The time I walked across Scotland, coast to coast, I remember looking over at these hills when on Sgurr Mor, thinking what a lovely couple of mountains they looked, certainly more interesting than the ridge we were then on. Now was the time to see how good they were , even though, being on my own, I planned to climb them the easy way. Dull start, though promising to brighten up, when I parked on the A832 just above Loch a'Bhraoin, the same place I parked for Sgurr Breac. Two other cars arrived just before me with one couple planning the same two hills as me but going over Meall a'Chrasgaidh first. No problem in route finding as it is a recognised path going up, alongside Allt Breabaig, over the pass and down to God knows where (actually Loch Fannaich). Good path or not I still managed to miss the crossing over the river and ended up going over some awful boggy ground before I found the path again. [Looking back at my record of the climb to Sgurr Breac I see I also then made the exact same mistake in missing the river crossing]. After that it was just a long slow but pleasant climb up to the pass. In the good weather you could see ahead where the ridges of Sgurr Breac and Sgurr nan Each come together at the top of the pass so at least you knew how far you had to go. At the top it is like a little crossroads and obvious which way you have to go. The path, however, soon peters out and you have to make your own way up. Probably easiest to move a bit to the right as you climb as it is a bit rockier on the left and a longer climb before reaching the ridge. Not a problem though, as long as you go up you will eventually reach the ridge, I climbed just a little too much to the left, adding to my climbing, and going over rocks, but it left me further up the ridge towards Sgurr nan Clach Geala. Once on the ridge it is a fairly easy walk up to the summit, reaching it just as the couple I met earlier reached it from the other side (and they had already climbed Meall a'Chrasgaidh). A brief chat, they were experienced hill walkers, now on holiday. Guinness and corned beef sandwiches. Views were good and not quite so hazy as on previous days. Fantastic views of An Teallach, Torridon, Slioch and the sea.
It was quite windy on Sgurr nan Clach Geala so quickly off the top and down the fairly easy slopes to the col, where I spotted the path I would need to take on the way back down, the one I should probably have come up on. From here the way up is gentle until close to the top when the path gets quite steep (no difficulty) as it winds through rocks. A quick juice at the summit, no need to bide, and away back down to the col. Found the path off quite easily, though it doesn't last long and again it's just make your own way down. In mist it would be best to go in a north westerly direction but in the clear weather I could see the crossroads on the main path quite clearly. I could also see the couple further down and noted they were to the right of the crossroads. As I got lower I could see why, as by moving to the right you can join the
path quite a bit further on down the pass. Once back on the path it is just a long, sore drag to Loch a'Bhraoin and then up the track to the car. Climbing these two hills was fun but they didn't have the excitement I half expected from seeing them years ago. With their cliffs they look more fearsome than they are but I'm still glad to have done them.
