After the success of yesterday (being able to cross rivers despite heavy rainfall) Sue, Sarah and I decided to attempt Beinn Fhada. This Munro has rather a long walk in and a river crossing that Walk Highlands describes as "dangerous in spate".
A group of mutual friends and instructors had attempted Beinn Fhada yesterday and had had to turn back at this river crossing as the water level was too high to attempt a safe crossing. We knew this but decided to chance it and take a look, just in case the water level had dropped.
The day stared out in an ominous fashion. According to the guide book we could park in Dorusduain Woods, however as we drove towards them there was a large sign claiming that this was now a private road and the path now started from a different location. We ummed and ahhred but eventually decided to go to the new start point even if this did mean a much longer walk in.
After a long, but not unpleasant, walk we reached the river crossing. We were greated by a heart stopping view.
A group of mutual friends and instructors had attempted Beinn Fhada yesterday and had had to turn back at this river crossing as the water level was too high to attempt a safe crossing. We knew this but decided to chance it and take a look, just in case the water level had dropped.
The day stared out in an ominous fashion. According to the guide book we could park in Dorusduain Woods, however as we drove towards them there was a large sign claiming that this was now a private road and the path now started from a different location. We ummed and ahhred but eventually decided to go to the new start point even if this did mean a much longer walk in.
After a long, but not unpleasant, walk we reached the river crossing. We were greated by a heart stopping view.
The river washing out the ford in an impassable torrent.
The boulders were washed out. The waterfall was quite spectacular, but as our friends had found the day before, impassable. Sue and I figured that discretion was the better part of valor and that a picnic was called for before turning our back on the Munro and heading back to the car. Sarah agreed and we had a pleasant half hour having lunch.
As we were eating said lunch a couple arrived who, like us, had designs on the Munros on the other side of the river. We explained that we thought the water levels too high to risk a crossing, and then watched them wander up and down stream looking for a possible crossing. The chap clearly thought it was possible but there was some vigorous shaking of the woman's head. We left, not wanting to see the remainder of their discussion.
We headed back to the vehicles and then Sarah and I went off to Skye to fill up the van and bag some geocaches. Not a wasted day. Later we joined the group of instructors at their cottage for a very nice dinner.
As we were eating said lunch a couple arrived who, like us, had designs on the Munros on the other side of the river. We explained that we thought the water levels too high to risk a crossing, and then watched them wander up and down stream looking for a possible crossing. The chap clearly thought it was possible but there was some vigorous shaking of the woman's head. We left, not wanting to see the remainder of their discussion.
We headed back to the vehicles and then Sarah and I went off to Skye to fill up the van and bag some geocaches. Not a wasted day. Later we joined the group of instructors at their cottage for a very nice dinner.
The Big Brown Van at the sea side in Skye.