Assynt. Day 3 - Stac polly
Posted: Sun Jul 03, 2011 8:43 pm
The third and final day in Ullapool started of in a very unpromising fashion with cloud cover which seemed like it wasn't going to budge. We spent the morning doing the touristy bit driving up the coast to Durness and Smoo cave then on to Tongue to see the impressive mountains of Ben Loyal and Ben Hope and back via Lairg. By this lunchtime all had cleared out and the promise of a sunny afternoon had us heading for the car park below Stac Polly.
Stac Polly must be the most recognisable mountain in the country with it's spires of rock looming high above Loch Lurgainn it's rocky summit looking so precaroius that you could imagine it collapsing at any time.
With the weather being so settled it was good to be able to set of up the steep path without having to carry rucksacks. Because of erosion the path has been renovated almost throughout it's length all the way to the col on the summit ridge. The path leads round the Eastern edge of the hill and round to the north side rising at an easy gradient until it becomes a steep staircase leading up to the lowest point on the ridge. I've never been a fan of steps but today this literally was a stairway to heaven.
In weather like we had today Stac Polly is in part a family mountain. While we were on it there were a few people picnicking on the rocks at the col. It seems the kind of place where mam and kids can safely while away the time while dad heads off along the ridge. After a quick visit to the Eastern top, trying not to disturb the mother and two toddlers picnicking it was our turn to head West part on path and part by scrambling up and over the many rock towers that soared dramatically above us. After an exhilerating half hour or so we were faced with the hardest obstacle of all. A 15 ft pillar loomed ahead requiring a certain amount of expertise to negotiate it's face before walking on to the true summit at the westerly edge. According to H.W. walks it is one of the hardest summits to get to. I have to admit that although I'm not inexperienced at scrambling I just couldn't get the first moves in with confidence so decided that I was happy to be on the summit just prior to the tower. In fact I reckon more people will stand on that summit that the main top and as it's only around a metre or so lower I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.
After my brother went on to touch the top we set off back along the ridge scrambling over a few more routes as we went before we ended up back at the low point on the summit ridge. This was what I've become to call the Gars- Bheinn moment (named after the Southernmost summit on the cuillins) Now, as then, I was standing atop a fantastic mountain in perfect weather with views that were second to none. We spent time soaking in the surroundings before reluctantly accepting that we had to leave and head down hill. We headed back down the steps but instead of returning the way we came we followed the well worn path which took us round the western side of the hill. As we descended back towards the car park I was forever looking back at the shattered cliffs looming over me. It may only be just over 2000 ft but it must rank amongst the best in Scotland.
In conclusion I had an excellent three days walking in the Assynt. While we had some mist on the first two days it always cleared out to give spectacular views. Day three ended on a high with the perfect weather. Wet weather gear only came out on day one and that was only for around 10 minutes!! And fortunately my apprehension about the dreaded midge turned out to be unfounded. I had expected swarms to be springing up from the heather and attacking me with every step I made but in reality all I saw were a few taking refuge in the tent which was the last thing they did as they were promptly dispached to midge heaven.
I hope I haven't over done it with the pics but on a day like this there were so many suberb views to capture.
Stac Polly must be the most recognisable mountain in the country with it's spires of rock looming high above Loch Lurgainn it's rocky summit looking so precaroius that you could imagine it collapsing at any time.
With the weather being so settled it was good to be able to set of up the steep path without having to carry rucksacks. Because of erosion the path has been renovated almost throughout it's length all the way to the col on the summit ridge. The path leads round the Eastern edge of the hill and round to the north side rising at an easy gradient until it becomes a steep staircase leading up to the lowest point on the ridge. I've never been a fan of steps but today this literally was a stairway to heaven.
In weather like we had today Stac Polly is in part a family mountain. While we were on it there were a few people picnicking on the rocks at the col. It seems the kind of place where mam and kids can safely while away the time while dad heads off along the ridge. After a quick visit to the Eastern top, trying not to disturb the mother and two toddlers picnicking it was our turn to head West part on path and part by scrambling up and over the many rock towers that soared dramatically above us. After an exhilerating half hour or so we were faced with the hardest obstacle of all. A 15 ft pillar loomed ahead requiring a certain amount of expertise to negotiate it's face before walking on to the true summit at the westerly edge. According to H.W. walks it is one of the hardest summits to get to. I have to admit that although I'm not inexperienced at scrambling I just couldn't get the first moves in with confidence so decided that I was happy to be on the summit just prior to the tower. In fact I reckon more people will stand on that summit that the main top and as it's only around a metre or so lower I'm not going to lose any sleep over it.
After my brother went on to touch the top we set off back along the ridge scrambling over a few more routes as we went before we ended up back at the low point on the summit ridge. This was what I've become to call the Gars- Bheinn moment (named after the Southernmost summit on the cuillins) Now, as then, I was standing atop a fantastic mountain in perfect weather with views that were second to none. We spent time soaking in the surroundings before reluctantly accepting that we had to leave and head down hill. We headed back down the steps but instead of returning the way we came we followed the well worn path which took us round the western side of the hill. As we descended back towards the car park I was forever looking back at the shattered cliffs looming over me. It may only be just over 2000 ft but it must rank amongst the best in Scotland.
In conclusion I had an excellent three days walking in the Assynt. While we had some mist on the first two days it always cleared out to give spectacular views. Day three ended on a high with the perfect weather. Wet weather gear only came out on day one and that was only for around 10 minutes!! And fortunately my apprehension about the dreaded midge turned out to be unfounded. I had expected swarms to be springing up from the heather and attacking me with every step I made but in reality all I saw were a few taking refuge in the tent which was the last thing they did as they were promptly dispached to midge heaven.
I hope I haven't over done it with the pics but on a day like this there were so many suberb views to capture.