CLUB NEWS

Walk review from Lesley Jones & Dee Taylor 20th June 2010 Bruach na Frithe(958m) – Cuillin Hills

The day started off dry but with cloud level down at about 450 meters. 6 of us set off along the really good path from Sligachan towards Glen Brittle. A very pleasant walk was had by the banks of the Ault Dearg Mor as we climbed steadily on a nice dry path towards the Bealach a` Mhaim. The water was very low but the falls and the pools were still a joy to look at. The midges were not!!!!! After about 4 kilometres we struck south towards Fionn Choire where we walked up into the mist (still optimistic, at this point, that the cloud would clear as there were even small patches of blue sky). Soon we were in the cloud so good map reading skills and route finding had to come into play. After a short stop for a tea break at the river source before tackling the final pull up to the summit ridge, we set off into the strangely silent mists.

The path became difficult to find; no views at all to be had but you got the feeling of height and airiness around you, every one kept in close contact with each other and never lost sight of the person in front. The mist was very atmospheric, with black crags suddenly appearing out of the mist in front of us then disappearing quickly behind us. After scrambling along quite a good path that followed a line just below the ridge we joined another group from Wales on the summit before we had a lunch break at the trig point on Bruach na Frithe. It was frustratingly shrouded in mist that felt tantalisingly thin (we could see the shape of the sun through it at times) but it just didn’t clear enough for us to see the view of Loch Coruisk and the rest of the Cuillin ridge that we’d hoped to have. But we still had a very enjoyable day out on the hill.

The decent path was an easy scramble down, breaking out of the mist at about 600mtrs to enjoy a lovely walk back across the very dry and flower-covered moor land to rejoin the inward path by the river and walked back in sunshine to Sligachan Hotel (watching the cloud lifting off the ridge behind us!) We also had sightings of golden plover (and some saw ptarmigan too) on the way down.

Yes, when we looked back the hills had come clear as is the mystery of the Scottish weather....the only consolation was that Bruach never lost the cloud! 4 stayed and enjoyed supper and beer at the hotel while 2 set off home (as far as they could get from the midges). An interesting day, that brought home the need for map reading skills. A big thank you to Mike for his patience and helpfulness on the day.