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Cul Mor - a grand outing

Cul Mor - a grand outing


Postby mountain-ju-drop » Thu Jul 28, 2011 8:47 am

Corbetts included on this walk: Cùl Mòr

Date walked: 20/07/2011

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Having driven passed the iconic peaks of Assynt numerous times and so far having only walked up Stac Pollaidh (well most of the way anyway!) we decided the time had come to wind our way up another one of those hills. We chose Cul Mor as it promised good path after a spell of heavy rain..... and it certainly delivered in every way! What a hill! The views are awesome and the hill itself has much to interest.
We walked up to Meallan Diomhain and then a couple of us followed the stream up to the col and the rest took the rocky ridge up to the south top. The views of Cul Beag, Stac Polliadh and over the sea to Sky and beyond were amazing and we could even pick out Mellon Udrigle beach. We stopped at the bealach for lunch and then sauntered up to the summit where the views of Suilven dominate and some low cloud came by to add some extra drama to the scenery. We then descended steeply north and eventually picked up our outward route again. We didn't walk out over the west top but it looked amazing with sandstone crags.
Definitely a hill worth visiting but save it for a clear day - the views of Assynt are amazing and also the views back in land towards Knockan Crag, Seana Bhraigh, Beinn Dearg, the Fannichs and An Teallach. We couldn't see Ben More Assynt area so well due to lower cloud in the NE.
Here are the pics but they don't really do it justice.
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The path and view back to Knockan Crag

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Approaching the summit of Meallan Diomhain

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The north and south tops

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Sandstone by the burn

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View from South top over the west top

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The summit

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Cul Beag

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Stac Polliadh

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The Minch

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Up the coast to Stoer lighthouse

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Below the south top

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Closer view of Cul Beag

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Looking back to the South top from the summit

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And again!

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Suilven

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The steep descent to Coire Gorm

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Sron Gharbh from Coire Gorm

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View over Knockan Crag to Seana Braigh and Beinn Dearg

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Orchid by the main path close to the road

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View of Cul Mor from the south west on the minor road south from Lochinver after purchasing our pies!

Cul Mor looks so different from the west side with Sron Garbh dominating and the south top and summit looking insignificant.
A good walk made a grand one by the spectacular scenery! :D

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Last edited by mountain-ju-drop on Thu Jul 28, 2011 6:39 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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mountain-ju-drop
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Re: Cul Mor - a grand outing

Postby HighlandSC » Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:06 pm

Good stuff, it's a great hill in one of best parts of the country. Did it myself on a belter of a day back in May.

I'm guessing the route on the map in your report isn't right? It has you dropping off near vertical cliffs from the summit N into Coire Gorm.
The usual route descending this direction would be following the ridge NE from summit veering E toward Meallan Diomhain then retracing your steps. Sorry if i'm wrong and you really did take the hard way down!
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Re: Cul Mor - a grand outing

Postby skuk007 » Thu Jul 28, 2011 1:28 pm

Fabulous scenery all round. Never been that far up and don't know when I will but I'm looking forward to it already. :)
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Re: Cul Mor - a grand outing

Postby mountain-ju-drop » Thu Jul 28, 2011 3:39 pm

HighlandSC wrote:Good stuff, it's a great hill in one of best parts of the country. Did it myself on a belter of a day back in May.

I'm guessing the route on the map in your report isn't right? It has you dropping off near vertical cliffs from the summit N into Coire Gorm.
The usual route descending this direction would be following the ridge NE from summit veering E toward Meallan Diomhain then retracing your steps. Sorry if i'm wrong and you really did take the hard way down!


:oops: My mistake! Obviously my map reading and general sense of direction need a bit of work! Thanks for putting me right - altho I have to say it did feel near vertical at the time even if it wasn't!!! :lol:

Tried to add a new route, slightly more based in reality, but now seem to have lost the map parts - probably for the best!!
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Re: Cul Mor - a grand outing

Postby soulminer » Thu Jul 28, 2011 4:33 pm

Cracking report on a splendid mountain 8) Did not get the views you did, but that's not to say I won't when I do it again :lol:
Cheers.
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Re: Cul Mor - a grand outing

Postby HighlandSC » Thu Jul 28, 2011 4:50 pm

mountain-ju-drop wrote:
HighlandSC wrote:Good stuff, it's a great hill in one of best parts of the country. Did it myself on a belter of a day back in May.

I'm guessing the route on the map in your report isn't right? It has you dropping off near vertical cliffs from the summit N into Coire Gorm.
The usual route descending this direction would be following the ridge NE from summit veering E toward Meallan Diomhain then retracing your steps. Sorry if i'm wrong and you really did take the hard way down!


:oops: My mistake! Obviously my map reading and general sense of direction need a bit of work! Thanks for putting me right - altho I have to say it did feel near vertical at the time even if it wasn't!!! :lol:

Tried to add a new route, slightly more based in reality, but now seem to have lost the map parts - probably for the best!!


:) The new, correct map has appeared at the bottom of your report. I think if you click to edit the report there will be a button to remove the old map.
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Re: Cul Mor - a grand outing

Postby colgregg » Thu Jul 28, 2011 7:36 pm

Cul more and Cul Beag look to be really impressive when viewed fro Stac Polly's summit. Nice series of pics and report.
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Re: Cul Mor - a grand outing

Postby dooterbang » Thu Jul 28, 2011 9:55 pm

A grand outing indeed - great way to spend time with family.

Glad you got views.

Just love this area.
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