Assynt Super Route, High Level.
Posted: Mon Oct 03, 2011 7:04 pmDate. Sunday 2nd October 2011
Completed by. Dave, Julie, Wilson and Jake
Weather. Heavy cloud, then turned out beautiful
Time. 12hrs 30 min
Distance. 24.2 km
Ascent. 2124 m
Hills.
Munro’s x 2
Corbett’s x 1
Grahams x 0
Conival, Ben More Assynt
Breabag
Starting from.
1.5km south of Stronchrubie NC 252 179
The joys of chasing the weather had brought us up to the far North of Scotland Sutherland. The forecasts seemed to be pretty poor all over for the weekend, but the further North seemed to be getting the better of what was on offer.
We had the weekend window to make the best of what was on offer. Saturday supposedly getting the better weather would be reserved for Quinag. And today Sunday the 2nd would be for our Ben More Assynt circuit with a twist.
Got parked up at 1.5km south of Stronchrubie NC 252 179 and were on the hoof before 9am, we followed the good path for approx 2km heading for the Bone caves. We spent a good 30mins exploring this unique place before finally moving on. Making for the low point on Breabag, we then headed for the 718 summit!!! Heading north from there towards Breabag Tarsuinn. As we were heading towards Breabag Tarsuinn I realised my error, I had assumed the 718m height to be the summit, F**k Grrrrr. Ahh well it would not be a problem as we could still catch the summit on the way out as we were planning on ascending the south ridge of Ben More Assynt anyway.
The views West were ok; the sky was trying its best to rid himself from all its cloud. But to the East towards Conival and Ben More they were still non-existent. We got our first glimpse when we were on Breabag Tarsuinn. Initially that’s all it was a glimpse, but very soon we were blessed with cracking views that would continue for the rest of the day.
We now had to try and negotiate a route up Conival and from Breabag Tarsuinn this looked near impossible. A few weaknesses were spotted but not many. We carried on down, and made our way up as best as we could. It was a steep climb, very tough indeed. At about 750m we were met with a wall of rock, I may have been able to negotiate this if it were not for the dogs, but because of their presence we had no choice but to contour round NW until we were able to break on to the ridge. We eventually hit the ridge and the path about 500m from the summit.
The views were breathtaking all around. It really felt like all the earlier hard work, combined with my error on Breabag had paid off.
Ben More Assynt looked like an easy route to the summit, but my eyes were drawn to its tasty South ridge. Looked like we were now going to have some fun.
Ben More was reached fairly quickly, and before we knew it we were halfway along the South ridge. This ridge had already exceeded my expectation and we were only but half way over. Farther along there is a few airy bits and at one point I was actually on all 4’s. That’s what happens when you wear new boots for the first time. (Scarpa sl3 boots, I think the soles are crap very slippy on the rock. I have no confidence. I want my old ones back)
Wilson seemed to take it in his stride, nothing new to him. But Jake seemed to have much less confidence on the ridge, especially on the airy exposed bits. But hey, he is only but 9 months old, and im sure, as like Wilson he will gain experience as time goes by.
We soon pass the 868 height and then drop down to the river Oykel. We then decide on the easier less steep route up, and then skimming the top of Coireen Ban before finally reaching what should have been our first summit of the day, the 815 summit of Breabag.
The sun was setting as we were approaching Breabag, and the views were tremendous. This raised our spirits immensely. By the time we reached the summit we had missed the best of the sun setting, and within no time dark had set in all to quickly.
We had a quick rummage through our pack for the head torches, organised our maps, got a bearing and decided to make for the Bone Caves from there it was easy street back to the car on very tired legs.
Completed by. Dave, Julie, Wilson and Jake
Weather. Heavy cloud, then turned out beautiful
Time. 12hrs 30 min
Distance. 24.2 km
Ascent. 2124 m
Hills.
Munro’s x 2
Corbett’s x 1
Grahams x 0
Conival, Ben More Assynt
Breabag
Starting from.
