Hill: Bidein Glas Thuill (1062m) (Pinnacle of the grey-green hollow) & Sgurr Fiona (1060m) (White peak) aka An Teallach (The Forge)
Type: Munro x2
I have had a longing to complete this traverse but I could not see myself doing the scrambling on the pinnacles. However, having read up on it the route from Dundonnell which avoids most of the scrambling, but not all, as one of our party took a panic attack on it, so a warning not all of it was straightforward for everyone.
The parking area was full, mainly due to the mountain rescue team preparing at their base, hopefully just a training session but they are around in case they are needed.
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| Look hard this is the good path |
It is a long walk in but there is a restored path which helps greatly as it meanders upwards. Plenty of short stops to take in the views.
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| Little Loch Broom |
It was not always easy walking but initially a zig zag at a good gradient made for a slow plod but height gained all the time.
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| Wow thankfully we bypass this one |
After about an hour the impressive mass of Meall Garbh suddenly appears looking very challenging but today it is not for us we are bypassing it.
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| We are ascending to the right but valley will be our descent route |
The ground becomes more sandy and rocky as we head for Sron a Choire, typical of the geology of this area. We could see walkers down in the glen, which will be our descent route and also spotted someone on top of Meall Garbh.
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| Sgurr Fiona looks mightily impressive |
From here the objectives can be seen, First is Bidein which looks bulky and steep but a track can be seen meandering its way up. Then further on it is the much more impressive pointed Sgurr Fiona and the pinnacles which gets the awes, these are special. This is a proper mountain.
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| Bulky Bidein and pointed Fiona |
First the stony, rocky, scree path has to be tackled. Actually the gradient is once again fairly kind for about half the ascent, a bit steeper then we reached a flat top with awesome views of the pinnacles.
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| Colourful lichen |
Before that ascent photo time then we climbed the short final section to bag the first Munro of the day, Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill.
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| Rare snap from near top of Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill |
The views were every bit as spectacular and jaw dropping as I had hoped for, without doubt a WOW factor view.
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| Fiona without me and the Pinnacles behind including Lord Berkely's Seat |
Now a look at the ascent of Fiona. There is a ridge to cross first abd from here three tracks can be seen. The steepest and shortest goes up the edge of the corrie very steep drops. A fainter middle route but still more direct. But we opted for the more used track which goes about half way up, then what?
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| This is the view from Fiona to the Pinnacles |
Once on the ridge the wind picks up and one gust is strong enough to take hats off thankfully not into the corrie but all headgear stowed away. The track is good until we reach that mid point. After that it is a case of walking, sometimes scrambling up the steep rocks, it still looks a long way up.
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| Looking back to Bidein from Fiona |
Without too much bother for most the summit is reached, a very small area with some large drops so no stepping back too far to get that better photo.
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| Panorama from Sgurr Fiona |
The views are breathtaking, deep down into the corrie and the full range of An Teallach's pinnacles where we spotted some walkers climbing the Lord, dangerous place and at least 4 people have died climbing these hills in recent years.
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| View down to Toll an Lochain and wild land beyond |
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| Sail Liath |
An easy short downwards scramble for a nourishment stop and more viewing before heading homewards.
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| The reverse ascent of Bidein |
Some traversed Bidean but a couple of us went back up to Bidein (now 3 Munros lol) before going back down the ascent path. Straightforward I thought until a minor slip on the steep track, thanks to the stone marbles, hand hit the ground, sharp pain and the top of a finger was hanging loose at a very odd angle. Unbelievable, a small slip and now a torn tendon, mallet finger, with an potential long recovery, there goes tomorrows golf no gripping a club for some time with this injury.
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| Rough moor for the initial descent a contrast with the rocky ascent across the burn |
We headed down the corrie, initially on a path which soon disappeared when we crossed the burn. Then rough moorland walking until we met up with the ascent track about half an hour later. At one point we thought we heard someone calling from the direction of Meall Garbh, was there a casualty? Then we saw some mountain goats with kids so presumably it was them.
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| Mum & kids |
The last hour was a bit of a slog as the heat was ramped up and my water was very low so very pleased to reach the cars.
An epic round only marred by the injury but really pleased that I did it.
Ascent: 1368m
Distance: 15.1km
Time: 7.25
Wildlife: Mountain Goat; Raven
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