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Clisham - a brief visit

Clisham - a brief visit


Postby rockhopper » Thu Jun 24, 2021 10:45 am

Corbetts included on this walk: Clisham

Date walked: 17/06/2021

Distance: 28 km

Ascent: 1010m

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We had planned a couple of weeks revisit to the Outer Hebrides in May 2020 during which I’d pop up Clisham but that break had to be put on hold for some time in the future. However, as Clisham was never planned to be my final Corbett, I wasn’t really wanting to hold off much longer hence the reason for a brief visit after lockdown rules eased and I was finally out of a level 3 area.

I had taken a week off work for some DIY work and hopefully a visit to Harris so was watching the medium term forecasts. I had ordered a set of lateral flow tests as it is requested that a test is taken on each of three days before and on the morning of intended departure to the isles – both were negative and duly reported to the NHS.

I set off just after 1000 on the Thursday morning for the near 240 mile drive to Uig on NW Skye. Nightmarish stop/start drive up the A82 Loch Lomond but still arrived well in time for the 1830 ferry to Tarbert on Harris. First on the ferry, last off the ferry – got my stuff ready and set off at 2030 for the largely uphill cycle towards the base of Clisham.

It had been quite some time since I’d been on a bike and I found the steeper uphill sections quite hard going. Nice evening if a little breezy.

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Got to the layby from which Clisham can clearly be seen. Didn’t really want to leave the bike by the roadside so took it with me as I went over the lower, boggier sections until I found a suitable spot to set up the tent.

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It rained on and off throughout the night – still raining at 0400 so I didn’t bother getting up to make breakfast until after 0500 by which time the weather was improving.

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Left the tent up to dry and set off up towards Clisham

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Initially there was no track but I did find traces of paths higher up

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Local “standing stones”

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Got to the summit – the trig pint is inside a large stone shelter so had to climb into it. Then wandered further NW to another cairn but the clag blew in and some light rain started.

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Walked back to the trig shelter and waited for the rain to blow over. Was quite amazed to find that there was a 4G signal at the summit (photos are a mix of camera and phone camera). Still some clag blowing in at times.

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Selfie

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Eventually I set off to return to the tent. Saw some walkers in the distance heading up the SE ridge.

Puddock

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Needless to say the clag had all blown away and it was a nice day by the time I was back at the tent – at least it was now largely dry

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Although into the wind, the cycle back to Tarbert was easier than the outward leg

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Back at Tarbert about three hours before the 1620 ferry was due to depart – wandered round Tarbert and visited the distillery to get a bottle of gin to take home with me. Good ferry trip back with the usual cacophony of vehicle alarms caused by the ferry motion. Bike and kit packed up and departed Uig at 1830 for the long drive home – much better trip back down with the A82 largely clear perhaps because of the England.v.Scotland match which I managed to catch on the radio.

Clisham 17-18jun2021.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

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rockhopper
 
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Re: Clisham - a brief visit

Postby gammy leg walker » Thu Jun 24, 2021 1:26 pm

Brief, but still a nice set of pictures
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gammy leg walker
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Re: Clisham - a brief visit

Postby Coop » Thu Jun 24, 2021 4:04 pm

Handy, and cheers , as I'm up there next week.
I see you've left Quinaig for you're last 3 . Savour and enjoy - fantastic mountain. All the best and have a good day when you get on it.
May the views be with you
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Re: Clisham - a brief visit

Postby Sgurr » Thu Jun 24, 2021 4:46 pm

At least coming off the ferry last you didn't get queues of traffic overtaking you on the pull up Clisham, In a car we have thought it was downright dangerous to bikes and indeed to ourselves as we needed to turn right but weren't quite sure where in the dark in an awful downpour going downhill after Clisham. Not exactly the most magical of camp sites, but good enough. Best of luck with the final run.
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Re: Clisham - a brief visit

Postby Gordie12 » Thu Jun 24, 2021 7:43 pm

It's been years since I was on Harris and then I was more of a golfer than a walker so wouldn't have understood the pull of these hills.

Your photos look great, looks like after 30+ years I may have to go back!!
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Re: Clisham - a brief visit

Postby Sunset tripper » Fri Jun 25, 2021 1:10 pm

Great stuff rockhopper and good to see you back. A fair cycle up there from Tarbert. We took the car and did Clisham on a trip from Inverness to St. Kilda a few years ago. Apparantly you can see St. Kilda clearly from Clisham - we saw nothing. I hope to go back and do the horseshoe one day (on a nice day), as the quick up and down did it a disservice I believe.

All the best and enjoy Quinag. :D
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Re: Clisham - a brief visit

Postby Sgurr » Fri Jun 25, 2021 1:46 pm

I saw St. Kilda clearly from one of the Grahams near Clisham. Alas, it turned out to be the Flannan Isle.
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Re: Clisham - a brief visit

Postby Alteknacker » Fri Jun 25, 2021 11:19 pm

Still not visited Harris, but if anything would motivate me to do so, it would be these pics. Looks wonderful!
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Re: Clisham - a brief visit

Postby rockhopper » Tue Jun 29, 2021 4:05 pm

Cheers all :D

Coop wrote:I see you've left Quinag for you're last 3 . Savour and enjoy - fantastic mountain.
Sgurr wrote:Best of luck with the final run.
Sunset tripper wrote:All the best and enjoy Quinag. :D
Holding off for perfect weather - may be a long wait :roll:
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Posts: 7445
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Joined: May 31, 2009
Location: Glasgow

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