Sunday. This became a depressingly familiar view from my tent!
After a late start, those of us who hadn't braved the Five Sisters (or gone to Skye in search of the Talisker Distillery) headed up the track behind the campsite towards Sgurr Mhic Bharraich
There was water, water everywhere...only some of it in the Allt Undalain
Sgurr na Creige and Coire Caol
Paul, Larissa, Gill and Oliver pause for a break as we reach the summit plateau
On the way down: Loch Coire nan Crogachan
Paul was tempted by a swim, but decided against it
Typical Scottish geology: a complete mess, but a rather beautiful one
Monday. An early start for the South Shiel Ridge
It was a bit damp as we started along the track...
...but there were promising signs (and nearly enough blue sky to make a sailor a pair of trousers). View back to Cluanie and Am Bathach
Red deer: well-camouflaged at this time of year
Cluanie Reservoir
Acsending to Creag a' Mhaim, with Beinn Loinne behind
Loch Loyne
We hit the summit of Aonach air Chrith just as the cloud cleared
The way ahead...
...but first, a substantial photo faff (very much justified!)
Chris, Dave, Joe, Gill and Oliver in the sunshine
And yes, I was there too
View west to Druim Coire nan Eirecheanach and Glen Shiel between the clouds
Eventually we decided we really ought to be moving on
Ribbons of reflected light on the flanks of Gleouraich to the south
Easter Glen Quoich Burn on its way to Loch Quoich
Rain set in for the rest of the day as we left the summit of Maol Chinn-Dearg, which made crossing the Eas a' Chait on the way down slightly more of a challenge than it might have been
Tuesday. Ciste Dhubh. While most of the party went over Am Bathach first, Ken and I headed directly up An Caorann Beag
Not quite the summit, but An Chapach was a good target at the head of the valley
The view back towards Cluanie - and some sunshine!
Looking NW from Bealach a'Choinich - and for a way across the bog
View NE - the South Ridge of Mullach Fraoch-choire looking rather forbidding/inviting...?
View SW to Sgurr a'Bhealaich Dheirg
Ken on the skyline, heading towards An Chapach
At last, a clear view of the summit
Allt Cam-ban, leading to Fionngleann and Glen Affric; Beinn Fhada forms the skyline
The summit
Looking south to Loch Cluanie from the top
After a rather sharp shower, we had a cloudier descent to Bealach a'Choinich (Am Bathach to left)
An Caorann Beag
Wednesday. Five Sisters of Kintail. Dave, Oliver and Gill at Bealach an Lapan
A rare view of the way ahead
Descending from Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe, with Sgurr na Carnach and Sgurr Fhuaran ahead
Glen Shiel
The group with A' Mhuing beyond, and Sgurr Mhic Bharraich beyond that
Double rainbow across Shiel Bridge and Loch Duich
View NW from Sgurr nan Saighead
Heading down beside Allt a'Chruinn
Hill-fog? Sea-fog? Just low cloud? It was quite cool, anyway
The usual classy location for dinner...
Thursday. Mostly spent drying out, with a stroll along the south side of Loch Duich later. Classic view of the Five Sisters (well, four of them anyway: Sgurr nan Saighead, Sgurr Fhuaran, Sgurr na Carnach and Sgurr na Ciste Dubh - with Sgurr na Moraich crashing the party on the left)
Finally, a nice evening! This proved a good sign...
Friday. The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine. Oliver and Gill modelling Windrush Headbands at the campsite
Looking NW down Glen Shiel from the stalker's path up from Malagan Bridge
A pause at Bealach na Craoibhe, to contemplate the Forcan Ridge and admire the view back to Glen Shiel...
...which was rather stunning.
Mary, Joe, DC, Paul, Gill, Oliver and Toby
Start of the scramble
Sgurr na Sgine
Joe arriving at the summit
Panorama to the south
Bealach Coire Mhalagain and Sgurr na Forcan
Warm sunshine and spectacular views demanded a lengthy stop on top of Sgurr na Sgine. Looking south to Knoydart: Kinloch Hourn to the left and Ladhar Bheinn in the distance
SE to Buidhe Bheinn
South Shiel Ridge ("oh, so THAT'S what it looks like...")
Another view of the Forcan Ridge
Glen Shiel in the evening light
