Strathfarrar Six

Last Saturday an elite team of AMC-ers gathered in Cannich campsite for Ann’s official birthday meet, kept deliberately quiet as it clashed with the club meet that we couldn’t make. Capitalising on the availability of transport the route of choice was the traverse of the fine ridge of six Munros (four Summits, two Tops) on the north side of Strathfarrar.

The Mullardoch hills from the first ascent

Ann, John, Mel, Steve and Morna met Rod (on another early start from home) in time for the charade of the opening of the locked gate that passes for an access arrangement to the glen. Then, cars suitably positioned, we headed up onto the eastern end of the ridge. This seems like the more unusual direction to tackle the route but none of us had done it that way and it has the advantages of getting the bigger climbs over with sooner and better views. The pull up to the first summit was a tad tedious but things improved once we had some more extensive views. There was a lot less snow around than the previous weekend but the biting northerly wind made up for that. 

Final summit in sight

The cloud finally got us

The traverse of the next few hills was very pleasant but uneventful until second lunch on the final summit, when the thickening cloud finally touched ground and the snow started. After marvelling at the unusually thick snow flakes that looked more like cake decorations, we dashed along the final bit of ridge and dropped into the shelter of the corrie, where it was more like summer. Then back to the campsite for a chilly but dry BBQ and birthday cake!