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Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start )

Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start )


Postby Petr Dakota » Thu Aug 20, 2015 7:53 pm

Route description: Beinn Eighe (western summits)

Munros included on this walk: Ruadh-stac Mòr (Beinn Eighe), Spidean Coire nan Clach (Beinn Eighe)

Date walked: 18/08/2015

Time taken: 5.52 hours

Distance: 18.5 km

Ascent: 1164m

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Video: The views from Beinn Eighe 8) :D :wink:


But before this video was made, the day began uncertainly... :roll: :) :wink:

Thinking about Torridon in a week day...? Week day ( monday - friday ) it always means for me some short trip only or some easier and quicker hills in longer but time-able distance as I must get back home around 16:30 afternoon - latest. :( One of my Munros goals for this year is Torridon and my best wish is to do the finest - Liathach with my Brother in september if the weather condition will allow it. :? :) My Brother will come to Scotland for one week only and I would like show him the beauty of the most popular areas in the Nort / North-West. He was here many times before, on his last visit in 2014 we did successfuly The National Three Peaks Challenge ( Scotland-England-Wales ), but it's only Ben Nevis and some local hills he has done so I would like to show him some mountains from this list: Ben Hope, An Teallach, Liathach, Suilven, Bla Bheinn, Aonach Eagach and maybe also another trip to Wales to do the Snowdon again, but via Crib Goch & Llyn Llywed... For those mountains is very important the weather, especially good visibility to get the unforgettable views...so big hope for september and back to the recent trip now: :wink:
The weather forecast sounded very promisingly for the Tuesday: dry condition, sunshine, good visibility without any wind for the West and North-West…especially the area around Kintail and Torridon as the Eastern part of Cairngorms was rain expectation. This circumstances offered the possibility to go there and get the opportunity for great day out in dry conditions with high chance of beautiful views. :D Despite the fact that it’s “only” a week day – short time for me, I really started think about it seriously, especially after the experience with this rainy, misty unusual summer when every clear day is rare. Powered and motivated by the imagination of great views I focussed on the Torridon instead of some more accessible mountains by the distance and time. :crazy: :) September is nearly here so I can see the conditions there in Torridon before my Brother come and also make some photos from the area for him. 8) I would save the Liathach for the trip with him and I can do Beinn Eighe or atleast Beinn Alligin. The daylight time between sunrise and sunset is still favourable for some early walk…but the distance 340 km from home means about 4 hours driving time each way…is it really doable for me in an week day ??? :crazy: What time to start from home and what time start the walk if need more than 8 hours for the driving ( expect more busy traffic afternoon on the way back ), walking time by WH is 6-7 hours for Beinn Alligin and 7-9 hours for the Beinn Eighe, then get back home between 16:00 – 16:30…and it’s not sure if there will be good visibility despite the promising weather forecast, as it often happens…misty summits…poor visibility from top…??? :roll: :? Torridon…Torridon…Torridon…hmmm…really crazy and risky plan…but I am crazy enough ! :lol: :lol: :D If you want get something extra, you must sacrifice and risk sometime… :wink: and if you really love it, you are not even feeling it’s a sacrifice ! :lol: :D Decided, determined, I prepared all for the trip, got some useful informations about the routes and start-finish points, prepared my daughter Cheyenne for sleeping before 19:45 and set alarm for midnight…….but I woke up at 23:40 !!! :roll: :shock: :lol: Started my car exactly at 01:00 am I headed to the North via Stirling, Perth and Inverness. Driving in the night was enjoyable…my thoughts full of expectations I was really looking forward ! :D :D In the darkness I saw clear sky with shades of the mountains and forests around…I started believe that the day will be great until I got 15-20 km before my target destination…very fogy there everywhere around !!! :roll: :? :crazy: Some doubts about the views…but then in last a few km all was clear again…Ufffff 8) :lol: :D
I was ready to do Beinn Eighe or Beinn Alligin, preferable Beinn Eighe, but because of longer route there all depends on my arriving time – if longer driving then still chance to do atleast Beinn Alligin.
I got there at 5:00 am – Beinn Eighe chosen, parked my car at the car park near Liathach where the path to the Beinn Eighe start if you want do it clock-wise. I decided to do it anti clock-wise, use the walk back on the road 2.3 km in the darkness rather and then finish by the path between Beinn Eighe and Liathach easy back to the carpark.

