Dara,

Sorry to disillusion you but those slashes across the Carnach don't represent bridges - they're waterfalls. Oddly enough, this topic arose on an earlier thread.

I think that it's important for folk to realise that the alternative routes along the River Carnach and beyond to Loch Quoich are very serious ones. The path along the Carnach is sodden even in normal conditions and after persistent heavy rain would be simply appalling. Abhainn Chosaidh to the north along Loch Quoich is another desperately difficult ford and the smaller burns on the south shore of the loch, whilst less demanding, would still involve long detours if you had to forge upstream. The path up Allt a' Choire Reidh is not one I've used but it must be rarely traversed and is probably fading. Only folk with sufficient experience and no little determination will consider these possibilities.

I'm not attempting to put people off from these FWAs - if you know that they're within your capabilities, then fine. But anticipate a very demanding day or two in vile weather.

Colin

Apologies Dara, I've just realised that your GR refers to a point further south and that you've probably viewed an image. I wouldn't give that much credence though if the river is in spate.

Thanks Colin for the reply. The route for the TGO TO SOURLIES could be shifted and I intend to do that to a FWA if any indication of spate. Later I expect to come val through SOURLIES as part of the CWT trail to Cape Wrath. The trail goes along the South side of the Carnach up to the crossing. One should always be willing to just retreat even if that takes an extra couple of days. It would be bad form to show up to the gate and tell St. Peter you were too foolish to just stop and go back. Perhaps if I bring a bridge with me......
Dara

This gives a good idea of the Abhainn Chosaidh coming into spate

Even at low water it's still a tad iffy Click here for a photograph taken from the same spot after the spate had subsided Looks to me like the spate was at least 1 metre.

In 2011 - that was the wettest crossing for ages - we managed to walk in persistent rain from Barrisdale over the Mam Unndalain, the bealach between An Eag and Sgurr Beag and via the Allt na Feithe to Glen Dessary. Fording the Allt Coire nan Gall and the Allt na Choire Reidh was a bit uncomfortable in the rain & cold but far from dangerous. The pathless terrain between the Allt Coire nan Gall and the Allt na Choire Reidh is mostly grassy with the odd peat hags in between. It it doesn´t rain cats & dogs this is a viable alternative route to Glen Kingie.

If my memory serves me correctly the path along the Allt na Choire Reidh shown on the OS map was existent on the ground.

In the absence of favourable conditions to enable this route to be walked I am planning to go south via Tarbet and Kinniskaig to rejoin route east of Finniskaig. There is an indication that it might be acceptable to take ferry to Tarbet from Mallaig. The only scheduled service does not get to Tarbet until 15:30. However a private arrangement might be possible. If anyone else is interested in this option please let me know

If you want to get to Tarbet the best way would be to switch your start point to Morar and walk, probably quicker than waiting for the ferry anyway and I'm sure Sue & Ali would not mind in the circumstances.