Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe - The 5 Sisters

20 March 2009 - a glorious Spring Day
Start: OS Explorer 414 GR007137; layby on A87 between the 2 areas of forest

Set off: 0900
Return: 1430
Duration: 5hrs 30mins. Distance: 8km
Total Height Climbed: 1060m

Note hill walking can be dangerous and this route involves scrambling and crest walking, these details are for info only.

We had a lovely day for this extremely strenuous walk, in fact we had to stop on the way to take these photos at Morvich:

Loch Duich was very still giving wonderful reflections of the surrounding hills.

Start at the layby and go through the narrower gate as the path from here meanders it's way pretty much all the way up - up being the operative word - to Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe! After about 30m you cross the old miltary road and the path continues slightly to the right and winds it's way up through the rough plantation to another gate in the upper fence. Just above this is this lovely waterfall, nice for a doggie drink, which you pass below and could get damp if it's a wet day! We heard an eagle's screech from here and looked across at 2 young Golden Eagles soaring above the trees. From here the path slopes at a reasonable angle westwards which we followed for a fair way until Steve decided he wanted to go up onto the ridge rather than traverse up to the first Munro, so, heads down, we broke off the path and headed upwards.....and upwards.....and upwards. For an idea, you gain 500m height in an 800m horizantal distance. Now the ground is firm and heather/grass is not too long, it's just that every step is up! Needless to say we stopped quite a lot to rest our legs - and going up this slope with my wee legs is no joke I'll woof you. On one stop we did pause to look down and wave to a Tornado GR4 flying up the glen below us! An hour and a half after setting off from the layby saw us to the ridge and it was another half hour from here up over Beinn Odhar to the first top Sgurr nan Spainteach where a well earned bite to eat and rest was had! I declined the doggie biscuits as usual in favour of some of Steve's ham and cheese sandwich.

This is the view from Spainteach to Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe. Suitably refreshed, we headed off and soon dropped height with a few sections of man-handling me down followed by a fairly steep section which meant Steve had to carry me down! Sticking to the right of a snow bank, we worked our way up the rocks and grass occassionally spotting the path until we reached the top of Ciste Duibhe which has a fairly huge cairn on top, so big that if you're one of those must touch the top people, you'll have to clamber up knocking the loose stones off as you go! Another brief stop and refuel and off we went again but my wee legs were getting tired and so were Steve's, this was our first major outing for 6 months and it was beginning to tell! We got to the next bealach, Bealach na Craoibhe, when Steve decided that just one more top would be enough for the day rather than 4 which we'd have to do if we'd carried on so we turned back for Ciste Duibhe! A sensible decision for both of us!

Having got back to where we'd been, we stopped for lunch and a rest and to take some photos:

The route back took us to the dip between Ciste Duibhe and Spainteach where we broke right and headed down back towards the the forest where we came up. The going wasn't too bad but it took ages to get back on the faint path which we did pick up which meant easier going back to the waterfall. On the way we were spotted by some locals on the horizon, a herd of around 12 deer stared at us looking confused! Having followed the path back to the waterfall, we are of the opinion that, unless you wish to get onto the ridge, the much easier option would be to keep on the path and follow it's slightly gentler angle than striking up the hillside as we had done! We bare this in mind for when we return to do the other 2 tops and perhaps the ridge should we have a 2 car option!