An Socach (Lapaichs)
| An Socach | |
| Ross-shire | |
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| Summit: | 3,507 feet NH100332 57°20’58"N, 5°9’34"W |
An Socach is a mountain in Ross-shire, which reaches a height of 3,507 feet at its summit, and so it qualifies as a Munro.
This mountain stands in a group of four Munros that rise from the northern shores of Loch Mullardoch.
Ascent
An Socach is normally climbed with its neighbour, An Riabhachan to the east, or for the hardy walker with Sgurr na Lapaich too further east, though there is a fairly large descent and re-ascent to include this latter mountain, or it may be part of a long day's traverse of all four Munros of the ridge.
The most convenient ascent of all four Munros starts at the Mullardoch dam in Glen Cannich (NH219316) and proceeds 5½ miles along the loch's northern shore before climbing An Socach, continuing to An Riabhachan and returning by way of Sgurr na Lapaich and Càrn nan Gobhar. The long walk along the shore can be bypassed by hiring a boat, currently available between 1 April and 1 August.[1]
Sometimes An Socach is omitted form this traverse, but it would be a shame to do so as it is a remote mountain one would not pass by otherwise. The approach to An Socach for itself requires a long walk in. From An Riabhachan there is a route from the power station next to Loch Monar, or for An Socach alone the most convenient climb is up the south-west face.
On the mountain
An Socach is the last peak in this long ridge that runs east to west the entire length of the loch. It is a fairly grassy hill with gentle slopes in most directions giving easy but long ascent routes.
The most impressive features lie to the north and east where the slopes are craggier and from here runs the ridge to An Riabhachan. This ridge itself is a relatively easy path though further east it gets craggier and craggier to Sgùrr na Lapaich.
Another ridge extends south from the summit of to the precipitous crags over Coire Mhàim to the south-east, while further ridge leads north from the summit dropping down to Coire Cairn Gorm.
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("Wikimedia Commons" has material about An Socach (Lapaichs)) |
References
- ↑ http://www.scottishsport.co.uk/walking/mullardoch.htm Contact details for boatman.
| Munros in SMC Area SMC Section 12 - Glen Cannich to Glen Carron |
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An Riabhachan • An Socach • Bidein a' Choire Sheasgaich • Càrn nan Gobhar (Lapaichs) • Càrn nan Gobhar (Strathfarrar) • Lurg Mhòr • Maoile Lunndaidh • Moruisg • Sgùrr a' Chaorachain • Sgùrr a' Choire Ghlais • Sgurr Choinnich • Sgùrr Fhuar-thuill • Sgùrr na Lapaich • Sgùrr na Ruaidhe |