Date: Tuesday 9th June 2015
Company: Myself and Cuillin
Distance: 16.9km, Ascent: 760m
Time: 5Hrs 15Mins
I had a day off work today so I decided to take advantage of the good weather and head for the hills. After much pondering over maps, I opted to head to the Monadh Liath for an ascent of A'Chailleach and Carn Sgulain.
I arrived in the Glen Banchor car park around 08.30 and soon thereafter set off along the track.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
Two other walkers set off just ahead of me today. I met them numerous times throughout the walk including at the bothy and at both summits.
Track from Glen Banchor:
A' Chailleach in the distance:
I had the pleasure of Cuillin's company today. As Cuillin is now >18 months old, he will now be accompanying myself on more walks.
Cuillin posing on the track:
Looking back:
On reaching a cairn on the track, we left the track to cross the Allt a' Chaorainn via a small wooden bridge. Beyond the bridge it was fairly wet underfoot.
During the ascent of the lower slopes of A' Chailleach, we arrived at a small bothy. We spent around ten minutes inside the bothy where I had a drink, took off a layer of clothes and gave Cuillin some food and water.
Bothy on slopes of A' Chailleach:
Inside the bothy:
Looking back:
As it was fairly hot today, I dunked Cuillin in several burns and large puddles to keep him cool. Whenever I stopped, he tried to dry himself off by rolling on the ground.
Camouflage dog:
Ascending final slopes of A' Chailleach:
I stopped at the summit of A' Chailleach just long enough to take some photos and to give Cuillin some dog treats.
Cuillin at the summit of A' Chailleach:
From A' Chailleach, we made our way down to the col and then made our way up a snow patch on the other side.
Looking across to Carn Sgulain from A' Chailleach:
Approaching the col between A' Chailleach and Carn Sgulain:
Cuillin on the snow patch:
We passed several snow patches during the ascent of Carn Sgulain. As we crossed one of the snow patches, a hare ran out across the patch just in front of us.
Hare one minute, gone the next:
Cuillin on a snow patch:
The ascent of Carn Sgulain involved crossing lots of peat.
Ascending Carn Sgulain:
Looking back to A' Chailleach from Carn Sgulain:
Cairngorms (zoom):
We initially visited the small summit cairn before making our way over to the larger lower cairn.
Cuillin at the summit of Carn Sgulain:
Looking towards A' Chailleach from the summit of Carn Sgulain:
I had a look at the map at the summit and decided to return via a different route. I could see a landrover track marked on the map that made its way out to Glen Banchor. I therefore decided to make my way down to pick up the start of this track.
Descent from Carn Sgulain:
Descent from Carn Sgulain:
The initial descent was fine. However on reaching the valley the ground was very wet underfoot.
A' Chailleach:
Shortly before picking up the landrover track, I almost stood on a Ptarmigan which stayed on its eggs right until the last-minute before making lots of noise and pretending it had a broken wing to entice us away from its nest. I am glad Cuillin was on his lead such that I could keep him under control and away from the bird.
Ptarmigan:
Cairngorms (zoom):
The landrover track was good however the footpath beyond was terrible; non-existent in places and extremely wet underfoot. I wouldn't recommend my return route. It was a relief to eventually reach Glen Banchor and to walk circa 1km along dry tarmac back to the car.