Gneiss day for More Munros in Assynt
Posted: Mon Aug 08, 2011 9:59 pmThe final day of our northern Munro adventure dawned. We had camped the night at Scourie in our wonderful camper from
http://www.bigtreecampervans.com/
Highly recommended!
We had taken two days to bag Ben Klibreck and Ben Hope in mixed but generally good weather.
Where to head to now was the question. We had looked at various options and checked out the weather - Beinn Dearg and Cona'Mheall? Quinag? We drove south still unsure where to stop. The weather was glorious, not even a puff of wind. The reflections on the lochs around Kylesku were amazing.
We drove and excitement grew - we could attempt Conival and just see what the ridge was like and then decide whether to try it or not. We were down to one child out of three but he's only 10 and we weren't sure what he would make of it - at least that's what we said!!!
So within 45 minutes of leaving the camp site we were on our way up the track by the Inchnadamph hostel.
We made good progress as, although it was warm, the path is clear and not steep at this point. We were overtaken by a chap going much faster than us tho!
We passed the route to the caves which we had visited a couple of years ago - we must have filled them with fear as all he could remember was those are the caves you will never get out of if you fall in!
The excellent path continues up the glen with much to enjoy along the way.
Soon the hills further south appear.
At this point the path gets a little steeper and there are a few boggy patches.
At this point we managed to deviate off the best route. We crossed the stream too early and, although the way was obvious and easily passable, the main route sticks well to the left of the water and only crossed much further up. Route finding much easier on the way down!
Once we reached the rock band we took a route which appeared as a zig zag much further right of the path. It was shingle but easily dealt with.
Once we emerged into the upper coire we could see a very obvious path which we joined. As you come out of this section the views really open up across the empty miles of beautiful, empty countryside.
There is still quite a way to go to the summit from here, the first part being quite steep which took us by surprise - probably the only down moment of the day. Then it levels out and the rest of the walk to the summit is easy and the views were amazing.
There were quite a few pesky midges about so we decided to press and have a look at the ridge. We'd met a chap coming back who said it was rocky but in no sense exposed so we felt our confidence rise.
We didn't feel the ridge presented us with any difficulty - and we are easily frightened! It needed quite a bit of concentration on where to step because of the rocks but that's all.
We took some pics and then decided to head back across - too many midges to hang about for long. On the way back we met a guy we had met the previous day who had walked down Ben Hope with us so we had a quick chat.
After a quick lunch we made our way back down - following the now obvious path much nearer to the burn and a few metres of easy scramble down the rocks.
Looking back you can just about pick out the path.
An added bonus was the view from the road to Lochinver of both summits.
And of course pies from the Lochinver larder!
We enjoyed the day so much. The weather was perfect and we had achieved more than we had hoped. The route has so much interest and for us it was a just a little more challenging than our previous walks.
That's the four northern Munros bagged and a fab few days to look back on.
http://www.bigtreecampervans.com/
Highly recommended!
We had taken two days to bag Ben Klibreck and Ben Hope in mixed but generally good weather.
Where to head to now was the question. We had looked at various options and checked out the weather - Beinn Dearg and Cona'Mheall? Quinag? We drove south still unsure where to stop. The weather was glorious, not even a puff of wind. The reflections on the lochs around Kylesku were amazing.
- 1. Such a still morning
We drove and excitement grew - we could attempt Conival and just see what the ridge was like and then decide whether to try it or not. We were down to one child out of three but he's only 10 and we weren't sure what he would make of it - at least that's what we said!!!
So within 45 minutes of leaving the camp site we were on our way up the track by the Inchnadamph hostel.
- 2. Starting out
We made good progress as, although it was warm, the path is clear and not steep at this point. We were overtaken by a chap going much faster than us tho!
- 3. The bridge to the Traligill caves
We passed the route to the caves which we had visited a couple of years ago - we must have filled them with fear as all he could remember was those are the caves you will never get out of if you fall in!
- 4. The view up Gleann Dubh towards Conival
The excellent path continues up the glen with much to enjoy along the way.
- 5. The view back towards Loch Assynt
Soon the hills further south appear.
- 6. Views towards Canisp and Cul Mor start to open up
At this point the path gets a little steeper and there are a few boggy patches.
- 7. Starting to get steeper
At this point we managed to deviate off the best route. We crossed the stream too early and, although the way was obvious and easily passable, the main route sticks well to the left of the water and only crossed much further up. Route finding much easier on the way down!
- 8. The route we took
Once we reached the rock band we took a route which appeared as a zig zag much further right of the path. It was shingle but easily dealt with.
- 9. Passed the rock band into the upper coire
Once we emerged into the upper coire we could see a very obvious path which we joined. As you come out of this section the views really open up across the empty miles of beautiful, empty countryside.
- 10. Ben Klibreck and Ben Hope
There is still quite a way to go to the summit from here, the first part being quite steep which took us by surprise - probably the only down moment of the day. Then it levels out and the rest of the walk to the summit is easy and the views were amazing.
- 11. Conival ridge
- 12. Nearly there..... just over a few more rocks!
- 13. Conival summit
- 14. View from the summit
There were quite a few pesky midges about so we decided to press and have a look at the ridge. We'd met a chap coming back who said it was rocky but in no sense exposed so we felt our confidence rise.
- 15. Checking out the ridge
- 16. Let's go for it!
We didn't feel the ridge presented us with any difficulty - and we are easily frightened! It needed quite a bit of concentration on where to step because of the rocks but that's all.
- 17. Looking down on Dubh Loch Mor
- 18. The summit of Ben More Assynt in sight
We took some pics and then decided to head back across - too many midges to hang about for long. On the way back we met a guy we had met the previous day who had walked down Ben Hope with us so we had a quick chat.
- 19. Looking back to Conival
- 20. Made it back again!
After a quick lunch we made our way back down - following the now obvious path much nearer to the burn and a few metres of easy scramble down the rocks.
- 21. The cairn that marks the route down the rock band
- 22. Following the path this time
Looking back you can just about pick out the path.
- 23. The path down showing whiter
- 24. Nearly done
An added bonus was the view from the road to Lochinver of both summits.
- 25. View of Conival with Ben More Assynt ridge behind
And of course pies from the Lochinver larder!
We enjoyed the day so much. The weather was perfect and we had achieved more than we had hoped. The route has so much interest and for us it was a just a little more challenging than our previous walks.
That's the four northern Munros bagged and a fab few days to look back on.
Spent many holdiays up here as a kid but haven't climbed any of the hills - your report definitely whets the appetite - cheers