Colin Cowie started the weekend with an impromptu swim in Loch Affric, before kayaking westwards.  He records “paddled in Friday, was blint [sic] by sun in eyes”. The small waterfall between the loch and the cottage curtailed further progress upstream.  Others walked or cycled in, followed a little later by Ben, Wendy and Jake in the 4×4.

The weather on Saturday was good and a lot of folk had their eyes on Mam Sodhail.  Despite Spring making progress in the valley, Winter was still very much in control higher up and so the summit proved a challenging goal.  Debbie Raymont scouted out the corries.  Ben and Wendy ascended via Alt Coire Ghaidheil, but were thwarted about 1km from the summit by steep snow/ice and crap crampons.  However, views of a Golden Eagle (twice) were a good consolation prize.  

Brent, Dianne and Dottie Wildman ascended the steep slopes to the north of Strawberry Cottage.  Brent records: “at circa 1000m, had to don crampons.  Long trek on icy snow to summit of Mam Sodhail, where I allowed a weeping Dianne to finally have something to eat.  Too late for the second munro [Carn Eighe], so retreated back along the ridge (the path that Ben and Wendy intended to come up was definitely out as we could not see over the cornice).  Fabulous views all day and crowned by the antics of a fox below us on the return.“

Maurice set off for Mullach na Dheiragain, the depressingly distant munro located at the end of the long northeast ridge of Sgurr nan Creathramhnan.  In summer, it’s just a long walk, shortened only slightly by a steep traverse of Coire nan Dearcag.  But in winter the decent into the corrie looked too steep, so Maurice wisely turned back. 

Dan and Sheena headed west to Sgurr Gaorsaic and Sgurr nan Creathramhnan.  “Cycled to the SYHA and stashed the bikes.  Walked on for another few kilometres and stopped for second breakfast [take note Brent] at an old sheiling, whilst watching a Golden Eagle scouring the hillside for prey.  Ascended Sgurr Gaorsaic and took in the views, before returning to the bealach and starting the long pull up to the West Top of Sgurr nan Creathramhnan and first lunch [take note again Brent].  It was an “interesting” traverse from the West Top to the true summit, including a bit of downclimbing to negotiate a few rocky outcrops.  On reaching the true summit we were surprised to see Jake OMN Lee a mere 20m down the east ridge.  Jake explains: “Two Jakes decided to go into the hills.  There was Truth and there was Memory.  Memory had a plan, but Truth, being wise, knew that the plan was foolish and so counselled against it.  As Truth was always right and as Memory was often mistaken and always old, Truth was winning the argument and the foolish plan was going to be ditched.  It was at this point however that Jake’s snivelling cousin Ego turned up.  Ego whispered his poison, Memory re-wrote Truth and the ascent of Sgurr nan Creathramhnan began.  Many painful hours later Truth was vindicated, Ego was deflated and memory swore never to do that again. Again…“

There was a sharp frost on Saturday night and the morning broke bright and clear.  We swept the hut and collected firewood and then everyone went their separate ways.  The records are scant, but Colin records his return journey: “Kayak was about 15 minutes walk from the hut. Started off back down the loch, bright sun behind me. Went over to South end to avoid sun as it getting side on. Half way out the loch was lightly frozen so ploughed through to North side which was ok. Sneaking along the edge every now and then it was frozen but managed to get through ok. Lad I had met on the way in had a Canadian canoe and was looking for wild cats. I seen his teepee he was staying in till Monday so hopefully it didn’t freeze up anymore.”  Dan and Sheena ascended Carn a’ Choire Ghairbh on the south side of the glen opposite the cottage.  Great views from the summit and various animal tracks in the snow (deer, fox and ptarmigan).

Once again, a great weekend in Glen Affric.  Still no strawberries, but nae midges and plenty of sun. 

Thank you very much to Dan Moysey for the write up.