20150818_044522.jpg
Arriving in the darkness...
:crazy: :D 8)
20150818_050753.jpg
Parked here near Liathach. The shaded shapes of Beinn Eighe in the background ( notice the real shape here is exactly the same as in the plate above )...I started my walk at 05:12 am full of expectations.
:D
20150818_051731.jpg
Walking on the road back to the East...looking back where I left my car, Liathach in the background.
20150818_053323.jpg
After 2.3 km back on the road, here is another path if you want to do it anti clock-wise. Here is small parking area too ( 2-5 cars approx. space ) if you want leave car here and then finish the walk on the road... You can recognise this point by the small forest - the one and only near this south side of Beinn Eighe ( but not sure how long the forest will be there...)
20150818_055607.jpg
I really enjoyed the walk up on this nice path
:clap: :D 8)
20150818_055910.jpg
Looking back down to the start point
20150818_063225.jpg
Sunrise behind the mountain
:D
20150818_064634.jpg
First top with some views...Liathach visible in the distance - towards West
20150818_064722.jpg
...and towards East
20150818_065024.jpg
Liathach again...and the neighbours
:wink:
20150818_065448.jpg
Looking back to the South, the way I came...
20150818_065821.jpg
On the top, but not the real summit yet. View of the west ridge, Coinnneach Mhor... ( Ruadh-stac Mor - the 2nd Munro of Beinn Eighe is not visible on the right ) and the Liathach in the background
8) 8) 8)
20150818_065835.jpg
Liathach and the ridge again...
20150818_065906.jpg
...and towards East, there is a stony, rocky way to the main summit - the highest peak here
20150818_065912.jpg
Nice view of the valley, Ruadh-stac Mor summit visible now in the distance on the left ( 2nd Munro on this route ).
20150818_065942.jpg
Near the first Munro - summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach...sunrise in the background
20150818_070021.jpg
Spidean Coire nan Clach closer now
20150818_070027.jpg
...and again with the ridge behind. Some scramble necessary to get there
:) :D
20150818_070119.jpg
Thew ridge to Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe and Creag Dhubh
20150818_070147.jpg
West again, there is my way to the Ruadh-stac Mor ( at the end on the right )
:D 8) :D
20150818_070538.jpg
East view from the summit of first Munro...from Spidean Coire nan Clach
8) :D
20150818_070556.jpg
The North view...
20150818_070621.jpg
The South view...
20150818_071935.jpg
Self-timer shot on my walk to the 2nd Munro...Liathach in the background
:D 8) :wink:
...more photos continues in the following post ( in the comments below )... :wink: :) :wink:
Last edited by Petr Dakota on Wed Nov 09, 2016 3:20 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Petr Dakota
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby Petr Dakota » Thu Aug 20, 2015 7:54 pm

20150818_072122.jpg
20150818_072934.jpg
20150818_073151.jpg
20150818_073514.jpg
20150818_073534.jpg
Looking back to the East
20150818_073543.jpg
...and the west ahead
20150818_075424.jpg
North...
20150818_075557.jpg
20150818_080553.jpg
20150818_080614.jpg
20150818_080939.jpg
20150818_082322.jpg
Ruadh-stac Mor summit - the 2nd Munro of Beinn Eighe
20150818_082614.jpg
20150818_083340.jpg
20150818_084023.jpg
Spidean Coire nan Clach
20150818_084026.jpg
20150818_084505.jpg
20150818_084558.jpg
20150818_084822.jpg
20150818_084841.jpg
20150818_091757.jpg
Looking back after descending the gully
20150818_093817.jpg
20150818_094449.jpg
20150818_100841.jpg
20150818_103726.jpg
Looking back on the path to the carpark...in the valley between Liathach on the left and Beinn Eighe on the right...in this part of my way I met first walkers between 10:00 - 11:00 am. More couples and some groups who started their walk for the clock-wise route.

