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Here we were at last, the Walkhighlands Meet Spring 2012 was kicking off in Kintail. I had started up the thread last year after attending the previous meet-up also based in Kintail where I was duly appointed to take responsibilty for this one (somewhat a surprise on my departure, but what a priviledge it has been....
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Following a fun and entertaining get together in the Kintail Lodge Hotel on the Friday evening involving a great Quiz session hosted by mountainstar, members were up and out on the mountains and hills of Kintail and surrounding areas covering many summits on the Saturday. Those included were Beinn Fhada, A' Ghlas bheinn, Forcan Ridge approaching the Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine, the South Sheil Ridge, the Five Sisters, the Brothers, A'Chralaig and Mullach Froach choire, Sgurr Mhic Bharraich, and also Beinn Alligin up in Torridon. Three members reached their 100th Munro summit on this glorious and very fine mountain day. (It has to be mentioned too that many individuals made great use time before and after the weekend exploring other mountains and areas in the west and northwest, including a bothy night on the Thursday beforehand at Suardalan.)
My walk this day was spent traversing the Five Sisters of Kintail with Valerie, Gavin99, Morecambe Monkey, Jockstar, Suhowfar and of course Ritchie the dug. What a fantastic day we had meeting up with our fellow walkhighlanders who had started earlier coming over the Brothers from the Cluanie Inn carpark.
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- Gaining height now as we proceed above forest line. Just another few hundred metres of climb left before reaching Bealach an Lapain, but what a glorious view down through Glen Sheil with the pointed summit of Faochag standing proud, in front of The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine.
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- Thanks Brian, a grand photo of myself, Valerie, Gavin99 and Morecambe Monkey on the start of the Sisters ridge. Lovely clear view of Saileag behind and the rest of the Brothers as for a the eye can see. The Brothers crew were catching us fast.....(as I had hoped might happen on a meet weekend like this....:) ... some careful timing worked out well, despite the haze of the morning awakening after a night in the pub. )
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- After crossing Sgurr nan Spainteach, and after a quick chat with Iain Watson who caught up with us first, we were soon facing Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe in all it's glory. What a wonderous sight, and what fun, especially the exciting wee drop on the ridge just below the summit zone. I had to nip down with Ritchie first following scrambling Gav, Val and Monkey, leave Ritchie with Valerie and pop back up to check Brian and Su were fine. No problems though, we all had great fun here and a chance to work on all fours. So suitably exhilerated were off now to the summit of our first Munro of the day.
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- Brian and Su on the drop........:)
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- Iain having waited for his party to regroup on the last munro top, had them all approaching fast and it was intriguing to observe them all nipping, scrambling and crawling on all sides of the drop. Both parties now merging we set about lunch no.1 on the summit. Cheers Polly for the wee wave to the camera ... :)
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- Iain Watson (Monarch of the Glen) :) Morecambe Monkey there enjoying a kitkat :)
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- Grazing Walkhighlanders all applying the 'leave no trace' and have a good blether approach to mountaineering ..... :)
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- Our first clear views of Loch Duich as we now walk round swinging in a northwest direction towards our second Munro. What a fittingly glorious day, which of course I had promised several weeks previously ... :) :) :)
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- Lunch no.2 on top of Sgurr na Carnach.....yum, yum....and plenty more chat and quality time shared ... :)
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- Looking on now towards Sgurr Fhuaran (Hill of the Wolf) .... another glorous sight. This enticing mountain was going to be Valerie's 100th Munro, and what a fine choice of mountain!!!
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- Beautiful views east towards Sailaig and the Brothers again, this time further away.........the beginning of our Sisters ridge on the right side.
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- What a day, what a sight back over our last two summits..... :)
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- Valerie and myself on top of the hill of the Wolf! Ritchie boy is just down out of sight scavenging each and every one of Iain's spilt jelly-beans. Lunch no.3 as both groups share in welcoming Valerie on her 100th ..... a special day continues to get more and more memorable!
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- Brian and Su in among the summit boulders. Superb efforts from everyone..................now we must all turn our thoughts to a safe descent and a pint in the Kintail Lodge Hotel.
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- Our party of 7, happy, satified and reluctant to leave after the Brothers crew depart, some heading for the final summit just above Outdoor Centre.
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- Oh........look what still lies ahead, a very long drop and another Munro top before heading down a shoulder into the Allt a' Chruinn and the steep footpath to the shores of Loch Duich. What a glorious sight, one to savour but how are we going to get down here? (It wasn't to bad with a nice big zig-zag)
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- The view looking back up towards Sgurr Fhuaran from the side of Sgurr nan Seaghead.
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- First class entertainment from Monty back in the bunkhouse after an excellent evening gathered again in the Hotel.
Just three days later, Valerie, Ritchie and I are still staying here in Kintail and we wake up to snow in April
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- The Kintail Lodge Hotel were wonderful hosts to everybody and provided a great gathering spot suited to all needs :) :) :)
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- The Five Sisters of Kintail viewed from Sheil Bridge.
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- Another fine and classic view near Bealach Ratagan.
Well that's it folks, the main day of our Walkhighlands Meet 2012 in Kintail. I simply loved the whole experience, the activities and the wonderful tales shared between such a special group of people. As mentioned at the start of this report I must point out that the friendship and fellowship extended several days in the run up, and several days afterwards involving dozens of members all exuding the spirit of loving the outdoors and nature.
Roll on Braemar.......................
