Sgùrr nan Clach Geala

Sgùrr nan Clach Geala
Cromartyshire
Sgùrr nan Clach Geala from Sgùrr nan Each
Range:	Fannichs
Summit:	3,586 feet NH184715 57°41’48"N, 5°2’55"W

Sgùrr nan Clach Geala is a mountain in the Fannichs, within the Forest of Fannickh belonging to Cromartyshire. It is 18 miles south-south-east of Ullapool. It is one of nine Munros in the Fannichs.

The name Sgùrr nan Clach Geala is Gaelic, and means "Peak of the White Stone", which refers to an area of white quartzite rocks near the summit.

Sgùrr nan Clach Geala stands at 3,586 feet, the highest of the Fannaichs after Sgùrr Mòr, and is regarded by many as the best peak of the group with its fine east facing corrie and pointed buttresses. The hill is not easily seen from any public road being situated in the centre of the group some five miles from the A832 road to the south. The best views are from nearby mountains with the eastern cliffs seen to best effect from Sgùrr Mòr across Coire Mòr.

Geography

Sgùrr nan Clach Geala from Carn na Crice

Looking south from the summit down the Allt a' Choire Mhoir to Loch Fannich

Sgùrr nan Clach Geala stands on a north-south ridge in the western part of the Fannichs along with two other Munros, Meall a' Chrasgaidh and Sgùrr nan Each. From a distance the mountain's north ridge can look difficult to traverse with its craggy buttresses which can give mild scrambling if the edge of the corrie is followed, though there are no real difficulties and any problems can be easily by-passed. This northern ridge drops down to a col with a height of 2,687 feet called Am Biachdaich (The Feeding Place), named because of the col's rich pastures where deer often feed. From the col the Munros of Meall a' Chrasgaidh and Sgùrr Mòr can be climbed, a small lochan lies on the col. The southern ridge of the mountain connects to the Munro of Sgùrr nan Each, which lies just over a mile away across a col with a height of 2,674 feet.

The mountain's western slopes are mostly grassy with a few rocky outcrops as they drop down to the valley of the Allt Breabaig. The mountain's best geological feature are its eastern cliffs, the highest in the Fannichs which fall 1,300 feet to the head of Coire Mòr. These schist cliffs have attracted winter ice climbers with 20 named routes available, the best known being Skyscraper Buttress and Gamma Gully. Drainage from the mountain reaches both coasts of Scotland, rainfall on the west and northern slopes go by way of the River Broom and Loch Broom to reach the west coast at Ullapool. Drainage from the south and east flank goes south to Loch Fannich to eventually reach the east coast at the Cromarty Firth.

Ascents and summit

The most usual route of ascent approaches from the north starting at a parking spot on the A832 at grid reference NH162760 and climbs the adjoining Munro of Meall a' Chrasgaidh before climbing Sgùrr nan Clach Geala. Most walkers will continue south from the summit to take in Sgùrr nan Each before returning to the starting point by way of the Allt Breabaig.

The summit of the mountain has the remains of a trig point, it has been vandalised and seems to have been attacked with a sledgehammer, leaving only a quarter of the pillar remaining. The eastern cliffs fall precipitously into Coire Mòr directly from the summit. The view takes in all but one of the Fannichs and is an excellent place to study the geography of the group. There is an excellent view of An Teallach 11 miles away to the northwest, while the valley of the Allt a' Choire Mhoir looks impressive to the south as it flows down to Loch Fannich.

References

• The Munros, Scottish Mountaineering Trust, 1986, Donald Bennett (Editor) ISBN 0 0907521 13 4
• The High Mountains of Britain and Ireland, Diadem, 1993, Irvine Butterfield, ISBN 0 906371 30 9
• 100 Best Routes on Scottish Mountains, Warner Books, 1992, Ralph Storer, ISBN 0 7515 0300 2
• Hamish's Mountain Walk, Baton Wicks, 1996, Hamish Brown, ISBN 1 898573 08 5
• The Munros Almanac, Neil Wilson Publishing, 1991, Cameron McNeish, ISBN 1 897784 01 5