Sgurr a Bealaich Dheirg

After the long drive north, we were Sleepless in Seattle Awake in Invergarry at 7 and after tea, bacon rolls and showers, we were out into a promising day; blue skies above, with wispy cloud strung around the summits of the Munros.

We drove the 25 miles o the Cluanie Inn with increasing wonder at the vistas. A couple of miles past the Inn, we parked up and headed up Aonach Meadhion - a path soon disappearing as we clamber up into Coire Na Cadha. A tough slog but with glorious views to the South Glen Sheil ridge behind us. We've been threatening to do it for a while now, so hopefully in the next couple of months...?

So up and up and 2 hours of toil saw us pop out onto the summit plateau and nab the first of the day.

Turning west, we descended over some hairy little scrambles and narrow ridges and slightly dodgy snowy bits, but eventually we pulled up onto the summit of Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg (that's the one in the shot.)

The final ridge out to the top is - erm - fun? 20 yards of narrow ridge with drops either side. Not one for a windy, wet or icy day.

Leek and potato soup then gave way to another twisting descent and the final haul up to Saileag and the stunning views across to the Five Sisters - 7 years since I was last here.

A painful descent and a fortuitous lift back to the car saving a good four miles and we set off into the sunset; back across to Invergarry, left at Spean Bridge and across to the A9. Pitlochry for a brief stop and then home around 9.

Hot bath, loads of tea and a deep deep sleep. 162 down, 120 left to do.