Blaven (Bla Bheinn)

[Frigate]

The start of our 'spring' weekend in Kintail, no we were not lost but took advantage to break the duck on Skye and to recce for walks yet to come (failed in that as the top view was zilch)

The previous week had consisted of agonised weather checks and a myriad of possible routes.
At the Thursdays arrivals planning meeting, that stretched from the comfort of Shielbridge campsite camping chairs to the bar of the Kintail lodge many combinations were proffered. After much deliberation Blaven and a late start is decided upon to give, from 97 worldwide weather forecasts, the best of the weather and chance of views.

So a 09.30 start was selected, strange as Pigeon likes to be coming back by that time, and even stranger I was an hour early.

The promised early drizzle had not yet arrived but as we embused down came the cloud and the wet stuff. Bit of a miserable drive to Skye, exciting for two team members though who had never crossed the bridge's west expansion joint before to leave the mainland behind.

On to Broadford and turn onto the B8083 for Loch Slapin; nice road, made the Glen Etive road seem like a motorway. Across the loch was our first view of the great lump of rock disappearing vertically into the clouds.

Arrived at the Forestry Commission car park as the rain stopped but still no views but its going to clear isn't it.

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Followed the path alongside the Allt na Dunaiche, past the loverly waterfalls and under the slab walls of Clach Glas.

Waterfalls

Again

Turn left and up the steep path into Coire Uaigneich, did I say steep, not compared to what was to come.

Path up to Coire Uaigneich

Way in along the Allt na Dunaiche

Walls of Clach Glas

There are the starts of several paths that head up but all tend to meet together at the rockshute and it is just a question of picking out the path as it fades in and out across the scree and rock slabs. Its not that steep really but care is required as there is a lot of loose rock and in places it is very friable and comes apart quite easily.

Looking back to Loch Fionna-choire

After a shoulder is reached at about 780m some small scrambles are necessary to gain the main ridge which eases as the top is reached.
At the shoulder there are some large clefts riven through the ridge which give startling views through the mountain and into the Coire Dubh beyond.

Clefts on the way up

Its behind you

The top was covered in low cloud and a stiff wind soon cooled us all down, we determined to hang around until the skies cleared but after about 30 minutes it was getting quite cold, but then it was only the 31st of May brrr.

Summit

Yours truely

Even the ravens were grounded

Picking our way back to the 780m shoulder, you guessed it the cloud broke, so the more energetic of us had to scramble all the little rock peaks to throw off the disappointment of no views at the top.

Told you it would clear

Eigg

Pigeon on a rock

Pigeon still there

Back to the car in a little over 5 hours and off for a beer. Walkers Pigeon, Gavin, Chris & Kev.

Blaven

[SusieThePensioner]

Great report and loved the photos Glad the views eventually appeared

[rockhopper]

pity about the weather and the clag - especially with those clefts ! still, looks like you had a good time nonetheless as usual - cheers

[quoman]

Shame about the clag but it looks a nice hill to do i must get maself overthere this year to break myself in.

[pigeon]

Ah if only we'd stayed in bed another half hour Kev Still a really enjoyable day,good report Auld Faither

[PeteR]

Shame about the weather for breaking the Skye duck, but some nice photos all the same

[Frigate]

Great report and loved the photos Glad the views eventually appeared

Thanks Susie, a most enjoyable walk inspite of the clag

pity about the weather and the clag - especially with those clefts ! still, looks like you had a good time nonetheless as usual - cheers

Cheers RH, don't know which was more dramatic, looking down from the top or through the clefts. Some of them seemed climbable but I have no knowledge of what Coire Duhb would be like.

Shame about the clag but it looks a nice hill to do i must get maself overthere this year to break myself in.

Definately Alpine compared to the 'normal' hills, I think going back to these mountains after getting the blue balloon is on the cards not that I am a rockape but some scramble routes would be good.

Ah if only we'd stayed in bed another half hour Kev Still a really enjoyable day,good report Auld Faither

Think I should clarify for the reading public that we slept on opposite sides of the campsite

Shame about the weather for breaking the Skye duck, but some nice photos all the same

Thanks Pete, a very good walk with a little bit of everything thrown in.

[pigeon]

Could have worded that reply a bit better Kev