Liathach in Fog
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:37 pmAs a Xmas Box, my wife Colleen had booked me three days in Torridon, which included a guided walk. I chose Liathach for the 'guiding' as I was unsure of navigating the pinnacles in poor visibility. As it turned out the tops were covered in mist from the outset and I was hugely reassured to be accompanied by the excellent Richard from Torridon Activities.
The day started badly, as I was stiff and tired from the 300 mile plus journey from home the previous day - when the sky was also much clearer!
During the early steep ascent I struggled badly with my 62 year old legs and abs still sore from the drive. At one point both Richard and I worried if I would make it. Luckily I got a 'second wind' as we approached the steep scramble to the ridge to the west of Bidean Toll a Mhuic. My relief turned to awe as a break in the cloud allowed a spectacular view to the depths of Coire Dubh Mor and across to Beinn Eighe - what an amazing place!
Sadly the cloud quickly dropped again, obscuring all but a few feet of visibility.
We continued along the ridge and over a couple of smaller tops to reach the thumb-like summit of Spidean a' Choire Leith (1055m). En route the mist had given the ridge an eerie Tolkien-like air.
As we looked back we found we had company.
Reaching the summit allowed a break for water and the obligatory 'evidence' shot.
The scramble over the Fasarinen Pinnacles was exciting - to put it mildly. Though the dangers are obvious I felt calm throughout - reassured no doubt by the presence of my skilled guide. There was no view to speak of - other than down!
We stayed with the Pinnacles all the way, apart from one point where the alternative path was so close it made little difference. At this point I chose to crawl under, rather than manouevre round, a bit of an outcrop and before we knew it Mullach beckoned. It was a bit of a climb - but when you know you are so close you hardly notice - and then we were there!
We then began the steep descent down wet slippery sandstone and loose rock. Great efforts have been made to create a decent path but the elements resist strongly. A little lower the sky was clearer providing views up and down Glen Torridon.
I look back on it as a fantastic experience and one I'd be happy to repeat alone - in better visibility. Meantime many thanks to my ace guide Richard.
The day started badly, as I was stiff and tired from the 300 mile plus journey from home the previous day - when the sky was also much clearer!
- Liathach seen clearly day before
During the early steep ascent I struggled badly with my 62 year old legs and abs still sore from the drive. At one point both Richard and I worried if I would make it. Luckily I got a 'second wind' as we approached the steep scramble to the ridge to the west of Bidean Toll a Mhuic. My relief turned to awe as a break in the cloud allowed a spectacular view to the depths of Coire Dubh Mor and across to Beinn Eighe - what an amazing place!
- across to Beinn Eighe
Sadly the cloud quickly dropped again, obscuring all but a few feet of visibility.
We continued along the ridge and over a couple of smaller tops to reach the thumb-like summit of Spidean a' Choire Leith (1055m). En route the mist had given the ridge an eerie Tolkien-like air.
- View W to scotland's last active volcano
As we looked back we found we had company.
- Two tax officials in pursuit
Reaching the summit allowed a break for water and the obligatory 'evidence' shot.
- me atop Spidean
The scramble over the Fasarinen Pinnacles was exciting - to put it mildly. Though the dangers are obvious I felt calm throughout - reassured no doubt by the presence of my skilled guide. There was no view to speak of - other than down!
- view down from the Pinnacles
We stayed with the Pinnacles all the way, apart from one point where the alternative path was so close it made little difference. At this point I chose to crawl under, rather than manouevre round, a bit of an outcrop and before we knew it Mullach beckoned. It was a bit of a climb - but when you know you are so close you hardly notice - and then we were there!
- Atop Mullach an Rathain
We then began the steep descent down wet slippery sandstone and loose rock. Great efforts have been made to create a decent path but the elements resist strongly. A little lower the sky was clearer providing views up and down Glen Torridon.
- View E along Glen Torridon
- W along the Glen
I look back on it as a fantastic experience and one I'd be happy to repeat alone - in better visibility. Meantime many thanks to my ace guide Richard.
despite having such a lot of low cloud.
Good stuff!