Gairich - with the boggy walk-in

Climbed by year and month

Climbed by year and month

Having on a previous attempt started late due to the stuck gate, and trying to march across the bog to make up some time, which blew my energy, I started nice and early. Thin mist hung around the dam, a wee bit of sunshine and blue sky suggested a lovely day. And the infamous gate was open! Despite a restless night in the van I was feeling ready for the day ahead, whatever that may look like.

The walk-in for Gairich has a reputation for being boggy, the 2.6km from the end of the Loch Cuaich dam is across moorland which holds the moisture and this summer has been pretty wet. Hardly a day has gone by since spring when the forecast for the west has not been rain. So I knew I'm in for wet feet.

It was way more soggy than I even suspected it might be. Occasionally I could string a couple of strides together only to approach another bog-hole across the path. Probing with walking poles saved a few detours around as the gravel is still under the slop in places. I just took my sweet time, no hurry, and managed to stay on my feet.

Although grateful to reach the forestry corner and the start of Gairich's east ridge we still had a short section of steep and wet path to get onto the stalkers path above. Perhaps I should have gone round the corner to the track. Oh well, we went up the burn as I'd already got wet feet.

Joining the stalkers path it was rough, fairly dry and zigzags up the steeper sections making for easy progress. The view opened out although haze had replaced the mist. It was also starting to warm up and the midgies had woken up; time for Smidge.

I love this sort of path, unimproved, zigzags rather than stone steps; I picked up a steady easy pace. Skye was enjoying herself more too. She rushes off ahead for a bit, spots a critter in the undergrowth on the edges of the path she has to investigate, then runs back to me or looks at the view. I couldn't see anyone crossing the moor behind us. I think we're alone now.

Along the ridge there's a relatively flat grassy section with a few peat hags, this is Bac nam Foid which I think means something like "bank of turf'. We spot a guy catching us up and have a wee chat, as you do. He strides off and is soon just a speck in the distance as he zigzags up the frighteningly steep looking climb ahead. I have to admit it is intimidating, but it's allegedly straightforward with only one 'scrambly bit'.

Having had a break and some chocolate we carry on. We're soon looking back down to the top of the ridge. The rivers of Glen Kingie to the south glint brightly in the sunshine.

It is outrageously steep but the zigzags are excellent with not a stone-pitched step in sight. Not that there aren't steps at all as a few rocky bands need a step up but they are easily negotiated without much breaking of step. That is until the scrambly bit. It's a rock wall about 12 to 15 feet high with another very steep section above. Whilst I'm looking at it working out a route that I might direct Skye to she leaps at it. Faltering a little she adjusts her line and goes for it, clears it and turns to look down at me as if she expected me to be following. It's not quite vertical and there's plenty of hand and foot holds so I too make easy work of it.

We meet the guy who overtook us earlier and he encourages us on with a cheery 'nearly at the top!'. Indeed it wasn't far to the top. There's a chill wind whistling across but before I can grab a jacket Skye sits at my feet demanding lunch from her rucksack. She knows the drill. Whilst I have my lunch I sit on a rock looking over Loch Cuaich to Sgùrr a' Mhaoraich, Gleouraich, and Spidean Mialach.

We wander about the top and I take some photos despite the views being very hazy.