Liathach in Fog
Posted: Tue Jun 28, 2011 5:37 pm
As 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!
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.