Beinn Alligin (minus the pinnacles)

[al78]

This was the last hillwalk of my trip of which the weather during the second half had deteriorated but was still mostly usable. This was another of my bucket list hills and despite the overcast conditions, decided to give it a go and hopefully I would get some views from the ridge. I also wanted to have a go at the pinnacles which I didn't do due to gusty conditions on the second Munro summit and being warned by a couple of other walkers who had turned back that the route over the pinnacles was exposed.

Managed to get the last space in a layby opposite the car park and headed off up the clear path. The architecture of this mountain is stunning, lots of terracing and a very aesthetic shape overall. The clouds stayed above the summits so I got good views to Liathach and that empty glen behind it, and to Beinn Dearg which if I am here again, I would like to climb that after traversing the full ridge given it is very close, and providing there is a way up from the north-west side of it, I should be able to do it.

I was surprised by the narrow glen the path climbed up and the path makes good progress upward with excellent views back to loch Torridon and loch Damph. I reached the first munro still with clear views and the rest of the mountain looked superb from this vantage point. A bit of care required to descend slightly to get to the ridge and it was a straightforward walk to the next munro. I met a couple of people coming the other way, one who said the pinnacles route is exposed and he decided against it so was doing an out-and-back route. I got to the second munro by which time the cloud had descended, the weather looked like it was deteriorating, and the wind had picked up so I decided to leave the pinnacles for another day, so turned round. There is a nice cleft on the way up to the second Munro which I had a good look at and went off-path for a short distance to what looked like a small spur off the main ridge.

By the time I got back to the first munro the cloud had come right down and it was some time descending down that tight glen before I emerged from the cloud. I got caught in a light shower on the way down but not enough to bother putting on the waterproof trousers. When on flat ground took a tumble but fortunately landed on soft ground and vegetation so no injury. These things can happen even when you are trying to be careful and is always a risk when the rocks and stones get wet.

With missing out on the pinnacles and Liathach I guess I have an excuse to go back there at some point, but whether I will fluke the weather again who knows? It is a long way to go to experience a week of clag and rain with no views.

[Sunset tripper]

The weather's just your luck unfortunately, but still looks like you had a good trip. Have you thought of not booking accommodation? Maybe camping and you can choose your destination when you have an idea of the coming weather. Or maybe book accomodation somewhere like Inverness which is only about 1½ hours from Torridon and a lot less to the Cairngorms, where the weather is often a lot better. Torridon definitely worth another visit though.
All the best

Beinn Alligin 24th February 2024

[al78]

It is a bit difficult job-wise to just go when it looks like there might be a spell of good weather as it may mean last minute swapping of morning shifts, plus to get there from SE England it requires careful transport planning if using public transport. I am considering doing some backpacking up there as I would like to explore the very remote areas such as the Cape Wrath trail between Morvich and Craig, and the Fisherfield hills, and those areas are well suited to backpacking.