Carn nan Gobhar, Sgurr na Lapaich, An Riabhachan & An Socach
Maps 25, 415 & 414N; 3rd August 2007

Route: 1985m=6500' ascent; 17.4 miles; 11 hrs.

Comments: Alternative routes for these hills are given on the next page and the page after. The route described below is the first of a two day round trip of the ridges to the north and south of Loch Mullardoch. The second day is reported here. However, after reaching An Socach, there is always the option of returning SE to the loch and then along the north shore of the loch back to the dam at the end of the first day, a total of about 20 miles.
The slow times given below for both days reflect the great weight of gear which was soaked through. There was no hurry on this, the first day, as it was only needed to get camped before nightfall.
Access: There is very limited parking at N end of the dam, so use the S end. To do either half of this round of Loch Mullardoch on its own, contact Angus at the Loch Mullardoch Ferryboat service for a motor boat to the far end of the loch.
Equipment: I needed overnight gear for this two day hill bash, poles and plastic bags or surfing shoes for deep river fords & gaiters for long grass.
Route: As a rule, poor wet peaty paths in valleys, good paths along ridges. Long, wet grass with vehicle tracks along N side of L. Mullardoch, gaining height to west. Note that the walkers' path along the N side of the loch leaves the vehicle track about 5 mins after the boathouse at bottom of dip before the track rises away from the loch. Reasonable tracks at west end of L. Mullardoch. Both rivers at the west end can be forded safely close to the loch, but not necessarily with dry feet. So one could head directly south from Meall Shuas to the west end of L. Mullardoch, saving 1 mile compared to the ford marked on the map.
Warning: For those returning along the north shore of L. Mullardoch, there may be issues crossing the Allt Taige when in spate.
Conditions: 16°C at start, 22°C on return; light wind & almost dry in morning. Rain & moderate winds for rest of day and night. Cloud down on An Riabhachan but otherwise all tops clear.