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It had been a very wet week in the far north of Scotland, a brief window in the weather would allow us to tackle the most northerly munro, Ben Hope. We opted to do this starting at Allt na Caillich rather than the more popular route further north. The drive along the very small road from Altnaharra thankfully passed without incident. After fleeing the worst midge attack I have ever faced (thankfully I was slightly protected by my midge net), We initially struggled to work out how to get onto the start of the walk before opting to turn right off the road by the bridge and muddle a way to the track that ascends rather steeply uphill. There is a fantastic view of the Allt na Caillich waterfall from the track which you see for most of the way up. Close to reaching the ridge the track deteriorates and seemingly disappears after you ford the Allt na Caillich. For some reason I was particularly knackered this day and it was quite disheartening to see I was only at 213 meters! Ben Hope didn't look too far away though and the ridge ahead looked good, the midges had gone and my spirits lifted.
- Distant summit of Ben Hope from the start
- Impressive Allt na Caillich waterfall
- The summit looked closer here than it was!
My relief was short-lived, we lost any trace of a path and veered off too far east, the breeze died down and the midges returned. Eventually after a bog trot we found a decent enough path, the breeze returned, the midges disappeared and all was well. The ridge path eventually ended and met the main route coming up from Muiseal. After having the hill to ourselves it suddenly felt very busy. Looking on the map, I cant understand why but the slog up from this point to the summit, although bug free was one of the most tiring I have done. Finally I got to the top, marked by a trig pillar and after getting my breath back could sit and look at the incredible views enjoying a well earned lunch.
- Looking down from the Leitir Mhuiseil
- The ridge walk ahead
- Finally on a path
- The slog up!
- Made it
Similar to my previous walk on Ben Klibrek the views were sensational. More atmospheric as rain clouds seemed now all around us seemingly passing to the west and east of the munro. The view to the North was filled with the Kyle of Tongue and to the West what I think was the massive impressive mountain of Foinaven. To the south it seemed the rain clouds were gathering and preparing to join up. We decided it was probably time to head back.
- Kyle of Tongue
- Looking North West
- A passing rain shower
As we were preparing to leave our only rain shower of the walk arrived and was thankfully brief. The view of the way back down seemed quite steep but the first section was far easier than the ascent. This time we knew where the path was and most of the ridge walk above the Leitir Mhuiseil was a pleasure with fantastic views over Strath More and my first ever definite sighting of a Sea Eagle! Just as I was getting confident, the path disappeared and my calculation of where to head was slightly out meaning a short bog rot through a midge ridden field. For future reference, I think the best thing would have been to follow the fence posts which almost connected the end of the path up with the burn crossing. We did find the track again and descended with views of the fantastic waterfall. Arriving back at the car we checked out the fascinating Dun Dornaigil Broch before journeying along the small road to Altnaharra, thankfully again without incident.
- On the descent
- The way back
- The Leitir Mhuiseil
- Looking back to the summit
- Strath More
- Looking down on the waterfall
- Dun Dornaigil Broch
- Ben Hope was in cloud as we left
