Meall a' Chrasgaidh
| Meall a' Chrasgaidh | |||
| Ross-shire | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Meall a' Chrasgaidh seen from Sgùrr nan Clach Geala | |||
| Range: | Fannichs | ||
| Summit: | 3,064 feet NH184733 57°42’46"N, 5°3’0"W | ||
Meall a' Chrasgaidh is a mountain in the Fannich group one of nine munros in the range. The mountains are 13 miles south-south-east of Ullapool. Meall a' Chrasgaidh is within Ross-shire, just north of the border of the Forest of Fannich, a substantial detached part of Cromartyshire.
The name 'Meall a' Chrasgaidh' is Gaelic, meaning "Hill Of The Crossing", which refers to the 2,867-foot col to the south of the summit, which is the main crossing point in the Fannich group giving access north to south between lochs a' Bhraoin and Fannich and also between the east and the west.[1]
The mountain is centrally located within the Fannichs and is one of the most accessible of the group with the A832 and A835 roads running just to the north. It lies on a north-south ridge along with the two other Munros of Sgùrr nan Clach Geala and Sgùrr nan Each and it is usually ascended along with them. Meall a' Chrasgaidh is a rounded grassy hill which reaches the modest height of 3,064 feet; ranked 242nd amongst the munros.[2]
Geography
Meall a' Chrasgaidh is made up of three distinct ridges, the north-west and north-east ridges both descend towards the valley of the River Droma and are used as ascent routes from the main roads to the north. The south ridge connects to the strategically important 2,867-foot col which is unnamed on maps, The col is boggy and has a small lochan lying within it. The col connects the mountain to the two highest peaks of the Fannichs, Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr Mòr.
The only steep slopes on the mountain are on its eastern side where rocky flanks descend to Loch a' Mhadaidh, these slopes are moderately angled and give a scrambling route from the loch. This eastern side shows the mountain at its best and the steeper gradients are well seen from the loch. The western and southern slopes are less steep, they are mostly composed of grass with some heather, nearer the summit there are some exposed mica and quartz schist rocks of which the whole mountain is composed.[3] All drainage from Meall a' Chrasgaidh goes to the west coast, going by way of the River Broom and Loch Broom to reach the sea at Ullapool.
Ascents
Meall a' Chrasgaidh is usually climbed directly from the north and usually in conjunction with some of the other hills of the Fannich range. There are two possible starting points for the northern approach. One starts at a parking spot on the A832 near Loch a' Bhraoin (grid reference NH163760) and ascends by the north-west ridge after following a track by the Allt Breabaig for a mile and a half or so.[4] The alternative route starts at the western end of Loch Droma on the A835 (grid reference NH253754) and follows the Allt a' Mhadaidh west for 4 miles to reach Loch Mhadaidh under the eastern face. From here it is possible to ascend the grassy and rocky ground above the loch to reach the col from where the summit can be reached by way of the south ridge.[5] The continuation to other mountains in the group is by descending the south ridge to the col.
The summit is crowned by a five-foot cairn. The view is restricted to the south and south-east by the Fannichs' two highest mountains - Sgurr nan Clach Geala and Sgurr Mòr - both of which look impressive. However, in other directions there are fine views. There is a first-rate aspect of An Teallach, some nine miles to the north-west across desolate moorland. Around to the north are the hills of Coigach and Assynt.
References
- ↑ "The Magic Of The Munros" Page 168 Give information of name and translation.
- ↑ www.scottishsport.co.uk. Gives a list of Munros in height order.
- ↑ The Geology Of The Scottish Mountain From A Climbing Point Of View. Gives geology of mountain.
- ↑ "The Munros" Page 206 Gives details of walk from Loch a' Bhraoin.
- ↑ "The Munros Scotland's Highest Mountains" Page 198 Gives details of walk from Loch Droma.
- The Munros, Scottish Mountaineering Trust, 1986, Donald Bennett (Editor) ISBN 0-907521-13-4
- In the Hills of Breadalbane, V.A. Firsoff, no ISBN
- The Munros, Scotland's Highest Mountains, Cameron McNeish, ISBN 1-84204-082-0
- The Magic Of The Munros, Irvine Butterfield, ISBN 0-7153-2168-4
- Hamish's Mountain Walk, Hamish Brown, ISBN 1-898573-08-5
| Munros in SMC Area SMC Section 14 - Loch Maree to Loch Broom |
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A' Chailleach • A' Mhaighdean • An Coileachan • Beinn Liath Mhòr Fannaich • Beinn Tarsuinn • Bidein a' Ghlas Thuill • Fionn Bheinn • Meall a' Chrasgaidh • Meall Gorm • Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair • Ruadh Stac Mòr • Sgùrr Bàn • Sgùrr Breac • Sgùrr Fiona • Sgùrr Mòr • Sgùrr nan Clach Geala • Sgùrr nan Each • Slioch
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