It was really GREAT day and I enjoyed all the walk, climb, scrambling and the beautiful views around 8) :D :D Very happy for the clear visibility :D :D 8)
I got back to the car park at 11:04 am after 5 hours and 52 mins of walk...Some spare time to get back home early - in time :D Driving back was not so nice like in the silent peaceful night...then started rain after Inverness for almost rest of the way :crazy: :? :roll: so good timing for the early trip, but I believe there in Torridon was still the better weather yet even afternoon. Safely back home at 16:10 after 45 mins. shoping in Tesco in the remaining spare time :lol: :lol: :D
Well, hope the weather will be the same or very similar in September...so Brother, GET READY !!! :D :lol: :lol: :lol: :wink:
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby Petr Dakota » Thu Aug 20, 2015 8:58 pm

20150818_110436.jpg
the car park near Liathach - finished my walk...
:D
20150818_111106.jpg
Ready to drive home
:lol: :D :wink:
20150818_111232.jpg
Looking to the Liathach..."hope to see you soon"
20150818_071801.jpg
looking back in memories now...
20150818_082957.jpg
:) :D :wink:
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby ancancha » Thu Aug 20, 2015 9:24 pm

Nice report and phots Petr :clap:
Good effort for a great view 8)
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby PerthAlly » Thu Aug 20, 2015 9:27 pm

Well done once more Petr :clap:

You love your early starts, don't you ? :D

I walked Liathach in June and loved it. Flat calm, sunny and warm. Wouldn't fancy it when the wind is up!
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby Graeme D » Thu Aug 20, 2015 9:38 pm

Love this report! Beinn Eighe is a tremendous mountain and your shots capture it perfectly. It almost looks like it is wearing a grey coat in many of them - Beinn Eighe's signature look! As for the 1am departure, I was just so jealous reading that. I LOVE that feeling! 8)
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby spiderwebb » Thu Aug 20, 2015 9:54 pm

Fantastic photos Petr, superb area especially when you get the views like that :D
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby Beaner001 » Thu Aug 20, 2015 10:25 pm

Great pics Petr, all the best for September and hope you and your brother have a great trip :clap: :D
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby dooterbang » Thu Aug 20, 2015 10:53 pm

Wondeful photos :)

A real sense of adventure with the early start.

Looks like you got great weather too.

Cheers.
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby Alteknacker » Thu Aug 20, 2015 11:35 pm

Glad you got good weather for the best hills in the Highlands save only for the Cuillins - a truly wonderful place.

Beinn Eighe is a wonderful mountain twice over: firstly in its own right; and secondly because you get such good views of Liathach and the rest of the Torridons from it.

Your report brought back some great memories from last year (including the start in the dark, although not quite as early as you!).
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby jamesb63 » Fri Aug 21, 2015 7:36 am

Excllent report Pert and great photos as usuall :clap: :clap:
Torridon is my favourite place in the country something magical about it :D
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby martin.h » Fri Aug 21, 2015 10:36 am

Great report Petr and you captured the epic views across Torridon nicely in your photo's.

We are going to Torridon early September so our fingers are tightly crossed for some good weather, especially
for Liathach :D
Cheers.
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby Petr Dakota » Fri Aug 21, 2015 7:36 pm

ancancha wrote:Nice report and phots Petr :clap:
Good effort for a great view 8)

Thank you :)

PerthAlly wrote:Well done once more Petr :clap:

You love your early starts, don't you ? :D

I walked Liathach in June and loved it. Flat calm, sunny and warm. Wouldn't fancy it when the wind is up!

