Rising Damph

[BlackPanther]

Ben Damph is definitely my favourite Torridon Corbett and I have climbed it numerous times including full winter conditions, but it is such a great hill that going up it for the umpteenth time still felt great!

We had this mountain in mind the weekend before but ended up on Carn Chuinneag further north and east. Nothing wrong with that but the lure of Torridon was so strong that we did indeed get tempted on the next occasion...

We have another, more brave route for this Corbett in mind but we're saving it for a long summer day. In winter time, the standard WH route had to suffice:

Track_BEINN DAMH 12.2KM.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

We started early mainly to have enough time to climb at a lazy pace; I wanted to be home for 3pm to watch the ski jumping grand prix (I know we could record it but it's not the same). Days are so short now that walking anything longer is problematic, especially if one's second half spends every other minute fiddling with his precious camera I shouldn't complain though, his pictures are 10 times better than mine!
The morning light over Beinn Alligin:

The path in the forest was wet today (probably melted snow from the previous days):

Panther in the woods

We noticed other walkers both in front and behind us; Ben Damph was going to be busy today! We didn't really expect to have it all to ourselves, it is a popular mountain and a good one to tackle in winter conditions. With the summit only a few metres short of Munro height, Ben Damph should not be underestimated though. Might not be a technical hill, but in deep snow, still a tough cookie to bite!
Still on the good path:

First pano of the day, that of the northern Torridons, Liathach and Beinn Alligin:

The Bald Head sticking out

We discussed an alternative ascent route via Creag na h-Iolaire, an interesting spur leading to the outlying top Creagan Dubh Toll nam Biast. It looks a good ridge for panthers, but we decided to leave it for a summer day as there might be some interesting optional scrambling on that ridge, which would better be investigated in dry conditions:

Toll Ban Corrie, with the alternative route up the left hand side ridge (photo taken on the way down)

We continued on the main path. Higher up it was partly frozen and more eroded than I could remember, but we kept a decent pace and arrived on the wide col below Meall Gorm after about 1.5hr of walking. The sky was clouding up a bit, the cloud creating "fake sunset" effect, visible especially over the southern horizon. But we concentrated on the winter wonderland around us - we knew we were in for a treat today!

Time to "winterize"!

Panoramic snap of Creagan Dubh Toll nam Biast and our route up:

Looking north to Meall Gorm and Liathach:

Beinn Bhan of Applecross:

Ten minutes to add some winter layer and off we went up the snow-covered slopes. There is a well worn path but we didn't exactly follow it, just hiked up the steeper section, with superb views opening up as we gained height:

The "fake sunset" effect over Loch Damh and Kishorn:

He Who Knows It All Best posing with Beinn Bhan behind:

More "fake sunset" over Sgurr a'Gharaidh:

On the way up the middle top, Spidean Toll nam Biast, we couldn't resist going a bit off piste to test the virgin snow:

On the middle top with the full extent of the views now available for Kevin to photograph!

Zoom to Maol Chean Dearg past the flanks of Stuc Toll nam Biast:

This is where we're going, babe!

I think he took it too literally!

Wait for me!

I decided to overtake him on the final stretch and soon concluded, it was a stupid idea. Would have been so much easier leaving him to break the trail

Ouch! Too much snow!

I even attempted some pathetic winter scrambling moves on the rocks just below the summit, ended up getting my gloves wet Thankfully, I carried spares (yes, I always carry a second pair of gloves, a hat and a spare pair of socks in winter. You may laugh now!). Of course, He Who Knows It All Best had a good giggle watching me dancing-balancing in deep snow.

He took the opportunity to pose with the next pile of snow, saying "look, how brave I am!"

But on the summit, it was Lucy who had the last word! She had been to this Corbett before but she is always eager to sit on top of the cairn (even if her bum is freezing ).

I'm the winter lamb!!!

Kevin on the summit of Ben Damph, his 5th time up this one if I counted correctly!

There was hardly any wind on the top so we could enjoy the views and the winter wonderland - in perspective now, it was our last "wintry" walk before Christmas. With temperatures in double digits now, no chance for the white stuff to last till the festive period.

X-mas come early for Black Panther

So to make this forum a bit more "Christmassy"... let's look at the white, white world of Torridon!

Liathach, Beinn Alligin, Beinn Dearg...

An Ruadh-stac and the more distant tops of Strathcarron:

The mountains of Achnashellach with Maol Chean Dearg in the foreground:

The Cullin hills of Skye on the western horizon, from Blaven to The Infamous In Pinn

I was reluctant to leave the top but we couldn't stay there forever! Weather started to improve as we descended, the high cloud pushed away to the sout, leaving blue sky for the final hours of our walk
We met several other groups of walkers on the summit and just below; people and dogs, all happy and grinning (or barking happily in some cases!). No surprise here - I was in the mood to meow myself!

Meowwww!

Looking down into Toll nam Biast from the ridge about 50m below the summit:

Back on the middle top, it was time for another pano...

...before we started our walk back down. The "fake sunset" effect was now even more prominent, even if it was still hours before dusk...

Descending towards Meall Gorm:

Walkers on the approach to the top of Sgurr na Bana-Mhoraire:

We technically had enough daylight to include the northern tops but since we intend to return to this hill to try an alternative ascent route, we might just as well include them into a bigger round of tops.
We took a short break on the col, to finish our tea and enjoy the afternoon Torridon views. Kevin was already planning the next visit to Ben Damph:

I'll be back!!!

Not sure we'll have time to nip up to the mountains before Christmas let alone post anything before the festive days, so I would like to wish you all Merry Christmas (against the COVID odds) and a Happy New Year - may 2022 be better than the two previous

[Graeme D]

One of the coolest titles for a TR on here! And some stunning photos to boot. That first one of the full length and splendour of Alligin in the morning light is superb. Let him fiddle I say!

[jmarkb]

Lovely! I share your enthusiasm for this fine hill (I've also done it 5 times). I don't think you will find a great deal of scrambling on the Creag na h-Iolaire ridge, but it is a worthwhile alternative in either direction. There's more adventure to be had on the NW ridge of Sgurr na Bana-Mhoraire - this looks quite tricky from the road, but there are ways through or around all the steepest crags. You can get there by following the track through the woods from the hotel to West Lodge, rather than walking along the road.

[denfinella]

Deserves a Like for the walk report title alone

Still haven't been to Torridon. One day... though it's quite nice to leave it as something to look forward to!

[Mal Grey]

Totally agree, a contender for Trip Report title of the Year.

Its such a lovely hill, with outstanding views.

BP, I've done the ridge up the other side of Toll Ban to the 868m top above Creagan Dubh Toll nam Biast. There's only very mild scrambling and I'd say its a superior approach than up to the bealach. In winter, its even better, though once took us so long to wade up in deep snow, that we only reached that top before turning back, due to lack of daylight.
As for your planned more exciting route, if I'm guessing the right alternative approach, that does look good, but maybe not a winter one for me as I'd probably get Stuc !

[malky_c]

Excellent - always a good hill, especially in these conditions