Sgurr nan Clach Geala

Infobox Mountain
Name = Sgurr nan Clach Geala
Photo = Sgurr_nan_Clach_Geala_from_Sgurr_nan_Each.jpg
Caption = Sgurr nan Clach Geala seen from the cairn on Sgurr nan Each, two km to the south.
Elevation = 1093 m (3586 ft)
Location = Ross and Cromarty, Highland SCO
Range = Fannichs, Northwest Highlands
Prominence = 228 m
Topographic
OS "Landranger" 20, OS "Explorer" 436
First ascent =
Easiest route =
Grid_ref_UK = NH184715
Listing = Munro, Marilyn
Translation = Peak of the White Stones
Language =Gaelic
Pronunciation = s̪kuːrˠ nəŋ ˈkʰlˠ̪ax ˈkʲalˠ̪ə

Sgurr nan Clach Geala is a Scottish mountain situated 28 kilometres south-southeast of Ullapool in the county of Ross and Cromarty in the Highland council area. It is one of ten Munros located in the group of hills known as the Fannichs.

Overview

With a height of 1093 metres (3586 feet) Sgurr nan Clach Geala is the second highest of the Fannaichs behind Sgurr Mòr and is regarded by many as the best peak of the group"The Munros" Page 206 “Sgurr nan Clach Geala may well be considered to be the finest of the Fannichs“.] 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 eight kilometres from the A832 road to the south. The best views are from nearby mountains with the eastern cliffs being seen to best effect from Sgurr Mòr across Coire Mòr. The hills name translates from the Gaelic as “Peak of the White Stone”,All guide books consulted gives translation as “Peak of the White Stones“.] this refers to an area of light coloured quartzite rocks near the summit.

Geography

Sgurr 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 Sgurr 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, however 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 819 metres called Am Biachdaich (The Feeding Place), named because of the cols rich pastures where deer often feed. From the col the Munros of Meall a' Chrasgaidh and Sgurr Mòr can be climbed, a small lochan lies on the col. The southern ridge of the mountain connects to the Munro of Sgurr nan Each, which lies just under two kilometres away across a col with a height of 815 metres.

The mountains western slopes are mostly grassy with a few rocky outcrops as they drop down to the valley of the Allt Breabaig. The mountains best geological feature are its eastern cliffs, the highest in the Fannichs which fall 400 metres to the head of Coire Mòr. These Schist cliffs have attracted winter ice climbers with 20 named routes available [http://www.ukclimbing.com/databases/crags/craginfo.html?id=295 ukclimbing.com.] Gives some details of winter climbing routes.] , the best known being Skyscraper Buttress and Gamma Gully"Hamish‘s Mountain Walk" Page 310 Also gives details of ice climbing.] . Drainage from the mountain reaches both coasts of Scotland, rainfall on the west and northern slopes go via 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 gbm4ibx|NH162760 and climbs the adjoining Munro of Meall a' Chrasgaidh before climbing Sgurr nan Clach Geala. Most walkers will continue south from the summit to take in Sgurr nan Each before returning to the starting point via the Allt Breabaig."The Munros" Page 206 Gives route details.]

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 18 kilometres away to the north west, 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 5Footnotes