Munros in the key of George: Glen Affric and Strathfarrar: Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais (60) [and Carn nan Ghobhar (153) and Sgurr na Ruaidhe (151)]

Walk date: 11/7/14

My Munro #'s: 257

Pronunciations - translations - heights:
Skoor a chor a ghlash - peak of the greenish-grey corrie - 1083m

Statistics:
Duration - 11:10 - 17:05

Distance - 17.5 km
Total ascent - 1337m
Weather - Hot day but breezy on top and a little cloudy for a while.
Team - with Paul P

Other hikers: 6 others (1 topless!)

Day 7 - Friday

Today was our furthest trip away from our base as we travelled north to Strathfarrar, a glen I had already been in twice, once two years ago on a day that Paul sat out due to injury, and once the year before with Paul, but in each case in awful weather and with grateful, beaten retreats.

Today was different, today was simply gorgeous! Sun, minimal wind, clear views. This was sublime hiking. However, due to my problematic toes, I only targeted the Munro I hadn't visited, Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais, but I had given Paul the choice of continuing on to Carn nan Ghobhar and Sgurr na Ruaidhe which were the ones he had missed on his sit-out day as I battled with thick snow and gales!

Due to the great weather today, I decided to stay in my Merrells and see how they faired. They faired amazing! The pain was suddenly minimal as feet my were cushioned in a flexing shell, and I sprang along on the soft ground. Such was the improvement that after summiting on Sgurr a' Choire Ghlais and looking lazily over at the rest of the circuit in superb clarity I declared to Paul that I was sticking with him on the full tour.

Onwards we strode up onto the rocky plain of Carn nan Ghobhar which had been horrible to struggle over in ice, but today the worst it could throw at us was a topless (male) hiker. From there Sgurr na Ruaidhe came pretty easy, and then even the descent couldn't dent my enthusiasm. Marvellous stuff, especially the pint and burger at the Struy Inn afterwards - I just wish I had tried the Merrells earlier!