Stravaig-Day 12(6)

Day 12(6) : Glen Pean to Glenmallie

Wednesday 16^th May

18.4km

1550m ascent

1 Munro

1 Corbett

Looking down Gleann Cuirnean to Glen Pean

A damp overcast midgie start to the day, breakfast in the tent, head net for packing up and away up Gleann Cuirnean. I had planned to climb Streap as the first peak of the day but the knees were very creaky this morning so I decided to miss this out and head over the ridge to Lochan a Chomhlain.

Streap and Sgurr Thuilm

A few rain showers kept me company as I contoured along to the lochan before a steep climb to Braigh nan Uamhachan.

The Braigh nan Uamhachan ridge

Braigh nan Uamhachan is the high point of a beautiful long ridge stretching southwest to Gleann Dubh Lighe but on this occasion I descended by the NE ridge to the ice scoured Gualann nan Osna.

Gulvain from Braigh nan Uamhachan

A short section of peat hags led to the start of the ridge climbing to the south top of Gulvain, this starts steep and ends very steep! There are a mass of boulders here, some ploughing their way slowly down the slope one looking like one of Fionn McCuill's teeth (with a broken crown), he must have been a big lad to have a 6ft square tooth!.

Fionn McCuill's tooth?

Ridge to north summit of Gulvain

After reaching the trig point the cloud came down and I had to imagine the views as I walked along the lovely ridge to the north, and highest, top passing a couple of baggers on the way. (just visible in the picture)

That was a steep way up! Looking past the south top, Loch Sheil in the distance

Glen Mallie

A short, steep, rocky section took me awkwardly down to the East Ridge and then across some friendly peat hags as I descended to Glen Mallie.

Reflections on the River Mallie

I found a nice pitch by the river just past the ruin of Glenmallie. I had to have a good wash as I could not stand the smell any longer so was standing in the river dressed only in a film of soap as the rain started, at least it washed the soap off but prevented me from drying the washing.