Loch Lurgainn to Badrallach

[GravelInspector]

This was quite a long day carrying full camping pack over a couple of Grahams. As it was, it was quite a hard day, but the hoped-for spectacular views were hidden on the outside of a cloud bank which hovered over us all day.
Flogging up from the midgey camp by the loch just got dull and tedious. Up hill, under pack, in the rain. On the tops of Sgurr an Fhidleir (no views) and Beinn Mor Coigach we'd occasionally drop packs and go practically running off across the mountain tops in the joy of having dropped the bags. Then we had to pick them up again. Graham-bagging in the mist - SNAFU.
Coming off Coigach to the south ... wasn't difficult, but was daunting. We were all glad to have the steep, pathless downhill stretch behind us.
Getting down to the coast, the weather had picked up into a full gale if not storm-force winds. At the time, I didn't know "King Lear", but now I think back to that walk round the headland and mutter "Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! rage! blow!<BR>
You cataracts and hurricanoes, spout!" For a land-lubbing plains dweller like I was, this was impressive stuff.
Then we plodded on and on and on into Ullapool. We'd got a pre-arranged food and fuel dump here, so suddenly the packs picked up 3 or 4 kilos apiece. Lovely. And onto a tiny little boat, 4 at a time, to get across Loch Broom to an un-named jetty at the foot of the Allt na h-Airbhe. After waiting for the rest of the crew to arrive (and watching the goats tethered by the jetty chewing on old car battery plates - goat cheese from this site is not recommended!!) it was saddle-up, again, and trudge off uphill to our camp site for the evening in the village of Dundonnell. The hill looming above Dundonnell village has remained on my "must climb" list ever since - Beinn Ghobhlach, 635m short and looks an absolute cracker.