A'Chralaig etc, N. Cluanie Ridge; Map 414; 29th April 2005 & 20th April 2008

Route from Lundie (Loch Cluanie): Ascent 2075m=6800'; 18.3 miles walking, 2.5 miles on bike; 12.4 hrs total.
Route from Glen Affric: from Strawberry Cottage: 18.9 miles, 2010m=6600' ascent. 14 hrs.
from Glen Affric Parking: 28.33 miles, 2190m=7190' ascent.

Route starting at Lundie (29/4/05)

Access: Park car at east end of walk, and cycle along A87 from there to west end of walk (or leave bike at west end and drive to east end to do the walk in reverse).
Route: Another big day to include all the Munro Tops as well! A similar route from a base in Glen Affric has marginally less ascent, (see Route 2 below) but the walk in may have a different length depending on the starting point, and there is non-negligible ascent between the Glen Affric car park and Strawberry Cottage where the second route starts.
Terrain: The ridge S from Mullach Fraoch-choire to the col is knife edge with pinnacles. It requires crampons, ice axe and courage if there is any snow at all. Lots of exposure! The route goes over almost all of the pinnacles. In winter conditions the descent from the SSE top of A'Chralaig towards A'Chioch requires going over a cornice at its thinnest point just by the cairn on top 1051, and descending over steep ice. Again, ice axe and crampons are essential. This is the most likely part to be iced up of the whole route below.
Weather: Frequent, prolonged heavy showers, occasionally hail, sometimes wet snow, from 0700. Cloud level base about 3000' touching Munro tops, occasionally lifting higher & clearing tops.

Route starting in Glen Affric (20/4/08)

Access: Drive SW from Cannich along Glen Affric to Loch Affric. Then walk or cycle to the track end at the River Affric by Strawberry Cottage (NH13352063).
Route: A similar route from Lundie on Loch Cluanie requires marginally more ascent. However, the walk in may have a different length depending on the starting point of the Glen Affric version. A start from the car park adds another 5.0 miles and 90m ascent each way, but this can be cycled.
Terrain: See the warnings above about the ridge S from Mullach Fraoch-choire to the col and the descent from A'Chralaig towards A'Chioch.
Weather: Sunny intervals, cold but light east wind, dry, slowish snow down to 2000', freezing level below 3000'.