Munros in the key of George: The Achnashellach and Torridon Hills: Sgorr Ruadh (195)

Walk date: 27/06/11
My Munro #'s: 212

Pronunciations - translations - heights:

Skoor rooa - red peak - 962m

Statistics:

Duration - 12:00 - 17:00
Distance - 16.2 km
Total ascent - 948m
Weather - 'bright grey'

Team - with Paul P

Other hikers: 2

Paul P and George 'Daddy Team' Hiking Trip 2011

Day 3 - Monday

Having done 'Superbig', this freed up a day in our week allowing us to head back to the Achnashellach arena and have a second go at Sgorr Ruadh, having been defeated on a previous excursion due to horrendous weather, see here.

Well the weather on this day was certainly better. As Paul put it, it was pleasantly 'bright grey'. We set off quite late in the day, due to a deserved lie-in, but then also a motor bike crash just down from the bunkhouse, which necessitated an air ambulance landing on the road just outside!

The route up past the train station, into the forest and out is straightforward enough, and then the good path leads you climbing up alongside the River Lair. After a while the path flattens out as you enter the upper glen, with gentler slopes taking you up to the bealach between the munros with its excellent views over to Liathach in Torridon proper.

The climb of Sgorr Ruadh then starts in earnest and is unsurprising to start with, before rock outcrops are met and some minor scrambling is required, something that wouldn't have been good if we'd have pushed on with the last attempt!!

Nonetheless, the summit is soon reached with the good path providing amazing panoramic views over nearby hills and the western coast. Our route on was to head for Fuar Tholl but then to descend before it. This worked out well but for a fair while was pathless and a little hard work around Loch a' Bhealaich Mhoir with many ups and downs and outcrops to walk around. Anyway, soon enough a good path is met which links with the ascent route. A fine day out with kind weather such as this!

Fuar Tholl looking good: