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Liathach on Fire...

Liathach on Fire...


by andrewdoggett » Mon May 02, 2011 12:32 am

Route description: Liathach, Glen Torridon

Munros included on this walk: Mullach an Rathain (Liathach), Spidean a' Choire Lèith (Liathach)

Date walked: 01/05/2011

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 10 km

Ascent: 1610m

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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby Dannyboy » Mon May 02, 2011 9:15 pm

Some awesome pictures there, it is a great mountain just rising out of the ground, sure you got some great pictures without the fire but the pictures of the fire are cracking, keep having to think to myself its only April, what happened to the "April showers"?!
The heather will grow back quick but not so good for the trees and rest of the plants of the forest-thats forgetting the animals too, i think some people have probably been pretty foolish getting caught on the hills in the fires, doesnt say much about it on the BBC but they shouldnt really have gone knowing there was a risk-putting rescuers in danger let alone themselves
Great report, enjoy the well earned rest!
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby RicKamila » Mon May 02, 2011 9:18 pm

I'm Australian and I am used to bushfires. Trees benefit greatly from fires and you'll be suprised how quickly it will become green again. Ok, you'll still see scorch marks on trees, but in the end it will be fine.

Besides, these fires are nothing compared to what I've seen in my life :shock:
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby doogz » Mon May 02, 2011 10:12 pm

My friend was airlifted off the hill ......she found it rather a thrill as this was her third time over Liathach and getting a hitch off and some aerial photos too.... :D
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby JonetCol » Mon May 02, 2011 10:17 pm

Fantastic! Agree all the superlatives about your report. I'm gonna try it in June and found your route guidance really helpful. Cheers!
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby HighlandSC » Mon May 02, 2011 11:07 pm

I was North of Ullapool today, on Cul Mor (amongst Stac Pollaidh and Suilven).
Fire raging on the low level ground near Inverpolly, between and just W of Cul Mor and Suilven. So many different fronts to the fires. Sitting having lunch I was watching the main front of one inch forward burning everything in its way (see last pic).

Image

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[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_ilUWGAp1w[/youtube]
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby Milesy » Mon May 02, 2011 11:59 pm

Wow... I was on Cul Mor just yesterday and there was nothing. There was fire further down at Ulapool though.
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby Johnny Corbett » Tue May 03, 2011 9:25 am

Great report, stunning photos and good advice on the scrambling, route etc. Just what we look for in walk reports.
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby BlackPanther » Tue May 03, 2011 9:55 am

Absolutely fantastic report and photies - especially the "on fire" ones :D I'm planning Liathach myself this year - the last of the big Torridon trio to conquer! Your report will be my inspiration :D :D
I was on Ben More Assynt & Conival on Monday, didn't see any fires. But I heard on the news a couple of days ago that we had the driest March for 50 years and the warmest April since records began... I guess that's why these fires appear.
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby kevsbald » Tue May 03, 2011 12:06 pm

Jeezo!

All you needed was thunder and lighting and a tidal wave and it was biblical!!

Nice one.
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby michaelmcp » Tue May 03, 2011 2:21 pm

Wow, what a report. Certainly a day you won't forget in a hurry. That landscape really looks stunning, now down on my list of places to get to this summer.
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby gaffr » Tue May 03, 2011 7:44 pm

Could see the smoke billowing over the Torridon hills from where we were on the tops above Fionn Loch. We were thinking that the old pines down below Alligin might be in some trouble.....but, I guess, just out of range.
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby skuk007 » Tue May 03, 2011 7:45 pm

Excellent report Andrew. The mountain looks a beast normally so to tackle it when it's on fire was something else. Hope you were at the end of your zoom range on those fire shots, looks pretty close for my liking. :)

Hoping to do this in August this year so your description of the route over the pinnacles is appreciated.
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby Bruadair » Wed May 04, 2011 10:12 am

Hi Andrew...............Great report with stunning and dramitic photo's......you must have had some concerns over your route out through burning area......glad you made it OK....shame that some wildlife will not have been so lucky.

Concerns for authorities must be for those who think this sort of thing is great....and want to replicate the drama in other areas...............let's hope it doesn't happen.

Again well done with your effort.

Regards......................B
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby ken reid » Thu May 05, 2011 7:08 am

the disapointment of the smoke spoiling the view in the earlier shots was more than compensated for by the action shots of the fire great trip report and pics :thumbup: :thumbup: :clap:
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Re: Liathach on Fire...

Postby andrewdoggett » Fri May 06, 2011 11:05 pm

Jeez, got some attention this report - thanks - glad you all liked it - though a shame the fire will have temporarily destroyed some views :(

The pictures were on the news; Trail Magazine have contacted me also; they want to include an article in their next months issue... :)

It's an epic mountain - Liathach - some fabulous conditions over the last two weeks - and some great reports from everyone - Scotland at it's very best - I have to go away to India for a couple of months; will miss the hills so please keep these reports coming; I'll be missing the munros!!

Slanj...
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