Maol Chean-Dearg - from Coulags, Strathcarron

Climbed by year and month

Climbed by year and month

Maol Chean-Dearg means the bald red head hill on account of the lower slopes being quartzite but the top is of red Torridonian sandstone.

The forecast for the day was dry, bright, warm around 20c at glen level and a light breeze. I was hoping the combination of sun and dry, with low humidity, would mean the wee beasties would stay at home. Most of the following week was forecast to be wet so I was keen to get out. I figured it'd be kind of hot, but not just how brutal the heat would make it all feel.

Me and Skye left the house early, 6:00am, and had breakfast at Coulags to ensure we got a campervan sized parking space. Opening the door to check behind me I'd let a few midges into the van so it was definitely going to be a Smidge day. And given the sunshine probably a layer of sunblock over the top once I had warmed up and the sun was high in the sky.

Once we were away from the parking area the midges we're actually okay. The sun, however, was hot right from the go so I soon put my windproof away.

Coire Fionnaraich bothy was occupied by a Polish couple, they were doing the Cape Wrath Trail. We gear-geeked over Altra shoes, they were both recent converts too.

Most of the walk-in was fine, midges not much problem and I felt reasonably good. It all went down hill, as it were, when the climbing started. The heat was getting to me, I had to slow down and frequently stop to catch my breath. It made it all feel utterly brutal. But, I kept going.