Five Westerly Fannichs but not without pain

Hill(s): Western Fannichs (5): A' Chailleach (997m), Sgurr Breac (999m), Sgurr nan Each (923m), Sgurr nan Clach Geala (1093m) and Meall a' Chrasgaidh (934m)
Category: Munro’s
Height: n/a
Today was a walk, that as a group of hills, not many will attempt and although successful it had its downside for me. Most people will tackle the first two and the last three as separate days but we went for the full walk, brave or stupid?
To be fair I knew beforehand that this was a beast of walk, the highest number of metres ascended in a day for me. The weather held good for the first two hills, began its deterioration mildly on hill 3 and was full on rain and wind for the last two.
A very small parking area just room for us before 9am.
From the start after the wooded walk we hit the moor where we initially gained good height. Although it looked steep and  intimidating a reasonable wet/boggy path takes you to the crest.

An Teallach and Loch a' Brahoin on the ascent

Now a very boggy plateau walk along Druim Reidh followed by a contour above Loch Toll an Lochain. 

A' Chailleach and Loch Toll an Lochain

This was a long section of boulder scree (this saps the legs) before reaching the bealach.
The worst of this route is that you have to climb A’ Chailleach and then come back down to the bealach. 

Looking back to ascent on right

However the views from the summit were superb across the peaks of Torridon, Fisherfield, Dearg and An Teallach amongst so much more.

View from A' Chailleach to Sgurr Breac (more Fannichs behind)

A great view of the route ahead (without the descent) as we upped and downed onto Sgurr Breac, Munro 2 done. 

The climb to Sgurr Breac

As we ascended a large herd of red deer were spotted in the distance, they were on its flanks, but not on our route.

The view from Sgurr Breac across to the bealach and yes a big drop first

We then began the long, very long descent down the flanks of Sgurr Breac with the ascent to the bealach for Sgurr nan Each right in our view, The upcoming ascent looking more intimidating with every step we descended. My GPS showed we descended circa 450m a lot.
Those only bagging the two Munro baggers can head back from here down a reasonable trail, I should have joined them.
After lunch we headed slowly up the pathless grassy slopes until reached the bealach, heavy plops of rain meant hoods up. I normally don’t eat before an ascent but I wanted to refuel and my breathing on this ascent paid the price of a full stomach.

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It was a relief to get to the bealach, turn right and follow the vague stony path up the winding ridge to Sgurr nan Each. This was where my problems started with agonising cramp in my left thigh/groin, wow what pain. I plodded on and the pain eased. More good views from the top but very bad weather now skirting us to the west.
Munro number 4, Sgurr nan Clach Geala, the highest summit of the day, looked more daunting from here than it really should.
Once again we had to backtrack to the bealach. As soon as the gradient kicked in so did my spasms/cramp, what was this I wondered as I have never had this before.

The gradient has eased to Sgurr nan Clach Geala

No option other to keep going, it was to be a long agonising trek back to the car.
Sgurr nan Clach Geala achieved and also the worst weather of the day kicked in. Heavy cold rain now on and off to the car. A nice ridge to descend, some steep drops but no snaps in the rain.

Meall a' Chrasgaidh ahead

The cramping was not kicking in on the descent but as soon as the slopes of number five began so did the pain. Cut a long story short the summit of Meall a’ Chrasgaidh was reached. The car could be seen but a long way away.
This long grassy descent was very awkward, not at all pleasant and went on for ages. As did the track when we finally reached it. An endurance event for me, not fun now.
Overall I now know why people break these five into two lots, it was strenuous and my leg did not help things.
The downside of these spasms was that when back home I could not cross my legs without going into severe cramping/spasm. Sadly missed out the ‘easier’ day of the other four Munros to complete the Fannichs. However, they will still be here for another day.
Sad to hear that a walker had died today after being hit by lightning on The Mamores in that bad weather.
Wildlife: Red deer, dotterel, ptarmigan, raven, meadow pipit, dipper.
Time: 9.30hrs
Ascent: 1872m
Distance: 24.6km