Fantastic remote walk, with a warning

[OliverAndHarris]

I had planned this as a challenging fell run in training for the Edinburgh marathon with my dog.The track up to the Eagle observatory provides stunning views, and I had been wise to save this particular excursion to a clearer day. The ascent up to Stulabhal is scramble and hard going steep ascent at times, wet after rainy weather but with excellent views.
At the summit of Stulabhal, a compass provided essential taking a bearing to get a sense of which direction to strike off to next, as Tieleasbhal wasn't immediately obvious or recognisable amongst the surrounding peaks. Another challenging ascent (if you're running) and the steadier slopes were easy to navigate. On towards Tieleasbhal, the last scramble was a good challenge but both dog and I enjoyed it. Incredible views over to Taransay and Uist, and again grateful i waited an extra day when the clouds were higher.

On the descent downwards to make our way to to Uisgneabhal Mòr, I struggled with exceptionally challenging scrambling - seemingly more difficult than the map indicated or any guide had mentioned. I'm not sure if I just ended up in one difficult spot, but this was definitely more of a challenge than I anticipated and any future walkers take heed - be patient, perhaps find a better route by heading directly west of that peak. Unfortunately for me, halfway down that descent, I slipped off one rock and landed between two others. I was injured, mercifully not knocked unconcious, and while I had been carrying my dog as I fell, he was unharmed. Advance preparation of plenty of water, snacks, an emergency survival bag, tin foil blanket and a well stocked first aid kit, as well as a phone with 2 sim cards of different networks, allowed me to call for help when needed. Thankfully the Coastguard helped us out that day, collecting both me and my dog from the mountain side to safety and get thoroughly checked over - all is well now, with no serious harm to myself.


Advice to anyone following this route: plan for an emergency, it's extremely remote, and I didn't pass anyone up in the summits that day. I could have done with more warm clothes to wear when waiting. Take great care descending Tieleasbhal, it's a difficult scramble - or add an update here to let me know if you found a better route! Probably best not to do this one alone if possible, given the lack of passing folks. It took me & dog 3.5 hours to reach this point, given we were running, and I had anticipated at my pace the route would take around 1-1.5hrs more.

[prog99]

Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I agree it’s awkward.
In reverse the scramble is a much more obvious(did it yesterday) left wards traverse.

[Phil the Hill]

Hope you're OK and thanks for the warning. I was planning this route yesterday as a possibility for my trip to Harris in September. From prog99's comment it sounds like the reverse of the WH route is the safer option, plus it would get you onto the hills quicker.

[prog99]

Hope you're OK and thanks for the warning. I was planning this route yesterday as a possibility for my trip to Harris in September. From prog99's comment it sounds like the reverse of the WH route is the safer option, plus it would get you onto the hills quicker.

You can also bail down the northwest ridge of Tieleasbhal to about 400m before dropping west along the burn to the track. It’s better terrain than the map implies.