DofE Expedition Assessor

Last weekend  saw me doing my supported assessment for the DofE. Alan Conway was my assessor for the weekend in the Yorkshire Dales. Alan set me off with a gold group on thier practice. They were doing this though his company ACActive. Alan set this up early this year  running DofE expeditions and  outdoor walking.

The weekend did not have the best weather for us and the poor young people had the same weather on a training weekend few weekes early.  I spent the time checking on the group a diferent points and watching them from a distance. We did have time to do some sort trail runs while checking on them. PLus bagging a couple of cafes for a bacon butty.

By the end of the weekend Alan was happy with my asseeement and filled in the forms for may pass. This now let me be a DofE Accredited Assessor upto gold level. I can now do this for the local open award centre that I have been a volunteer for the last few years. Plus I can now help Alan out at ACActive.

Overall I had a great brunch of youg people on the weekend who was great to work with. Hoping they get better weather for their final.

Am Faochagach 954m

This was going to be our final munro of the week. The weather forecast had changed again and we knew it would change later in the day. So about 30 min drive got us to the car park on the A835 next to Loch Glascarnoch. Small car park for about 8 cars. 

We set off over the stile and a good path across peat, which with the good weather was dry. We then came to the river which we had to cross. It took us a bit of searching looking for a good set of rock to cross. Some were covered in a green slime which was slippery or lets lethal. We were lucky that the river was not in spate.

From here we headed round a mound to find the burn heading up hill. All we had to do was follow this all the way to the col. On route picking and losing the path until the final half hour where the path was not faint.

We had lunch on the ridge and we noticed the wind had got little stronger.  We now followed the ridge up to the first hill where it drop again before the final slog to  Am Faochagach.  The hill is rounded top with many rocks. In the mist it could be easy to miss the summit. Again we had 360 views of the hills. We planted a few stones on the cain and made a new sculptor for others to enjoy.

Our return was following the same route down and on the way down we came across  adollavce bird. We knew the young chicks were somewhere near us as the bird was doing the broken wing act.

We left her alone and carried onto the col we came to early on and had a good soft east walk back down on the peat. Could be worst it was wet and boggy.  Then back to the river where we had to find our route back across again. Once at the car we turned and looked back at we did and the mountain was in cloud. The weather was now changing.

Another easy munro but with good views.

Fionn Bheinn 933m

50 min drive from Ullapool took us to Achnasheen on the A832.  The weather was good with blue sky and few clouds. We parked in the station car park. The royal Scotsman train was in getting ready for its trip.

We crossed the road to find the track that led up the river. From here we followed the path along a pleasant burn as it went up steadily onto a peat moorland. We were glad it was dry as this crossing of the moorland could have been fun if wet.  We did find a few boggy bits but got round them. Soon we were climbing again to reach the col between Creagan Nan Laogh and  Fionn Bheinn.  Ziggy sagging up  soon got us onto the ridge where we turned left to carry on up to the Fionn Bhienn.  The trig point came into sight and we were awarded with 360 fine views.

From the top we retraced our steps along the ridge and carried onto the end. To where we headed down nice soft grass route to come behind the forest.  We followed this back to the track we went up.

Eididh nan Clach Geala 928m and Meall nan Ceapraihean 997m

Our second day of munro bagging had us doing another two, but according to the munro book you could do four. Sometimes I think the books are writtern by fit walkers.

So our aim was to do two and maybe a third if there was time. The four hills collectively known as the Dergs and can be got to from the A835. So we parked up in a small walkers car park, which was busy. We set off up the track which steadily climbs up to a forest. At the end of the forest we found few mountain bikes locked up, so another way up is to ride in so far.  

 We came out of the forest on a good path that led up on the north side of the River Lael. Soon the weather changes to little rain and a cold wind.  Further on along the path it splits and we take the left fork that will lead to Lochan a’ Chnapaich.  Most walkers seemed to be heading straight on. 

 

The path climbs height very quickly and our munro comes into sight. At this point two of our friends return back due to being ill. We carry on up over rough heather ground to reach the west ridge of Eididh nan Clach Geala  and then the last slog to the stony summit.

 

The weather has now cleared up and we have good views back to Ullapool and Stac Polly can be seen.. We carry on to the next munro and head down a rocky col to some lochans.  Where we have lunch out of the wind. Trying to find out faint path up. Once we set off again we find a faint path to lead us across a rocky summit of Meall nan Ceapraichean. The weather has now improved even more and is roasting. Its now 3pm and we now leave the other two munros for another day as we have a long walk down we reckon it would add on another 2to 3hours to do the other two.

 Plus we will miss the meal out. So we had for the col where turn and pick a good path back down following the river back to the cars. It was at the col where we saw more walkers then we had all day and we thought that most was doing two or three munros and leaving the one we did first for another day. It was a good path all the way down passing some lovely small waterfalls. Plus a small frog that jump out onto the path.

The final bit though the forest and forest track to the cars seem to takes ages as it went very hot.

Sgurr Breac and A' Challeach

Our first munros were Sgurr Breac and A’ Challeach.  We started from a layby on the A832 near the eastern end of Loch a’ Bhraoin.  The weather was good as we followed the track towards a new path though the woods. This led us up the path following Alt Breabaig to the col. As we followed the river with its many little falls, we could see a large heard of deer to our right. Soon they knew we were there and moved on.

At the col we then headed up steeply to our first munro. As we got to the top the cloud had come down behind us and what we thought was rain was snow. With luck this did not reach us but the far hills had a light dusting. From here we had to drop down and up to Tomain Coinich before going upto our second munro A’ Chaillech..

We had to retrace our steps to head north down Sron na Goibbhre and then head east at the end. This took us though a crag area and to a faint path. But we never found the path until we reach the loch. Coming down was rough under foot and not easy finding a route as you would get so far and then had to retrace your steps due to a drop.

Ullapool

We just been to Ullapool for a week with some friends. Staying in a 4 bedroom house in the centre of Ullipool. The house is in a cul d sac and plenty of room inside. With off road parking. The plan is do as many munro we can.
Ullapool makes a good base as its not too far from  good walking areas. From munros to coast walks. The town has all what you need. Even is one shop is a Tesco. Plenty of choice to get meals but a few places do not let you book. Its on a first  come first serve.

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The Quantocks

When we were down in Cheddar we over to The Quantocks. It was about 35mins drive from Cheddar and we did about a 8 mile walk.

Would have gone longer but dark clouds been coming our way.  We had no idea what to expect but in the end we had a good day with sea, wild and wooded area. There is many tracks and paths and it is mountain biker, horse rider and trail runners area. The scenery is enchanted.

Highest ridge is 384m and you can see views over the Bristol Channel, Exmoor, Dartmoor and the Brecon Beacons. The area is similar to Exmoor or North York moors. Below you will find the map of the walk and photos from the walk.