Maol magic

[jonny616]

What can can i say about this walk other than magic. Putting it into context on Saturday 13.09.14 i, along with Gammy, Rottiewieller, canirnbru, spiderwebb and scottish leaf (who is doing the report), did the Liathach traverse. So three days later and I'm in Torridon again. This time with meatball and del246 for my 200th Munro. The choice of hill was a combination of good weather and that this was one of two that meatball had left and not the one he wanted to compleate on.
Traveled up on the Monday evening to stay at the inverness bothy maintained and lived in by rocket ron who is always a top host.
Arrived at the start point a little later than planned, but the dodgy weather on route gone and the skies looking good. Kit faff was fairly quick due to them little blood suckers.
This rush resulted in meatball leaving the map in the car giving del and I the time for our first navigational cock up at the first cattle grid. Elected not to tell him because the grin on his face all day would have been unbearable.
The walk up the glen to the bothy is lovely. We had a wee nosey around and it's a very good wee bothy. From there you start to get a view of the munro with a good path to the beach when the surrounding hills open up and you get a proper look at An Ruadh-stac a fine looking hill. Desision time Corbett or Munro first. Meatball out voted Munro first.
The next bit of path is eroded with some scree, but not as bad in my opinion as others have described it. Then the boulder field to the summit. The views of the Torridon big boys are fantastic and some of the smaller boys look grand as well.

So here I am. A place which on the early days of climbing hills i never really considered i would be, my 200th Munro. A wee sign and a dram. Lots of photos and off we go back to the bealach and then for the corbett.
As i said its a fine looking hill, but a tad scary as it is steep with slabs and then steep scree. Its well with the effort.
A careful descent down to the lochan were meatball suggested a swim A very refreshing thing and afterwards my muscles felt better, although some parts of me headed north. I'm not ready to dive into an ice bath every walk, but i can see why athletes do.
From there we romped back to the bothy and out to the road.

I consider all my hill days magic and those who have accompanied me thus far know i mean that, even though there has been one or two "moments" along the way. When you spend time with friends does it really matter if the weather is good. Aye, i hear you cry! Yes its better but not essential in my book. For me this is probably a top ten day.

Heading up the glen

Bothy

First sight

An Ruadh-stac from the bealach

Maol Chean-dearg

ARS to MCD

Boulder field!

Summit MCD

Summit MCD to Liathach

Beinn Alligin

Looking down on the ascent of ARS

Summit of An Ruadh-stac

Brief view out west

OFT!!!

Lochan swim

Maol Chean-derg

An Ruadh-stac

[Del246]

Great report sir and a fantastic day in the hills Definitely a top 10 day for me. Looking forward to our next outing. Ps I thought the navigation blip was our secret, Meatball will give me pelters

[Jock McJock]

Nice one Jonny, some nice pics there and congrats on the 200 mate

[Meatball]

Cracking day out!

BTW, I suspected!

[gammy leg walker]

Well done on reaching 200 my friend,looks like the weather was kind to all of you.

The Inverness Bothy is a well known secret like the howf in the Fairy Glen andits whereabouts is known only to MM members.

[davetherave]

firstly congratulations on the 200
I don't mean to hijack your report but this seems like a fine way to save me time writing a report of my own. haha

just got back from doing these two hills (reverse route) 20/09/2014. Hope you don't mind me attaching a few pics.

PS. I liked the idea of having a wee dook but the reality feared me.

well done Jonny

[jonny616]

firstly congratulations on the 200
I don't mean to hijack your report but this seems like a fine way to save me time writing a report of my own. haha

just got back from doing these two hills (reverse route) 20/09/2014. Hope you don't mind me attaching a few pics.

PS. I liked the idea of having a wee dook but the reality feared me.

well done Jonny

Feel free Dave. Nice to add a slightly different prospective.

[davetherave]

some pics maybe upside doon, don't ask as I have no idea why. Possibly something to do with they were taken on my galaxy mobile phone!
They are all correct on the pc prior to uploading on WH.

[Rottiewalker]

well done on hitting the 200 , hope you managed a few peppered slices to celebrate catch up soon, cheers

[canofirnbru]

Congrats on reaching 200 Munros!
Looks like you had a fine day out.

[quoman]

well done pal are your bits back down south yet after the swim

[pigeon]

Well done on reaching 200 jonny,looks a fine pair of hills

[Silverhill]

Congratulations on hitting the 200! Very brave to go swimming in that lochan! Brrr!

[jonny616]

Thanks one and all. Dave on mobile devises your pics are the right way up, but on PCs they are all over the shop lol

[AnnieMacD]

Congrats on reaching the 200! ARS is one of my real favourites - these lochans at the bealach are so picturesque but mighty cold I would think!