The Fersit four...day two

I dont know if it was the heat, the excitement of three days bagging or too many jaffa cakes...possibly a combination of everything...but insomnia struck back big style last night. I tried shutting my eyes, unsuccessfully, for hours, even after taking a nytol I had no luck dropping off to sleep. Im not sure how many hours/minutes I managed to sleep but by the time breakfast was served up it didnt feel like enough. Isabel did me proud with another plate full of Scottish goodness, meaning no need for anything later as I wouldn't feel hungry until I got home. That's twice I have stayed at the Mahaar recently and nothing has left me feeling like there won't be a third time. Isabel and Alan are fantastic hosts who can't do enough for their guests, and at only £30 per night for B&B they give terrific value for money. With a full stomach and only a minor dent in my wallet, compared to many other places I could have stayed, I set off on the road to Fersit for the next two summits on my mind.

I parked up further along the road than yesterday, taking in the full bounty of a three house town...but was disappointed to find that they have removed the telephone box (as described in all the route guides I had checked before setting off)...but thankful that all the sheep pens were intact. When you park up there are two possible paths to take...ignore the one on your right and take the one on your left, passing some buildings, crossing a bridge, then a railway track, then follow the track between cottages and pass through the gates (remember to close them again) onto open track leading to a small bridge across the stream.

Head uphill at this point and keep the fenced enclosure to your left as you head up boggy (what a shock) slopes (pathless) and head for the prominant nose of Sron na Garbh-beinne...this is when the route gets really tough (or it could be the result of hardly any sleep and this being my third day) as it rises sharply through grass slopes to reach the rocky top, before rising steeply across rocky ground to discover a path on the top leading all the way to the summit (I had been pre-warned about this yesterday).

The summit cairn of Stob Coire Sgriodain lies at 976m, the cairn is on the very edge of a steep drop off towards Loch Treig so take care in less clear conditions. Jelly McBaby took his usual place on the summit and posed for the pic (he just loves all the attention he is getting).

 Clear views today across to yesterday's two summits and the Grey Corries beyond...hazy views over to Glencoe and a multitude of hills in the far distance. 

Loch Laggan was glimmering in the sunlight and I was impressed by the topography of the surrounding mountains around the glacial trough of Lochan na h-Earba. The route is quite clear at this stage, following a less than obvious path through some pretty rough terrain, undulating rocky prominances, until you reach a wide open bealach of short grass.

Chno Dearg is ahead to the left, with another height to your right (Meall Garbh 976m) falling short of munro status due to the lack of drop and ascent between it and the other two. A stiff short climb up the grassy slopes to reach a slight rocky top then off to your right is the large cairn of Chno Dearg at 1047m. The bonus feature of this Munro is the view across to Creag Meagaidh (in good conditions).

The usual pics were taken at the summit before adourning a second layer to keep the sudden appearance of a chill wind and light rain off. The return route is down steep grass slopes to reach an undulating wide marshy area of peat bogs and expansive puddles...splish splash all the way across here using the far off An Dubh Lochan as your bearing in clear weather, failing that set off on a NNW bearing and take care crossing the bogs...there are plenty of pitfalls for the unwary but no major obstacles or drops to be avoided in bad weather.

Eventually you will drop back down to an access path to Fersit and back to the car. A fantastic day of stunning views, cracking weather and cheery banter (yes I talk to McBaby from time to time...so what!!). My head got a slight tan AGAIN, but more importantly my legs stood up to the rigours of three days (7 Munro's) worth of walking...I always feel an anti-climax when my trips are done, the drive home can be non descript at times...but thankfully I had an idiot in a blue van that CLEARLY didn't realise the white lines in the middle of the road were to keep him on his side and away from oncoming traffic to keep me alert for the rest of the journey.....until next time, happy tramping...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1968273093428.2101165.1440975916&type=3&l=3e7d330596