How feasible is it to hike from the top of the Falls of Glomach up Gleann Gaorsiac, cross the Abhainn Gaorsiac and continue on to Alltbeithe?

Not done it myself, but from what I've read perfectly feasible
Just very, Very wet underfoot. Google it. Should come up with Alan Sloman's LEJOG account, albeit he was going south to north at the time I think.
fine if you don't mind wet feet I guess!

If you don't want wet feet don't walk across Scotland! Coming from the land of the Hobbits you probably have webbed feet anyway. Easy walking compared to some places you are likely to end up. The path alongside the falls is technically much more demanding.

Lee,

It is perfectly doable but you will encounter some stonking, extensive, normally very "damp" classic Scottish peat hags which, unless your sense of humour is fully serviceable, can be a bit draining. To go along with Peter's comments, the path up to the Falls from Glen Elchaig requires extreme care with a full Challenge pack on even in good weather conditions. In heavy rain or high winds I would not attempt it again,

regards,

Colin

Lee

I can only endorse the comments made above, having traversed a few years ago from Carnach to Alltbeithe.

We were due to go up past the Falls of Glomach but decided against it due to the bad weather.

We climbed up the shorter path along the Allt Coire Easich, not difficult although I have heard reports of a land slip which may require the longer circuit being taken.

Initially the path past Loch Lon Mhurchaidh was relatively easy to follow but it soon disappeared , but by traversing along Gleann Gaorsaic at about the 450 contour level the going was not too difficult but very wet. It was here I realised that Scotland was not a country but a giant sponge floating in the northern seas.

Once we reached Loch a Bhealaich we could not find the supposed path until we reached the Allt Gleann Gniomhaidh. From there the going was easier.

However some of the lesser streams had to be crossed with care as the banks were very deep bog. Indeed my companion stepped in the wrong place and sank up to his thighs in mud. After negotiating a small fee I eventually pulled him clear.

All in all the traverse was a long slow wet and boggy grind and very tiring. We were grateful to be staying at Alltbeithe.

However please note that according to the event details Altbeithe is fully booked during the Challenge period although I believe there are camping spots nearby.

Hope that helps

Ray

The Falls of Glomach path is quite well trodden & technically not that difficult just a bit disconcerting if you don't like heights, one of the stream crossings can be difficult in spate.
The alternative Allt Coire Easich route is steep & a bit loose in places but shouldn’t be an issue.
Gleann Gaorsaic is a bit wet; keep around 400m contour until you pick up the path at the S end of Loch a’Bhealaich
TGOC 2013 went up Glomach path after heavy rains and then headed south over Meall Dubh & A’Ghlas Beinn dropping down to Bealach an Sgairne from where there’s a good FP to Alltbeithe, a bit more climbing but a lot drier underfoot.

Please remember that what is "technically not that difficult" to one person, in high winds and pouring rain with spray being blown over you from the falls, someone else may find this climb "blo**y terrifying"! We all have differing abilities and experience, carry different pack weights and some are much younger and fitter than I so please be very careful when describing the severity or otherwise of Challenge routes to others.
I shall now probably get several responses on this forum telling me not to frighten less experienced Challengers and to keep my opinions to myself incase they conflict with The Censor's.

Fair point made in a fantastically lovely grumpy way!

I went from River Etchaig over the Falls of Glomach in my TGO13. With a heavy first day pack it was not the smartest thing I have done, and I have done a few foolish things over the years! I was very lucky that the weather did not turn really bad until after I got to the top.
But the views are great.

Old McGrumpy is right in what he says here- we all have to be extremely careful in the advice we offer on this Board and (even) we vetters are very careful with the information we convey. Although I think it immensely important that we do get across any valid and relevant information we have on a particular location/situation, in my own case I would never say or suggest that a participant should or should not do a particular thing - that is the decision for the Challenger him or herself.

However I would never forgive myself, nor would anyone in the vetting team and almost certainly everyone else in the Challenge family if we did not, honestly, highlight potential dangers for something dreadful then to happen, if I/we had the knowledge to possibly prevent that situation happening.

Risk and difficulty are pretty difficult, subjective issues.....

cj

Wot Colin (and everyone) said, plus: The Falls of Glomach are quite spectacular. I followed the route you describe in 2011 and it was tremendous. My photographs of that crossing are here, they may give you some idea of how the land lies.


JJ

Thanks John. If the weather is ok, I shall be visiting the Falls of Glomach. That gives me an idea of what to expect

The path from Glen Elchaig does need care. It is narrow, has one or two steps and hugs the side of a very deep ravine. But the reward of seeing the distant falls as you approach certainly makes it worthwhile. It's a terrific start to any challenge!



