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Sgorr Gaoith & Tops

Sgorr Gaoith & Tops from Achlean Car Park in East Glen Feshie

Start/Finish

Car park about 1 km N of Achlean on E side of Glen Feshie. Achlean is on a minor road signposted from the B 970 just N of Feshiebridge.

Distance/Time

20 km      About 7 hours

Peaks

Carn Ban Mor, 1052 m, NN 893 971

Sgorr Gaoith, 1118 m, NN 902 989

Sgoran Dubh Mor, 1111 m, NH 905 002

Meall Buidhe, 976 m, NH 891 101

Geal Charn, 920 m, NH 884 014.      OS Sheets 35 & 36.

Introduction

On a clear day this is a straightforward, albeit strenuous, walk over five high tops. There are excellent views to the western flanks of Braeriach, The Angel's Peak and Cairn Toul plus views to Mullach Clach a' Bhlair and beyond to the Drumochter and Atholl hills. Most of the route is on good paths which are easily followed in clear summer conditions. In mist, the walk needs careful navigation. In winter, it is only for the very experienced and competent winter mountaineer.

Route

(1) From the car park, continue walking up the road until almost at Achlean (one can just see the chimney tops). Take the path which forks left at two large stones and follow it into the forest and out the other side on to the open hill where it climbs the left hand side, N, of Coire Fhearnagan. Higher up, the path crosses a small hollow, running at right angles to the ridge, which may give some shelter from any cold winds before steepening and emerging on to the flat plateau S of Carn Ban Mor where there is a large cairn. Turn left, NNE, and follow the obvious path to the large cairn which is the summit of Carn Ban Mor, 1052 m

(2) Descend NNE, down gentle slopes, still following a good path, to a shallow bealach then ascend, initially steeply, to a small rocky promontory which juts out E towards Braeriach and has a small cairn which is the summit of Sgorr Gaoith, 1118 m. This is an excellent viewpoint but can seem very exposed in strong winds.

(3) Descend easy slopes NNE to a shallow bealach, still following the path, then ascend easy slopes to the large cairn which is the summit of Sgoran Dubh Mor, 1111 m. Both to the eye and in terms of descent and ascent, this peak can give the illusion of being higher then Sgorr Gaoith.

(4) Descend SW, down pathless grassy/stony slopes, to reach the wide grassy bealach at about NN 899 998. This can require careful navigation in mist. Turn W and ascend about 20 m over an unnamed top at NN 898 998. Descend NW into a shallow bealach then ascend NNW on grassy/stony slopes to the medium cairn which is the summit of Meall Buidhe, 976 m.

(5) Descend NNW into an obvious hollow running at right angles to the ridge and which has an obvious path slanting out of it to the left. Cross the minor top with a slight descent beyond then ascend NNW to the curving shelter cairn which is the summit of Geal Charn, 920 m.

(6) Descend roughly SW down grassy/stony/heathery slopes to reach the good engineered path which can be followed back to the road from where it is about a 40 minute walk, S, back to the car park.

Notes

(a) This walk took place on 25th May, 2011.

(b) The top of Meall Dubhag is omitted from this walk as it fits better with an ascent of Mullach Clach a' Bhlair. It can easily be included by turning right when the plateau is gained then retracing before ascending Carn Ban Mor. This would add about an extra hour in good conditions.

(c) To include both Mullach Clach a' Bhalir and Meall Dubhag and ascend from higher up Glen Feshie would add about three hours in good conditions but one should be aware that the old bridge at about NN 846 937 was washed away on 3/9/09 and it is now necessary to stay on the east side of the Feshie to reach the ascent track from the old bridge.

(d) To include the “strange” Munro top of Tom Dubh at NN 921 951, descend to the track along the Moine Mhor which can then be followed to its end before a gentle ascent leads to the summit. This involves considerable loss of height and adds nearly 2 hours to the walk. Tom Dubh is more easily incorporated into an ascent of Monadh Mor from Achlean via the Carn ban Mor path.

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