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It was the one we had been waiting for for a long time! The Walkhighlands Summer Meet 2020 was postponed twice due to the Covid 19 outbreak and at last we could meet up again with some old friends at Inverie on Knoydart. The location was The Knoydart Foundation Bunkhouse and those of us who could make it gathered in the misty rough bounds in eager anticipation of another great weekend, climbing hills and catching up.
Sadly there was to be a few people who pulled out late and our hosts couldn`t make it due to the bastard covid but I would like to thank them for taking the time to make sure that this meet still went ahead despite mitigating circumstances. If you`re reading this you know who you are and I wish you all the very best for the future and hope to see you again amongst your Walkhighlands friends.
Most of us who did make it had the same route in mind for the saturday, the double Munros of Meall Bhuide and Luinne Bheinn. This allowed us to spend most of friday drinking ale in The Old Forge. Drinking lots of alcohol the day before a demanding walk is not the best way to prepare but you`ve got to support the local economy!
As it was we all had an earlyish night and were all up and ready to go at seven the next morning.
Eleven of us set out,only eight returned...
Myself,Jim,Louise,English Martin who lives in Scotland,Scottish Martin who lives in England,George,Parminder,Heather,Steve,Alison and Richard all set out but Steve & Alison who had a big day on Larder Bheinn the day before, her first Munro ,well done Alison, decided to turn back before we gained height and Richard decided to go lone wolf after experiencing one of my faffing about moments. So no harm done to the missing trio.
The weather wasn`t as bad as we thought it might be as we headed off although the clouds did hang low as we walked into the glen but it was really muggy and a wee bit of rain wouldn`t have been a bad thing.
- heading off along the path
We passed under the memorial to The Seven Men of Knoydart and reached the path that branches off to the right and this is where Steve and Alison decided to head back. We carried on around the path which was getting a bit squelchy underfoot until we arrived at Druim Bothy after an hour or so.
- Druim Bothy
Unlike many a bothy you come across in the hills this one is privately owned and available to rent, so the door was firmly locked. We had a wee peek in the windows and some took the opportunity to strip down a layer when the door mysteriously opened. Someone had tried the lock. Now I don`t want to clipe but as the old saying goes, "You can take the boy out of Cumbernauld but you can`t take the Cumbernauld out of the boy!"
So of course we felt obliged to have a wee look inside.
- Inside the bothy.
After the semi criminal event we carried on to the bridge to take us back across the river and to the bottom of the climb.
- The motley crew
The base of the hill was covered in ferns and there was a bit of a discussion as to how to tackle it and find a path through it. But at this point my phone started pinging and i noticed i had a couple of missed calls that i felt i had to return.
As i was on the phone the others started to battle the bracken and I thought I would easily follow them but the calls went on a bit longer than i planned and suddenly the gang were halfway up the hill snaking their way through the bush. Ah there must be a path i thought and took more time faffing about putting on my gaiters to keep me dry going through the initial long grass.
But i couldn`t find the route they had taken. Where did they go ? I tried to call Jim but no answer. I tried shouting but they couldn`t hear me. So i made my way up towards the bracken hoping to find an opening. There was eight of them, they must have left a trail. Nope.Nothing. I tried waving my arms, which bloody way do I go ? They all waved back. No idea what they were trying to say. Although I could tell that as they approached the ridge line they had all stopped to wait for me. So kind.
They were now signalling me to go straight through. "They`re winding me up" I thought. The ferns were head high and more to me. It was just as well I was wearing a cap, as this is how they could spot me swimming through the jungle and guide me further up the hill until I eventually found the beaten path I was now able to try and speed up a bit to catch up.
Eventually I caught up with them and I was soon back in the fold. This episode was to provide much merriment for the rest of the weekend.
- Looking back to Loch Nevis
Now safely on the Druim Righeanich ridge looking back to Loch Nevis through the approaching mist, I couldn`t help but think , "Why didn`t we just come up that way?" From here it was just a case of following the path up through the clag, stopping occasionally to let us bunch up or for something to eat.
The clag was to stay with us until we reached the summit of Meall Buide where it magically cleared up for us so we could enjoy some views and bask in the sun for five minutes or so.
- Meall Buidhe summit pic
- Clearing
- East top of Meall Buidhe
After a munch and some photos we took off again heading over the east top and descended down towards Bealach Ile Coire and the terain was about to get tough. Some narrow paths and down climbs had to be negotiated and great care had to be taken. Heather did manage to spear Scottish Martin with her poles a few times and those brought some more laughs.
Crossing this bealach with the mist moving around us gave for a very atmospheric atmosphere. I hung back a bit from thre group to take it all in and take some phone photos.
- tricky descent
- into the mist
- crossing the bealach
We now had the climb up Coire Odhar on the way to Luinne Bheinn summit.
We could see it was misty up top but down where we were it was nice and views were coming and going amongst the moving clouds.
We stopped for a break before the final push and someone even went for a wee nap.
Once near the top we had a wee scramble to top off the climb. This was negotiated fairly easily.
As we crossed the summit ridge the wind began to pick up quite strongly and we were completely engulfed in cloud. We took a quick group pick and decided to descend out of the wind.
- Luinne Bheinn summit
There was a tricky wee down climb to deal with which we helped each other with, and Heather and I took up the rear of the group. As we chatted and headed down out of the cloud, we heard shouts from below further down the path. The group had become a bit of spaced out and I was struggling to make out was going on. But I could hear, Tommy, quick, fallen,first aid kit! From who I could see it was obvious it was Jim or Louise that had fallen. I scuttled down the path as quick and carefully as I could until I could see Jim sitting with his hand on his and the blood covering it was obvious.
Louise an Martin were with him and he seemed more embarrassed than hurt. But a nasty gash on his head had opened up. Turns out the first aid kit I had was about the only decent one we had between us. Something we all discussed later. Anyway the patient was skillfully bandaged up and we popped a couple of painkillers in him for good measure.
We all stuck together as we descended the rest of the mountain. There were a few more slips and trips as we went, they don't call it the Rough Bounds for nothing!
But the wind had gone and the sun was shining and we had views of Larder Bheinn as we stopped again for something to eat and check on Jim, and the **** taking started so all seemed well.
- Larder Bheinn
The long walk back was tricky on the boggy path but we got there without any dramas although the broken bridge over the waterfall gave us something to consider and a nice we refreshing shower.
- Waterfall crossing