The falls themselves are spectacular, especially after a spell of wet weather.

As has been said, Gleann Gaorsaic is somewhat sloppy underfoot - but allow a bit of time to pick your way and it really isn't too bad. Forget your feet and drink in the surroundings. I rather enjoyed it last time I was that way.

Lovely pic, Phil. I'm looking forward to it already

Have a look at JJ's pictures, Judith. Gives a better idea of the path. If the weather is bad, I will go a bit further on and take the (theoretically) easier path from Carnach. If the weather is ok, though, could be a highlight of the Challenge.

Judith, the picture was intended to inspire, not to put you off!

If a stumbling old git like me can negotiate the path, a fit nimble young thing should have no problems.

Phil / Robin

JJ's photos look less scary and - you're right - this could be one of the highlights of this year's crossing. I think I shall plan a Great Weather Alternative, a So-so Weather Alternative and a FWA .... then toss a coin on the day. At least I have plenty of time during the first couple of days as I'm keeping the distances quite short, so I don't need to rush.

Lee, Last year I started from Dornie, following Sue & Ali up the Falls of Glomach approximately 20 minutes behind them. I never saw them again until the Park Hotel.

This was my first trip up the falls, it was a grind, but there were no issues apart from falling over while rock hopping across Ault na Laoidhre half way up. I lost my watch in the fall but it was subsequently found and recovered by another challenger later that day. I continued climbing South West up the path from the top of falls and turned East between Meall Odhar and Meall Dubh to descend into Gleann Gaorsaic. The idea was to get a higher overview of Gleann Gaorsaic up towards Gleann Gniomhaidh; I’m not sure whether the extra 170m climb was worth it. I had to wade across the Abhainn Gaorsaic at about knee deep, as I couldn’t find either a shallow or rocky crossing point.

The terrain on the East side of the Glen is slatherly and slow. In the 3.5k up to Glen Gniomhaidh, I followed both animal and indistinct vehicle tracks for short periods, but mainly it was making my own route cross country, trying to stay high & dry, at about 400m. My feeling is that the route along the East side of Gleann Gaorsaic to Gleann Gniomhaidh is no wetter or worse than what you have will have experienced on the challenge earlier in the day. Enjoy the climb and the slog.

Geoff

Hi Lee

This is what Gleann Gaorsaic looks like from the top of the F.O.G.
It's a wonderful plod, and as Phil says, taken slowly it's a fabulous start to a Challenge.

That does look lovely, Alan.

I'm happy with the Gleann Gaorsaic route South from the Falls but I am concerned about the approach to the falls via Glen Elchaig and Allt a Ghlomaich. I'm possibly going to approach via Bealach na Sroine instead.

Thank you all very much for your responses – it’s a bit overwhelming in fact.

I'm inclined to give my proposed route a go if the weather is favourable but will develop a Plan B, probably Ray’s suggestion which I have been considering already, for bad weather. I will ask the other members of Team Kiwi to read this forum and they may change my mind for me!

As for wet feet you maybe aware that it can get a bit "damp" in NZ as well and we are very used to that situation. Peat Hags will be a new experience for us and we will be introduced to them on day 1 around Loch Cruoshie.

Rob (our leader) and I are leaders for our local tramping club and appreciate your concern about giving advice but please rest assured that we will take full responsibility for any decisions we make. In NZ we have the same outdoor code in that everyone is responsible for their own safety.

Hopefully we may meet some of you on the trail.

Once again many thanks
Lee

Yeah, but I bettcha don't have wild haggis!

JJ

There is another route avoiding the climb up the FOG which I followed in 2013 taking me to the top of the Falls from Dornie. You can follow my trail on Social Hiking:

Aussie Mikes 2013 TGO Challenge

Just zoom in to Dornie and follow the orange path.

I plodded up the east side of the Gleann Gaorsaic the following day. It was mostly untracked and mushy but not too bad compared to other bog hops I have done on the Challenge. The views were awesome and there were several fast running but narrow streams to cross. Most I just hopped over!

If I remember correctly, when I was coming down the hill to the top of the falls, I met Willem coming up!

Cheers,

Mike.

Re alternatives to the FOG route, has anyone tried the route further west, passing Eas Ban and going over Bealach Con? There is of course no bridge over the Elchaig at this point but maybe you could follow the south bank from Camas-luinie and Coille-righ?