1.5km south of Stronchrubie NC 252 179
The joys of chasing the weather had brought us up to the far North of Scotland Sutherland. The forecasts seemed to be pretty poor all over for the weekend, but the further North seemed to be getting the better of what was on offer.
We had the weekend window to make the best of what was on offer. Saturday supposedly getting the better weather would be reserved for Quinag. And today Sunday the 2nd would be for our Ben More Assynt circuit with a twist.
Got parked up at 1.5km south of Stronchrubie NC 252 179 and were on the hoof before 9am, we followed the good path for approx 2km heading for the Bone caves. We spent a good 30mins exploring this unique place before finally moving on. Making for the low point on Breabag, we then headed for the 718 summit!!! Heading north from there towards Breabag Tarsuinn. As we were heading towards Breabag Tarsuinn I realised my error, I had assumed the 718m height to be the summit, F**k Grrrrr. Ahh well it would not be a problem as we could still catch the summit on the way out as we were planning on ascending the south ridge of Ben More Assynt anyway.
The views West were ok; the sky was trying its best to rid himself from all its cloud. But to the East towards Conival and Ben More they were still non-existent. We got our first glimpse when we were on Breabag Tarsuinn. Initially that’s all it was a glimpse, but very soon we were blessed with cracking views that would continue for the rest of the day.
- Bone caves
- Bone caves
- Canisp and Suilven
- Cloud lifting
- Julie with the mutts.
- Pano Canisp in centre.
- From 718 height on Breabag.
- 1st views of Conival
We now had to try and negotiate a route up Conival and from Breabag Tarsuinn this looked near impossible. A few weaknesses were spotted but not many. We carried on down, and made our way up as best as we could. It was a steep climb, very tough indeed. At about 750m we were met with a wall of rock, I may have been able to negotiate this if it were not for the dogs, but because of their presence we had no choice but to contour round NW until we were able to break on to the ridge. We eventually hit the ridge and the path about 500m from the summit.
The views were breathtaking all around. It really felt like all the earlier hard work, combined with my error on Breabag had paid off.
Ben More Assynt looked like an easy route to the summit, but my eyes were drawn to its tasty South ridge. Looked like we were now going to have some fun.
Ben More was reached fairly quickly, and before we knew it we were halfway along the South ridge. This ridge had already exceeded my expectation and we were only but half way over. Farther along there is a few airy bits and at one point I was actually on all 4’s. That’s what happens when you wear new boots for the first time. (Scarpa sl3 boots, I think the soles are crap very slippy on the rock. I have no confidence. I want my old ones back)
- Back to 718 height on Breabag from Conivals slopes.
- route on to Conivals ridge.
- Looking to Ben More from Conival. Jakes 1st Munro......
- Ben More and the south ridge
- Quinag and Glas Bheinn
- Back to Conival from Ben More
- South Ridge
- Back along south ridge towards Ben More.
- Conival, Ben More and the south ridge.
Wilson seemed to take it in his stride, nothing new to him. But Jake seemed to have much less confidence on the ridge, especially on the airy exposed bits. But hey, he is only but 9 months old, and im sure, as like Wilson he will gain experience as time goes by.
We soon pass the 868 height and then drop down to the river Oykel. We then decide on the easier less steep route up, and then skimming the top of Coireen Ban before finally reaching what should have been our first summit of the day, the 815 summit of Breabag.
The sun was setting as we were approaching Breabag, and the views were tremendous. This raised our spirits immensely. By the time we reached the summit we had missed the best of the sun setting, and within no time dark had set in all to quickly.
- Sun Set near Breabag summit
- and from the summit
We had a quick rummage through our pack for the head torches, organised our maps, got a bearing and decided to make for the Bone Caves from there it was easy street back to the car on very tired legs.
Those caves certainly look interesting - can understand why you spent some time there at the start.
