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Sub 2000 Marilyns: Creag Loisgte, Beinn Reidh.
Date: 04/10/2014.
Distance: 12 + 8km
Ascent: 320 + 610m
Time taken: 1 hour, 50 minutes + 2 hours, 45 minutes.
Weather: Occasional showers with sunny spells
With no-one around to look after the cat, I had to miss out on the Friday night of the meet. Saturday didn't dawn particlarly promisingly, so I decided to make a leisurely drive up to Inchnadamph, doing a couple of small hills along the way. First stop was Creag Loisgte, which I knew I could get quite close to by driving up the forestry track towards Duag Bridge.
I grazed the bottom of the car on the track in places - a bit of a surprise as it is a pretty decent track. The key was to drive a little off-centre (although I don't remember having the same problem with a fully-laden car on the approach to Seana Braigh 8 years ago). The sun was out when I pulled into a small layby, and I followed some rougher vehicle tracks following the Allt an Caisean over towards Croick. I then took a line up towards Lochan Sheumais, passing between deer fences without having to climb any. The ominously named Cnoc nam Bad Bog was to my right, and there were some mild peat hags to contend with on the approach to the summit of Creag Loisgte. Great views north to Ben More Assynt and Breabag to compensate.
Ben More Assynt:
Beinn Mhor Coigach across Lochan Sheumais:
There were also plenty of other hills in view, with Seana Bhraigh and An Teallach appearing once at the summit. I had endured a brief shower on the ascent, but it was sunny now and I could enjoy watching the showers pass over other hills instead.
Suilven and Canisp:
Suilven:
An Teallach:
Creag an Duine and Seana Bhraigh:
Breabag and Ben More Assynt:
Strath Chuileannach:
Coigach from the summit:
To return I decided to head more directly to the vehicle track over to Croick. There was some 'new' forestry that didn't appear on my map (published 1976
), but there were wide fire breaks through it and a gate in the deer fence.
Firebreak down to track:
The going on the fire break was no rougher than the open hillside, and there were a lot of deer hiding amongst the trees.
Hide and seek:
Less hidden:
Then back onto the track for an easy stroll back to the car, with some pleasant autumn colours. Like many of the lower hills in this area, this one was of little interest topographically, but well worth a visit for the feeling of remoteness and great views of the more impressive surroundings.
Carn nan Conbhairean in the sun:
Cnoc nan Caorach:
On the drive over to Inchnadamph, I pulled in near Ledmore to get a photo of Suilven - this is probably one of the most impressive angles you can see it from.
One of my favourite roadside views – Suilven from Loch Borralan:
My next hill of the day was right opposite the hotel and hostel at Inchnadamph. It wss after 4 pm when I started, but I didn't think it would take too long. Actually I was nearly turned back by the River Loanan, as it was very sluggish at this point and many feet deep. I still had dry feet and was feeling a little lazy, so didn't fancy practicing my usual wading tactics. Eventually, I found a faster flowing section upsrtream that was only ankle-deep, and easy enough to splash through.
Quinaig and Loch Assynt:
Beinn Uidhe:
Inchnadamph:
Beinn Uidhe and Conival:
Conival:
Awkward river to cross – River Loanan:
Once over the river (and some awkward deep tussocks on the floodplain), the going was more straightforward. I had intended to head north a little to include Beinn Garbh and get some views down Loch Assynt, but somehow I ended up on another bump further south. Once I had descended steeply off this, I wandered across easier ground directly to Beinn Reidh. It was a little breezy on the summit, but compensated by stunning views of Suilven and Stac Pollaidh. Might be worth a morning visit to get a better look at these, but even in silhouette they were imposing.
Back to Inchnadamph and Conival:
Ben Stack and Foinaven:
Beinn Garbh and Quinaig:
Quinaig:
Suilven:
…with Stac Pollaidh as well:
Although it was getting late, a return around the lochans and under Beinn Garbh looked too appealing to miss out on, so I headed this way. The last of the sun hit Beinn Garbh at just the right moment, picking it out in deep red.
Summit lochans:
Some crepuscular rays out to the west:
Beinn Garbh catches the sun:
I was just going to pass under Beinn Garbh due to the time, but it was an appealing rocky pyramid, so at the last minute I scrambled up it.
West from Beinn Garbh:
Canisp and Suilven from Beinn Garbh:
Ben Stack and Glas Bheinn:
More great views, but it still wasn't positioned well for views down Loch Assynt. I think you'd need to head north again for this. Now the daylight was fading, so I dropped back down to Inchnadamph along a similar route to the one I had come up. There were some faint path scrapings in places which I hadn't soptted on the way up.
Inchnadamph:
I crossed the river at a different but similar location slightly further upstream, fully soaking my boots this time. Then dinner, beer and whisky in the hostel (where I ended up staying, despite having vague plans to camp). Great place for a meet, and also much better weather than the forecast apocalypse
Moon above Inchnadamph:
Back home the next day, the cat had missed me and decided to help write this report, meaning it took twice as long as usual...
Rare show of cat affection:
