I couldn’t put it off any longer, the name Seana Bhraigh continually stared back at me accusingly every time I looked at this section of map. One off Scotland’s most remote mountains with a close to 20 kilometre walk in had me putting it off again and again, but no longer, the time had come.
I’d planned a short first day doing only about 2 kilometres, but the spot I’d planned to camp at though nice and grassy was on arrival, still, humid and with every chance of it becoming a midge metropolis. I pushed on up above the tree line on to the open moorland but could find nowhere to pitch my tent, deep heather and boggy ground were all around. I settled for a small patch of flat, dry grass amongst the peat haggs, not the most glamorous of spots but it did offer shelter from the wind,
Camp 1
Water was the next problem, the legs didn’t have enough energy to drop way down the steep slope and back again, a half kilometre trot along the path to a river was needed, I just made it back as the rain kicked in. It was time for a cup of tea.
An early start the next morning and it was time to tackle the bulk of the walk in, it was a long twisty path with lots of up and down the skies remaining dull and grey.
Looking back
After many breaks for a breather I finally arrived, ,I’d planned for one of two possible camp sites, I opted for the lower easier option because my legs were out of fuel but also because it was quite breezy and might increase in strength later on. It was a wise choice, it got breezier later on.
Camp 2
My second camp had great views looking towards the summit of Seana Bhraigh and wasn’t too far from a source of water. Oh, and it was almost flat.
The next day it was still breezy but the sun made an appearance and an almost early start saw me head on up towards the summit of Seana Bhraigh, it was a fair old pull but Munro 226 was bagged and the views quite extensive and spectacular.
Looking up to Seana Bhraigh
View from near the summit
It was much the case of not wanting to leave the summit but it was according to my stomach time to head back for lunch.
I made my way back down varying my route slightly to see what I could see, it seemed longer heading back and when I could just see my tent it looked small and distant, my stomach rumbled.
A long way back…
I stopped a few times when a possible image caught my eye.
As is often the case the closer I got, I didn’t actually seem to be getting any closer, mind you, if I didn’t keep stopping to take photographs perhaps my return would have been quicker.
Back at base
A leisurely lunch, some reading and sitting in the sun on my return were a joy together with a little pottering about. It was nice to relax and not have to be pushing on. I spent my third night here, it was a beautiful spot.
The next day it was grey cloudy and it was time to pack up and prepare for the long walk out.
A distant An Teallach
Photo opportunities still presented themselves on the walk out, it prolonged the walk but gave a chance of a break as well. Numerous folk were walking in doing a day trip, wow that’s a long day and the most asked question was ‘Are we close?’ I smiled, they still had a fair way to go.
One couple I met had camped at the spot where I was going to spend my first night, they confirmed my suspicions, they were eaten alive by midgies and were under siege in there tent the night before. Glad i listened to my inner voice, experience saving me.
I may have put this trip off many times but now there was an immense feeling of satisfaction having completed it and might even return, well, maybe… :)