Gonna be going to the Torridon and Wester Ross areas for my first time ever. Nothing set in concrete yet apart from the fact that I have return sleeper tickets to Inverness, from where I need to get to either Achnashellach or Strath Carran to hike accross to Torridon where I'm going to be based at the SYHA for 3 nights - hopefully giving me 3 decent enough days to do Liathach, Beinn Eighe and Beinn Alligin. Then I'm hoping to make my way across from Kinlochewe up Loch Maree and Fionn Loch and accross to Shenavall assuming the Abhainn Srath na Sealga (anybody done that ford? How bad is it normally? And how bad can it get?). Hope to bag at least An Teallach and maybe some of the Fisherfield Six and/or Slioch en-route. Then probably take a break in Ullapool before going - probably - cross-country to the east coast.
I'd greatly appreciate anything or any stories about that neck of the woods that people have to offer. In particular I'd like to know how hard it really is. I've done parts of the West Highlands cross-country and the Cairngorms but I do hear it's all in a league of its own north of the Great Glen, especially in Wester Ross. My munro experience is extremely limited (only 7 including Ben Nevis and then only up the tourist route but I am gaining in confidence and courage) I have to admit but if that's an issue then I am willing to compromise a few munros for some more cross-country distance hiking.
Your programme is ambitious, but certainly doable, at last in good weather. Traversing Liatach and An Teallach are superb, but slightly difficult and exposed scrambles. All of Beinn Eighe is a Big Day. You'll be tired.
Fisherfield is remote, with no easy escape routes in the event of trouble. Your mobile phone won't work in there either. Crossing Abhainn Srath na Sealgais a knee-deep wade normally, but can be uncrossable after heavy rain.
Give it a go and have a great time. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to modify your plans in the light of bad weather/growing experience.
The going is often very hard in that part of the world, which can make the best laid plans go awry. However, there are loads of slightly easier options if you find you need a shorter day. The SMC area guide or Corbetts book would be good places to get ideas.
When the path from Carnmore meets the burn Abhainn Gleann na Muice you should be able to cross on a small grassy island type bit ( its above Larachantivore and between where the carnmore path meets the burn, its between the footpath and the burn ) there are large boulders in the burn and you can cross from stone to stone.When the water level is down it could be 4-6 inches deep but it is wide and gravely further down nearer Larachantivore.
If Abhainn Strath na Sealga is up you should be able to cross on the boulders where the birch trees are up the burn from Shenavall.
I was over that way last week but with this dry weather over the last few days the water levels should not be too high ( however it only takes a night of rain to put them up again )
You can catch the Inverness to Kyle of Lochalsh train and get off at Craig. (avoid Gerry's Hostel if possible). Good paths run across to Torridon. There is a bus service to Kinlochewe and Gairloch as an alternative, AR above will be able to fill you in better there.
Beinn Eighe and Ben Alligin are relatively easy compared to Liathach which invloves some easy scrambling each doable in a day hike from the YHA at Torridon.
The Fisherfield/Letterewe areas aren't as remote as you would expect, too many walkers!!! However it is a long day to tackle all 6. Wonderful area if you get the weather.
