Torridon overnight/wild camp route

[tenohfive]

A couple of friends and I are planning a trip to Torridon for the first time around September. The walk reports have already proved pretty helpful but I'm hoping someone with some local knowledge can advise me on an idea that's being bandied about.

The basic idea is one night of roughing it somewhere scenic for sunrise and sunset - a couple of us are into our landscape photography. We're considering if (weather conditions permitting) we could do a circuit whereby we'd leave the car somewhere around mid-late afternoon one day and walk until around sunset, stopping somewhere scenic (thinking photo's.) Then wild camp overnight before continuing on in a circuit in the morning getting back to the car late morning-lunchtime.

We've not been to the area before so I wondered if anyone had any thoughts on how practical it sounds and any suggested routes?

[tenohfive]

Bump...anyone got any thoughts?

[KeithS]

It is quite possible to walk round the back of Liathach, there is a good path. It would also be possible to walk round the back of Beinn Eighe. I have done that, it is not well pathed but well worth doing as the views are stunning.

[jmarkb]

You could do this: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinneighe.shtml with a camp near the outflow from Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair (It might be better to do it in reverse, though).

[tenohfive]

You could do this: http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/torridon/Beinneighe.shtml with a camp near the outflow from Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair (It might be better to do it in reverse, though).

I was just reading walk reports for Benn Eighe and thought that might be an option. Would that be around the area of the photo linked below?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chimpaction/6208906404/

I thought about Liathach but wondered if it might be a bit exposed? We've planning on bivvying if possible.

[jmarkb]

Would that be around the area of the photo linked below?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/chimpaction/6208906404/

Yes, that's it. There are also good views northwestwards to Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin.

I thought about Liathach but wondered if it might be a bit exposed? We've planning on bivvying if possible.

The Mullach an Rathain end of the ridge has some flatter, grassier spots, though you would need to carry water, I expect. If you want to traverse the ridge, that depends on how comfortable you are on exposed scrambling with a relatively heavy pack.

Another option might be Beinn a' Chearcaill: flat summit and excellent 360 degree views: http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/NG9363

[tenohfive]

Beinn a' Chearcaill does look impressive, and some of the photo's across to Coire Mhic Fhearchair look impressive.

Liathach with extra water sounds like it might be overstretching our abilities.

I'm still tempted towards Beinn Eighe at the moment, but a quick question: if we were to do the reverse route (as suggested) and camp by Coire Mhic Fhearchair would we get much of a view of the sunset? Not a game changer but I'm hoping I'll be able to put my Canon 10-22mm/Tokina 11-16mm (depending on what I end up with) to good use.

[jmarkb]

if we were to do the reverse route (as suggested) and camp by Coire Mhic Fhearchair would we get much of a view of the sunset?

Not in September: the sun will set more or less due west, and will be behind Beinn Dearg.

[Gythral]

http://photoephemeris.com/ this app might help with planning photoshoots

[tenohfive]

if we were to do the reverse route (as suggested) and camp by Coire Mhic Fhearchair would we get much of a view of the sunset?

Not in September: the sun will set more or less due west, and will be behind Beinn Dearg.

http://photoephemeris.com/ this app might help with planning photoshoots

Thanks both - very handy to know some of the pro's and con's of each option.

[tenohfive]

Quick question: roughly how long would it take a lightly encumbered person to do from Ruad-stac Mor to Coire Mhic Fhearchair? I'm just wondering if I could run ahead whilst others set up camp, grab a few snaps then quick step back down before it get's too dark to find my way safely back down.

[jmarkb]

Quick question: roughly how long would it take a lightly encumbered person to do from Ruad-stac Mor to Coire Mhic Fhearchair? I'm just wondering if I could run ahead whilst others set up camp, grab a few snaps then quick step back down before it get's too dark to find my way safely back down.

Maybe 45 mins up, 30 mins down, though the terrain would not be easy in poor light! It is possible to take a more direct route up the grassiest looking line some distance left of the col connecting Ruad-stac Mor to the main ridge.

Another option might be to bivvy on Coinneach Mor: there's plenty of flat grassy ground up there.

[tenohfive]

Maybe 45 mins up, 30 mins down, though the terrain would not be easy in poor light! It is possible to take a more direct route up the grassiest looking line some distance left of the col connecting Ruad-stac Mor to the main ridge.

Another option might be to bivvy on Coinneach Mor: there's plenty of flat grassy ground up there.

Coinneach Mor looks pretty promising but would it be too exposed? Struggling to find much info on that front.

Whatever happens I'm looking at Beinn Eighe - the more I read and see the more appealing it looks.

[Kevin29035]

Maybe 45 mins up, 30 mins down, though the terrain would not be easy in poor light! It is possible to take a more direct route up the grassiest looking line some distance left of the col connecting Ruad-stac Mor to the main ridge.

Another option might be to bivvy on Coinneach Mor: there's plenty of flat grassy ground up there.

Coinneach Mor looks pretty promising but would it be too exposed? Struggling to find much info on that front.

Whatever happens I'm looking at Beinn Eighe - the more I read and see the more appealing it looks.

Coinneach Mhor is a nice place, grassy and soft, (long as you don't roll off the cliffs ) so probably the most comfortable high bivvy site on Beinn Eighe. Whether it's too exposed is completely up to the weather, so don't plan for these things just let them happen as it goes. (I bivved near the summit of A' Mhaighdean in March just passed and it was completely calm and cool! Miracles happen...)

[tenohfive]

Coinneach Mhor is a nice place, grassy and soft, (long as you don't roll off the cliffs ) so probably the most comfortable high bivvy site on Beinn Eighe. Whether it's too exposed is completely up to the weather, so don't plan for these things just let them happen as it goes. (I bivved near the summit of A' Mhaighdean in March just passed and it was completely calm and cool! Miracles happen...)

That does sound appealing - I don't think any of us can stretch to Thermarests or anything similarly priced, so a soft place to kip does sound preferable.

When I say exposed, I suppose I was being a bit vague. Is there much in the way of boulders or terrain features that will give a bit of a bit more of a wind break than a tarp will, or is it more flat?

I think you're right though, playing it by ear on the day is probably the best bet.