Here we go round the Mullardoch…

I'd often looked at the hills dotted around Loch Mullardoch and thought of this as a possible round, but it was reading Adrian L's trip report that spurred me into having a go. And what a circuit it is, with that feeling of crossing the invisible boundary that separates the east (well, east-central) and the wild west.

So, late July, and off we head from the Mullardoch Dam, along the northern loch shore and up the Allt Mullardoch.

There's always colour to be found when the sun spies it out…

And up to the first summit, Carn nan Gobhar, by mid afternoon.

By the time we reached Sgurr na Lapaich it was getting late in the day.

Just down on the other side we found a fine campy spot by a stream at the top of An gharbh-choire. Here is Sadie on the look out for FOOD. Now, I know what you're thinking… isn't it a bit soft to bring a sleeping bag for your mutt? Well, the silk bag is actually more of a restraining device. Basically, Sadie has a tendency to go feral only when she's in the tent - roam around, snarl and bare her teeth - and we wondered whether her own personal space might help. It did.

The following morning we woke to this…

…one of those days that could go either way. Up and away by 7.30, and straight up onto An Riabhachan.

A disappointment, this part of the trip… it was the second time I've been on this ridge, and the second time in clag. Worse, I led us astray at the far end of the ridge and wasted half an hour. Grrr. C and the dog are looking equivocal about the whole thing by the time we reach the top of An Socach.

We were out of the clag and down to the head of Loch Mullardoch by mid-day. The cushiest thing we do on these trips is put the tent up at lunchtime. I know, I know, but for ten minutes of faff we get an hour or so of insect-free heaven…

…and from it the energy to get up high again. Next of the list was Mullach na Dheiragain, with the weather clearing to give us a view along the ridge towards Sgurr nan Ceathreamhnan.

The day was still making its mind up. In fact, it never quite did.

Just below the final rise to Ceathreamhnan we decided to call it a day. A lovely soft view over to A Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire.

The search for water was on, which actually led us all the way down into Coire nan Dearcag. A bit hemmed in, but the following morning we only had to climb the headwall to be up on our first summit of the day.

Along the ridge to An(other) Socach…

…with the weather still prevaricating. Actually, at this point, on the bealach before we headed up M