Quinag at the third attempt

[Verylatestarter]

For the past 2 years Ben and I have driven up from Ullapool to Kylesku and beyond in the hope that there would be cloud free hills; on both occasions we have sat in the car park next to the beautiful bridge debating whether we should spend the day on Quinag in clag. On both occasions we declined, arguing that such magnificent surroundings require a good day; last year we had a good day on Cul Bearg which was cloud free when Quinag was not.

This year Ben could not make it after an injury at work laid him low for the week so I rejigged the plans and, for the first time, came North on my own. Quinag was the only hill which I retained on the list from the original plan. The forecast was for low cloud early rising later; which is how it turned out. Given that I followed the WH route with one exception I will give a brief description with a few photos.

The route

The view from the car park, low cloud hopefully clearing.

The approach to Spidean Coinich from East.

The approach to Sail Ghorm from connecting ridge.

I drove up from Ullapool SYH and parked at the A894 car park, left at 8;55 and reached the summit of Spidean Coinich by 10;20, the ridge between AC and the next summit was the best part of the walk, an undulating ridge with plenty of variety and fabulous views. I reached Sail Ghorn by 12;24 , there were a small group of walkers who offered to take my picture instead of the usual selfie. I returned to the connecting bealach and contoured round to the third Corbett, Sail Gharbh which I reached at 13;50 .

Posing with the beautiful ridge behind

Pavement and bumps

Sail Gharbh - I walked out to the end of the level spur on the left.

Sandstone lump and narrow spur at botton left.

Sail Ghorm

Spidean Coinich, the approach is via the long slope on the left. A beautiful ridge walk.

Sail Gharbh's North spur and Kylesku Bridge.

Lochs Glendhu and Glencoul,

The spur from low level

Torridon sandstone pavement.

Looking back South to Sail Gharbh and the connecting ridge.

Sail Ghorm's steep North end.

North from Sail Gharbh the ridge extends for another 500m or so and drops down to a flat area with sandstone pavement; this is the peak you see from the Kylesku bridge car park and given the past visits I felt I had to at least take a look. The descent from SG was comfortable, on softish scree, and I quickly make it down to the broad pavement area, a five minute walk took me to the ‘prow’. As expected the views were wonderful, down towards Kylesku and the wild country around Lochs Glendhu and Glencoul, over to the Northwest Eddrachillis bay and Loch a Chairn Bhain it was like being on the prow of a ship. The slopes on this side of the hill were all precipitous and awkward, yet I was on a comfortably flat area. The walk back up to Sail Gharbh and the walk down to the bealach easy and pleasant.

Glas Bheinn and Ben More,

Eddrachillis bay and Loch a Chairn Bhain

Twisted sandstone

Lochan Bealach Cornaidh and the route back to the car park.

The 713m point with Spidean Coinich behind it.

Sail Gharbh viewed from the route out

And from the bridge car park - our usual viewpoint.

Sail Gharbh from NE.

The exit path back to the car park very good, with great views of the Loch and Spidean Coinich on the way out. I reached the car at 15;50, in good time to look at the Allt Chranaidh waterfall and a cup of coffee at the bridge.

A beautiful hill in beautiful country.

[Anne C]

John - what a fine account of a favourite mountain.Brought back memories too of taking my two boys , when quite young, up Spidean Coinich as it was nice and short - agree, it's a lovely ridge to go up.