We stayed overnight at the excellent Old School Restaurant with Rooms at Inshegra.
- Ben Stack from near Inshegra
The weather wasn't too promising when we set out (hail and snow showers!), however, when we arrived, the sky was blue and weather fine.
The route for us was up the steep north west side of Ben Stack. Park beside the old bothy at the side of the A838, just at the north end of Loch Stack.
- The start of the walk.
There is a drovers track here which heads west, then south west for just over a kilometre. Just after the burn is crossed, next to Loch na Seigle, head up the hill, on the right side of the burn. Ben Stack looms over you as you get to the top of the burn.
We couldn't see any obvious path up (well, it was covered in snow!), so picked our way through the crags, heading generally east up the steep slopes in between.
- North West face of Ben Stack
The weather did close in a little with a hail storm followed by snow but by the time we got onto the summit ridge, it cleared a little.
- The summit ridge from the summit.
Now, to be honest, I'm a bit of a coward when it comes to ridges. Basically, I don't like them and I'm convinced they don't like me. If my mates had told me earlier I'd be on the ridge, covered in snow (the ridge that is, not me!) and it was about 3 feet wide, I'd tell them to get lost and there would be no way I'd do it. But, for some reason, I found myself at the front as we hit the ridge. I kept the head down and easily got across to the summit which is just at the end of it.
The snow and hail stopped for a while and allowed us to have some fantastic views all round, especially to Foinaven and Arkle to the north. The only thing to spoil it was the radio mast at the top. I guess they have to go somewhere though.
The descent was fairly straightforward, following generally east towards the A838 again, hitting it at the bend, just after it leaves the south side of Loch Stack.
Follow the road back to the start.
Kudos to my mate Kenny, however. He ran back the 2 miles to the car and drove back to pick the others up!
Care should be taken on the route I show, it was heavy going on the ascent because of the snow and although straightforward on the descent, there are some steep and rocky bits which should be avoided.
A great hill which took us longer that expected, due to me being slow and having to take care especially on the ascent.
I hope you enjoy this description.
Kenny 7sbok
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