Sgùrr nan Each
| Sgùrr nan Each | |||
| Cromartyshire | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Sgùrr nan Each from Sgùrr nan Clach Geala | |||
| Range: | Fannichs | ||
| Summit: | 3,028 feet NH184697 57°40’49"N, 5°2’51"W | ||
Sgùrr nan Each is a mountain in the Fannich group, in the Forest of Fannich belonging to Cromartyshire; one of nine munros in the range. The mountain stands 17 miles south of Ullapool.
The name Sgùrr nan Each is Gaelic, meaning "Peak of the Horses".
Sgùrr nan Each is not an easy mountain to see from any main road, being set in the interior of the Fannichs with lines of sight often blocked by the other eight Munros in the group. It overlooks Loch Fannich and reaches a height of 3,028 feet, making it the 266th highest Munro.[1]
Geography
Sgùrr nan Each stands on a spur that goes south off the main Fannichs ridge. This ridge, which is scalloped and steep on its eastern side, also contains the adjoining and higher Munro of Sgùrr nan Clach Geala, which stands a mile and a quarter to the north. The two mountains are joined by a ridge that is sharp in places and provides some minor scrambling and has a low point of 2,673 feet. Sgùrr nan Each falls away abruptly on its eastern flanks with crags in places to the valley of the Allt a' Choire Mhòir. To the west, the slopes are grassy and moderate down to the 2,300-foot level before falling abruptly to the head of Loch Fannich. To the south, the ridge continues over the subsidiary top of Sgùrr a' Chadha Dheirg (2,841 feet) before dropping down to the shores of Loch Fannich.
All drainage from the mountain goes south to Loch Fannich to find its way to the Cromarty Firth by way of Loch Fannich and thence the rivers Grudie and Conon. The mountain is made up of the metamorphic rock schist with infusions of mica and quartz.[2] The mountain lies within the Fannich Hills Site of Special Scientific Interest and Special Area of Conservation because of its profusion of bogs, marshes, and water-fringed vegetation, although the area is primarily managed as a deer forest, and herds can be regularly seen in the corries and on the lower slopes of the mountain.[3]
Ascents
Sgùrr nan Each is one the minor peaks of the Fannichs in as far as any fell over 3,000 feet can be described as "minor", and therefore it is invariably climbed in junction with other hills of the group. The most popular ascent is from the north, starting at a lay-by on the A832 road at grid reference NH162760. This route climbs the Munros of Meall a' Chrasgaidh and Sgùrr nan Clach Geala first before continuing south along the ridge to the top of Sgùrr nan Each. It is also possible to climb the highest peak of the Fannichs, Sgùrr Mòr, on this walk by an out and back trip from the col between the first two Munros.[4]
An approach from the south is possible but a mountain bike is required for the nine-mile ride to the foot of the south ridge. The ride uses the hydro road from the locked gates at Grudie on the A835 at grid reference NH310624. The road is tarmac as far as the Fannich dam then becomes a track which passes Fannich Lodge to reach the south ridge from where the mountain can be climbed. A number of years ago it was possible to obtain a key for the locked gate at Grudie and drive a car as far as the dam.
Several mountain-guide writers recommend this southern approach for a long day in the hills which takes in seven of the Fannich Munros. There was formerly a bothy known as the "Nest of Fannich" situated on Sgùrr nan Each's lower south-west slopes by the loch which a great help when climbing mountains in this area, the bothy burned down several years ago. The highlight of the view from the top of Sgùrr nan Each is the western panorama which takes in the Fisherfield Forest, Slioch and the Torridon Hills.
References
- ↑ Lists Munros in height order - Scottish Sport
- ↑ The geology of the Scottish mountains. Gives geology information.
- ↑ Fannich Hills SSSI and SAC - Scottish Natural Heritage]
- ↑ "The Munros" Page 206 (Gives basis of this route).
- 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
| 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 |