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It had been a frustrating year thus far. Scunnered with such a wet, dreich year, here in the west coast. Yes, I had managed a few trips with amigos revisiting a few hills and an outing to Skye for two new Munro's, but even that had been touch and go with fairly grotty weather.
- Apparently, this is what they do even to Superstars, in Mallaig? Best behaviour, lads!
I was really begining to doubt if I'd manage my meagre target of 11 for the year, knowing they were all tough trips aside from Ben More, Mull and presented lots of logistical problems of various sorts. The lads, however were now up for another venture to try and get the Knoydart Munro's in. After usual endless deliberations we opted for the Mallaig/Knoydart ferry option, booking two nights in the bunkhouse at Inverie. Alas, this meant a 3 a.m. start, but you know how much I love an early rise
Enjoyed the drive and got there in good time to get ready for ferry which leaves at 0730.
- Heading for Inverie. Our two Munros for the day, Luinne Bheinn and Meall Buidhe, lie ahead. At this time had no idea how tough a day it would be.
Nice quick sail, not much more than 20 minutes and we were pulling into Inverie. Alas, forecasts had done usual "downhill dive" past few days and although some were more positive, it was looking like we would be lucky to get clear tops, as we lugged our excess bagage round to the bunkhouse, which is about 15 minutes walk from the peir. It would be quicker if we weren't hauling Lawrence's private bar, in his suitcase
Food and fluids soon emptied into fridge at bunkhouse and bags deposited for later collection.
- Indulging in another hobby, ship spotting. Blue Clipper.
- Lads anticipating the evening after the walk. Pub was heaving any time we were in.
We then hit the right of way to Kinlochhourn and Strathan about 0845, following it out into the open glen, where deliberations continued as to which hills to do, or by which route. Ladhar Bheinn, had more or less been discounted in favour of getting the tougher day out the way first. Luinne Bheinn, looking cloud free, provided the greater temptation, so we kept to the road and headed for the Mam Barrisdale. The route notes, describe a very wet, boggy, stretch from Loch an Dubh-Lochain up to the bealach. The routes notes are correct
Many splishy, spashy, sploshy diversions were taken round the worst bits and just straight through the lesser rivulets, running down the track. By now mist was enveloping Meall Buidhe and it wouldn't be long till Luinne Bheinn was the same
- Passing the memorial to Lord Brocket and family. Not well liked apparently 🙂
- Luinne Bheinn, looking pretty imposing.
- Still a long way off.... and looking more imposing
- By Loch an Dubh-lochain. Jaf and Lawrence, remain cool.
Met a lovely German lady descending here, (sorry, can't mind name), carrying huge backpack, had a quick chat and met her later at bunkhouse, where the lads introduced her to the joys of whisky tasting
Dalmore was to her liking
Anyway, where were we? ..... Oh, yes, nearing Mam Barrisdale, where we stopped to draw breath and take in the views, which by now were becoming more limited.
- Cloud starts to move onto Meall Buidhe.
- Look back to Loch an Dubh-lochain and route in.
- Tough slog up to Mam Barrisdale, even for the big fla.
Had some refreshment then Big Jesper drops the bombshell, he'd dropped maps and route notes somewhere back on the trail
Ach, well, we still had the OS map and phone technology to save the day
We soon set off following trail onto Luinne Bheinn, but think it wasn't long till we were off track, following the line of an old fence to the south, for too long. Eventually, the penny dropped and with a bit of Lawrence's technology, we made a steep pull eastwards to bring us on to the ridge, then summit. It was pretty dreich, blowing up to 40 mph, none too pleasant, so after some grub, we were soon on our way to No.2, Meall Buidhe.
- Fog came in and went a bit skew-whiff on way up, but finally made summit, in something like 4 and 3/4 hours? Wind gusting to about 40mph, while rest of country basks in tropical conditions.
- Jaf and Lawrence, summit Luinne Bheinn, 939 metres. Small Munro, BIG hike!
- On traverse over to Meall Buidhe.
Despite the poor visibility and rough ground, the track was easier to follow, as we made our way, down, up, round, over and across many humps and bumps. Met a few other folk, all heading the opposite way. Alas, their attempts to give us right advice as the where to descend from ridge, were to prove unsuccesful
After what seemed like ages and even some fun bits of scrambling, we finally stumbled upon the summit. At least it was marginally brighter and less windy, but views still negligible.
- Rough terrain on way to MB, could have been tricky if visibility much worse.
- Lawrence, has honour of first to summit, Meall Buidhe.
- Lawrence and Big Jesper, Meall Buidhe, 946m. Neither hill very high, but they are tough.
- I made it, too 🙂
- Rather poor summit pose, MB.
- Hopefully, pic says it all 🙂
We were all agreed, these had been two hard summits to bag, but do not think of putting your feet up yet, oh, no! There is still plenty of hiking left in this pair, especially the tiresome ascent of An t-Uiriollaich, then rougher ground of Druim Righeanaich. Despite our best efforts, we never saw the forementioned steep ascent/descent route, so kept to the line of the ridge till low down. Clearly others have also gone before, but am sure they cursed following this muddy, ******** as much as we did.
- Yay, finally make it into the visible world 🙂 Inverie bay, ahead.
Even once clear of the glaur, we were still faced with a tricky crossing of the Allt Gleann Meadail, or rough trek upstream, a couple of hundred yards to the bridge. You will probably guess, Big Jesper went for the balancing act across the river, while, Lawrence and Jimbo, did their best to keep the feet dry. Jaf, did get the socks wet, but they were wet before, hence his dash across the river.
- Will he, won't he keep the socks dry? 🙂
- No, he wont!
- Sensible lads head for the bridge.
Once on the other side, it was still a long way back, on the road in, till we finally made it to the bunkhouse. A very tough day, no doubt about that! Anyway, time to get settled in, washed and a beer, or two, before heading for tea, which was an excellent, wood fired pizza, from the shop. How we enjoyed that, followed by a few more beers in the Old Forge, which was fair busy with folk.
- Magic pizza, to finish the day ....... and a beer ...... and a malt, or two 🙂 Great time again, chaps!
Alas, a big day lay ahead, so we retired early to the bunkhouse for a nightcap, or three, before the lights went out
Another superb day draws to an end. Hopefully, Day 2 will bring clear conditions and a clearer head
