Inverlael Munros

The Inverlael Forest lies south-east of Ullapool and covers a vast area.  There are six Munro peaks in this area, some visible from the main roads, some hidden well from view. The five of the six peaks were climbed in one day with Am Faochagach, the outlier, being completed the next morning. The hills are interesting in that they all have very different characters with Seana Bhraigh and its northern corrie being the most dramatic of them all.

The Forest Way bunkhouse was left early in the morning so as to ensure a good early start on the walk. The car was left at the Inverlael walkers car park and the track taken into the forest. The Steven Fallon guide to the route was followed and a bulldozer track lead out of the forest and up onto the fell to connect with the stalker path network. The  route to Seana Bhraigh followed a good stalker's path for a fair way, giving out when the terrain became complex. Fortunately there was good visibility at this point so it was relatively easy to work the way though towards the summit of Seanna Bhraigh. Great views again from the top. After retracing my footsteps,  the ascent of second peak of the day, Eididh na Clach Geala, was a straight forward affair. There was however a big drop and steep ascent of Meall nan Ceapraichean following to compete the third peak of the day. Beinn Dearg is considerably bigger than the other peaks and the destitution wall lead almost the summit. This was the most heavily snow covered area of the route and was most easily retraced by sliding down on my backside. The final peak of the day Cona' Mheall was approached by an indistinct path which lead through the rocky outcrops at the base of the hill. The ascent was celebrated with a bite to eat and then it was time to re-trace footsteps to pick up the stalker's path back to the forest.

The ascent of Am Faochagach was a very a straightforward climb with the only potential complication being the crossing of the Abhainn a' Gharbhrain river. Although fairly full, there were enough big stones available for aid to avoid getting wet feet at this point. The summit hogsback was a very wintery affair shrouded in mist and with quite deep snow. It was unfortunate not to get view back from the summit to the hills I had climbed on the previous day.