Thanks Ally :) I love the early starts...or rather to say I must love :lol:

Graeme D wrote:Love this report! Beinn Eighe is a tremendous mountain and your shots capture it perfectly. It almost looks like it is wearing a grey coat in many of them - Beinn Eighe's signature look! As for the 1am departure, I was just so jealous reading that. I LOVE that feeling! 8)

Thank you :) Glad that you love it :D Good visibility allowed all the views :wink:

spiderwebb wrote:Fantastic photos Petr, superb area especially when you get the views like that :D

Thank you :) I was really happy for the views :D

Beaner001 wrote:Great pics Petr, all the best for September and hope you and your brother have a great trip :clap: :D

Thanks Matt :) Hopefully the weather will be good enough in September, especially in this area :)

dooterbang wrote:Wondeful photos :)

A real sense of adventure with the early start.

Looks like you got great weather too.

Cheers.

Thanks :) The weather was really great - unusually in this Summer 8) Having adventure sense often by the early starts :lol:

Alteknacker wrote:Glad you got good weather for the best hills in the Highlands save only for the Cuillins - a truly wonderful place.

Beinn Eighe is a wonderful mountain twice over: firstly in its own right; and secondly because you get such good views of Liathach and the rest of the Torridons from it.

Your report brought back some great memories from last year (including the start in the dark, although not quite as early as you!).

Thanks :) It's really wonderful place and you are right about the Beinn Eighe :clap:

jamesb63 wrote:Excllent report Pert and great photos as usuall :clap: :clap:
Torridon is my favourite place in the country something magical about it :D

Thanks James :) Really magical place - one of the Best in Scotland 8)

martin.h wrote:Great report Petr and you captured the epic views across Torridon nicely in your photo's.

We are going to Torridon early September so our fingers are tightly crossed for some good weather, especially
for Liathach :D
Cheers.

Thanks Martin :) Hope you will get the good weather and also visibility for the Liathach...enjoy your trip, looking forward to see your photos from Liathach - we will be there in the second half of September ( if the weather conditions will offer good visibility ), we will decide which area just shortly before the trip, depends on the forecast...and the visibility factor will be most important as I want the views for my Brother :)
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby Petr Dakota » Sat Aug 22, 2015 7:20 pm

Another set of photos from the day:
20150818_070141.jpg
The real summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach
20150818_070602.jpg
Sgurr Ban and Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe
20150818_070724.jpg
The Ridge...Liathach and the Torridon Hills behind
20150818_071824.jpg
20150818_072129.jpg
The Valley and Loch Maree behind in the distance
20150818_072424.jpg
Liathach again...
20150818_072845.jpg
Nice Ridge walk on this rocky part, especially in dry conditions
:lol:
20150818_073521.jpg
Liathach...The Mighty Mountain
20150818_073608.jpg
The Valley again...Ruadh-stac Beag and Meall a'Ghiuthais
20150818_075102.jpg
20150818_073615.jpg
and again: Liathach
20150818_075134.jpg
:D
20150818_075512.jpg
Spidean Coire nan clach
20150818_080257.jpg
The Ridge to Ruadh-stac Mor
20150818_080545.jpg
Western view
20150818_081137.jpg
20150818_082543.jpg
20150818_082602.jpg
Towards South: Sgurr Dubh behind the ridge
20150818_082612.jpg
Meall a'Ghiubhais in the front and Slioch behind Loch Maree in the distance
20150818_083935.jpg
Ruadh-stac Mor - views from the summit towards West
20150818_084014.jpg
...and towards North-East with Slioch in the background
20150818_093802.jpg
Looking back to the Nort-West side of Beinn Eighe
20150818_094509.jpg
20150818_094732.jpg
The Path...
20150818_094954.jpg
The Waterfall and Ruadh-stac Mor in the background...Hope to see you again Beinn Eighe !!!
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Re: Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start

Postby MonikaB » Mon Aug 24, 2015 6:22 pm

Wow! That´s cool. I´m getting jealous. Let´s do it together next year! 8)
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