As I drove up on the Friday night, I thought this was a good omen, red sky at night being good for sheep etc...
Another dodgy camp-site, at the foot of a route. But between 9pm and 8am no-one seemed to mind. Again not really recommended, there were some big stobs or bricks in the ground, but a
wee dram helped me get over that and sleep alright.
Not the most inspiring start to the day, as all my hills lie up there.
So I go the sheep, pity about the weather!
Pretty in the rain.
Looking up Gleann na Sguaib - no improvement yet.
A dismal morning
Challenging river crossing - Allt Gleang a Mhadaidh enjoying the rain
Heading up stream. looking for a suitable place to cross
Crossed eventually, and back on the track. Lot of compass bearings and getting confused getting from the end of the track round Cadha Dearg, lost in the mist, and dodgy things like that.
But I found my way to the top of Seana Bhraigh, one of those "most remote" Scottish munros. Given the weather I can see why!
Stunning views from the top not really making it all worthwhile!
Heading back I managed to take more accurate compass bearings, and not get lost, which was nice. And finally the clouds lifted enough for me to see Cadha Dearg which I had managed to walk round.
Looking straight down Cadha Dearg from the beleach. Seana Bhraigh up on the right in the mist.
The day improves, and I can get a view of Seana Bhraigh across the moors.
At last, sight of the top of Eididh nan Clach Geala. Not overly inspiring1
Damn these hills with two cairns on the top. Had to walk an extra 20 yards, perhaps for nothing!
A better view of the hill before munro number three - Ceann Garbh. Though at the time I thought that was Meall nan Ceapraichean.
Had thought about bowing out after two, and heading down that track past Lochan a'Chnapaich, but the weather was improving.
From the top of Ceann Garbh it became obvious I had further to do to get onto Meall nan Ceapraichean on the right. Beinn Dearg is behind with the great wall line just visible, and Cona' Mheall on the left. At this point I began to think I could achieve all five after all, despite my leg starting to feel a bit sore.
And to the West - An Teallach and others. Day definitely improving.
Top of number 3.
Reached the top of #3 - Meall nan Ceapraichean. Looking back to where I have been already. 13 miles down, 10 to go.
So two more hills to complete the round. Nice and close to each other, and given the roughly seven mile hike in and out, I thought it best to try and do them all. Probably not a good idea, as I had already started on the iboprofen to take away the pain!
The long walk out, down to Invelael at the head (or foot?) of Loch Broom. Fisherfield Six and An Teallach still off in the distance.
And the top of #4 - with Seana Bhraigh behind, a long way off. No idea what the pointy hill on the right is though!
Looking West to Beinn Dearg with Meall nan Ceapraichean to the right.
Impressive view of Loch Prille and Loch na Still under Meallan Ban and Am Faochagach. Need to come back for that one.
Looking South down to Loch a'Gharbhrain adn Loch Glascarnoch, with the Fannichs behind
Loch a'Choire Ghranda from the beleach, as I contemplated whether to do Beinn Dearg (of course I did!).
Looking back up Cona' Mheall. Wasn't too hard at all.
Part way up Beinn Dearg, alongside the famous wall
Cona' Mheall looking even smaller now.
Summit number five - at last. About 15 miles gone, and ten hours. Looking west to the Fisherfields, with Loch Broom in the middle.
And to the North, from the left, Meall nan Ceapraichaen, Eididh nan Clach Geala, and in the distance Seana Bhraigh.
So many hills, and I think I had done them all! (Well the ones over 3,000 feet anyway, except for An Teallach and Slioch, which were conquered later).
North and West - might just be able to see Conival and Ben More Assynt from here?
Looking down the shoulder of Beinn Dearg - more wall, and Loch Broom.
Back down at the beleach, ready to drop down into the Gleann na Sguaib for the treck home.
Cliffs of Diollaid a' Mhill Bhric
Where the path splits for Eididh nan Clach Gealal. Meall nan Ceapraichean on the left, and Beinn Dearg to the right.
Then it was back to the car for a drive north, stock up on ibuprofen, and pitch the tent again.