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Just south
of the Torridon giants lies the peninsula of Applecross, an area of ancient
rocks of Torridonian sandstone. The great age of these rocks is even more
impressive when we recall that being metamorphic they have been formed
from even older rocks. The
view from the head of Loch Kishorn shows a superb vista of steep rock
walls and buttresses, the features of the appropriately named Coire nan
Arr, the Giants' Corrie.
Sgurr a'Chaorachain
is the Corbett at the south end of the Beinn Bhan massif, and is easily
accessible from the Bealach na Ba road, the A896 leading to Shieldaig.
Start at the Russell Bridge (NG 814 413) and parallel the Russell Burn
up to the head of Loch Coire nan Arr. Turn west up the hillside below
the A'Chioch tower, steep at first then relenting into the corrie which
is backed by the horseshoe ridge of Sgurr a'Chaorachain.
There is
a tiny lochan here useful for a final drink before tackling the steep
hillside of grass and rocks on the left (south) flank. This slope soon
leads to the grassy col on the summit ridge. The summit is less than one
km to the west with fine views over to the Tower. Surprisingly, despite
the steep angle of the Chioch, a route of about Very Difficult standard
takes its rocks, with terrifying exposure.
Impressed,
our walking route now heads ESE down the broad ridge, with many small
cliffs and grass ledges. When it steepens, continue in a SE direction,
and providing a little care is taken, there are no great difficulties.
Eventually, a series of short easy walls broken by grass ledges leads
to the lower slopes and a walk east gains the road again close to the
starting point near the Russell Burn.
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