Eididh nan Clach Geala, Meall nan Ceapraichean,Cona' Meall &

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The Hills: Eididh nan Clach Geala, Meall nan Ceapraichean, Cona’ Meall & Beinn Dearg
Date: 04-05-09
Folk: Al, Rod, Davy & me
Distance: 16miles (26km)
Ascent: 5714 ft (1750m)
Time: 10hrs
Weather: Fierce winds and driving rain most of the day. Diabolical might be a good word

The last time I did these hills it was on a good day at the end of July ’05 and I was able to include Seanna Bhraigh as well. Didn’t fancy that this time in the prevailing conditions!

We set off from Inverlael (NH182853) with a view to starting the round with Eididh nan Clach Geala. There is a lot of forestry work going on coupled with some water works and the area is somewhat untidy at present but there are good signs marked Beinn Dearg which took us clear of the woods at NH214849 from where we took the good path up Gleann na Sguaib passing Eas Fionn en route to a fork in the track at NH234835



From there pursued by a strong wind and driving rain we forked left again on a good path and Lochan na Chnapaich soon came into view. At NH251838 we came on a cairn indicating a rough path up to the west ridge of Eididh nan Clach Geala. As we gained altitude the wind increased in proportion and by the time we reached the ridge care was needed not to be blown over
We carried on east up the ridge and found a cairn on a flat rocky area where the wind was really wild and got some shelter behind some rocks. A check on the map and GPS confirmed that this was not the top and a further couple of hundred meters of wind bashed walking was needed to gain the summit.
When I rule the world it will be a capital offence to build spurious cairns near the summit of hills
We were glad to get down to the Lochan at NH266837 where the wind was less vicious and we had some shelter till we crossed the top Ceann Garbh and were then into fierce wind and rain again to the summit of Meall na Ceapraichean. Photography was not on as there was nothing to see and I didn’t fancy getting the camera out.
From Meall na Ceapraichean we descended to a lochan at NH263822 and from there we crossed the point marked 886 on the way to Cona’ Mheall. On the east side of the point we stopped for a bite to eat and to gather our wits behind a nice arrangement of rocks.
Just at that Cona’ Meall blew clear and we could se the path to the summit so we ascended quickly as the visibility closed down again. Very blustery on the summit area.
We descended and took the path round the 886 top to the dyke which runs up the Beinn Dearg from the bealach at NH263819 where I got some photographs. It was heartening to see the moss campion blooming in this wild and windy place.









On we went to the last peak of the day Beinn Dearg. We followed the rough path up the right hand side of the dyke. This was quite difficult as the wind was very strong and steep steps up had to wait for lulls. The wall does not go to the summit. Reached the summit with a feeling of some achievement even though there was still a 6 mile walk to the car
We descended on a line to the west of the wall picking up a good path west back to the junction of paths at NH234835 into the still strong wind. This is an impressive place to be with mighty sheer cliffs on the left. There are plenty of water crossings but despite the rain no problems
From the junction it was follow the outward path to the car
A tough day out due to the wind and rain, but a real sense of satisfaction having done the route despite everything
We later enjoyed refreshment at Kinlochewe hotel looking for a goodnight's sleep at the Bunkhouse before tackling Beinn Eighe on the morrow
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[SimonP]

Sounded quite wild and exciting, although you were probably less thrilled at the time. Just those four is a pretty good round. A pity about the lack of photos, but I enjoyed those you did manage.
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Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity.

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