and blue skies the last couple of days. The heat and sunshine set to continue into early next week. Suddenly it's Summer.

WEDNESDAY 26 MAY

Food time

Spring pelage

Beautiful late afternoon in the Monadhliath 

After a wet and dreary couple of days in Strathspey we enjoyed a beautiful late afternoon on Wednesday. This time of year is superb to go for a late afternoon and early evening wander into the local hills. No worries about daylight,  it doesn't get dark till 10pm. It's also a lovely time to photograph the Mountain Hare. I caught one fella feeding and having his dinner in the evening sunshine. 

THURSDAY 27 MAY

Shelterstone Crag

Forecast for a stunning day. I did have a chap booked onto a Navigation Course for today, unfortunately he had car troubles so had to reschedule his booking. I took the opportunity to go for a wander in the Cairngorms. The temperatures had rocketed.

Lots of snow on Cairn Gorm still

Ptarmigan in sunshine 

I got off paths very quickly to find peaceful hills. I also wanted to check out to see if the Dotterel had landed in the Cairngorms. I was always doubtful with so much snow still lying deep. 

Ciste Mhearad 

Deep snow

I headed round to the South side of the Cairngorms where the warm sun had melted some of the snow. By lunchtime I was down to baselayer. 

Loch A'an

Cairn Gorm from the south 

Fabulous walking and wonderful views. You needed your sunglasses for sure if walking in any snowfields. 

Loch A'an from Stag Rocks

Raven

Calling!

Around Stag Rocks There was a beautiful and noisy Raven calling for some time, echoing around the Loch A'an basin. Wonderful. There has been an increase in these intelligent corvids in the last few years on the high Cairngorms. They can predate on eggs and young ground nesting birds.

Walkers enroute to Ben Macdui 

I slowly made my way back along the Northern Corries in the late afternoon. 

Shelterstone 

A distant Ben Macdhui 

Cairn Gorm

Coire an t-sneachda 

It was still hot by 6pm. A fabulous bike ride back down the hill and Glenmore. 

Top of Alladin's 

Loch Morlich 

The beautiful Mallard

FRIDAY 28 MAY

Another glorious and very warm day. Only time for a wander down to one of our local lochs in the evening. 

Lovely evening