Silver's not good enough for this fortunate Corbett
Posted: Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:41 am- Sgurr an Airgid as seen from road to Ratagan
Third walk in Kintail. I seem to have recovered somewhat from the Sisters so it’s time for a hill again. My first Corbett, and first solo hill. Destination is Sgurr an Airgid, the silver peak and it should be very easy as it’s a good path all the way up which can be spotted from miles away. It stands alone on the corner of Loch Duich and Strath Croe and has free views across the Loch to all the major peaks in the area and because it doesn’t have a munro looming over it it also has clear views towards the islands, Apple Cross and Strathcarron. I’ve heard say that the views from this little hill are perhaps even to be preferred over those from the Sisters because you get nearly everything you also see from the Sisters (it is 850 m high after all) plus there’s the added bonus of seeing the ladies themselves. I must agree! What’s more, you can see other things not visible from the Sisters: stuff behind the South Ridge, the whole length of Gleann Lichd, not only Rum but also Eigg, even Ben Nevis poking out in the gap at the end of Glen Shiel. This is one fortunate little hill. I know many of you climb for the challenge, and that is something this one will not offer, but miss out on these views when in Kintail and you do yourself a disservice. It’s only 4 hours up and down all together, so I’m sure you can find the time somewhere
I heard there were feral goats roaming free on this hill and quite looked forward to an encounter. Though I know all that´s meant by this is that they are not domesticated, I can´t help but think of this when hearing the word ‘feral’:
So quite curious about these beasties
They turned out rather harmless and ran down an insanely steep slope when they spotted me (must have thought me the scary one!). Pretty sight:- goats on Sgurr an Airgid
Others that have done this walk have commented on the bogginess of the bealach, but due to the recent lack of rain I barely got my boots muddy. I know this is hard to believe as all other parts of the country seem to be dissolving in never-ending rain, but it’s true! Made for easy going.
The weather was very comfortable for walking: dry, mostly cloudy, but said to raise above most munros around midday. I went up in a t-shirt but a sharp Northerly wind hit me on the summit that was pretty darn cold without sun to warm me. Out came the thermals, both fleeces, hat and gloves. Yes, this is summer in Scotland…
- It's cold but pretty up here
After going up to the summit I also walked on to a slightly lower second summit a bit further west. There were better views down to the Skye bridge from there, but to tell the truth I prefer the views from the main summit.
- Panorama towards Sisters
There was no-one on the top so I found a spot out of the wind just below the summit cairn facing the Southeast corner and made myself comfortable. Some low clouds drifted by at eye level, but the last of the peaks around soon cleared, the clouds settling just above them. There was some sunshine and blue sky as well, though briefly:
- A bit of blue sky on the summit
The moody light made for strange pictures almost devoid of color:
- Towards Rum
- Towards Glenelg
- Towards Knoydart
- Cloud hanging about the Sisters
- Towards the Saddle
The light kept changing, some sunny patches playing across the hills.
- Hill West of Gleann Lichd - don't know the name.
- A spot of sun in Gleann Lichd
- Down towards the bealach
I heard nothing up here but the wind and the occasional raven. I sat and I watched and watched and watched: And before I knew it 3 hours had gone by! I heard voices: 5 people coming up. Time to come out of hiding and head back down, but not before a chat of course. They used my Swiss army knife (5 people and no knife?!) to cut their ‘summit cake’ and I got a big piece myself. Nice Not that I really needed it; I seem to be doing nothing but eating out here in the hills. I start with double breakfast, then first lunch, second lunch, nuts, fruits, muesli bars, chocolate… I think I’m going to be fat instead of trim when getting back home :-s
On the way back down I spotted this little fellah:
- Dragonfly
And was treated to the some pretty colors in the mudflats of the river Croe:
- Mudflats of Strath Croe
It was a lovely day!
