Costa del Heilans day 3

[tall-story]

Nearly done after an early start due to the bloody crows pecking at the roof of my tent and raking in the bins at the camp site I was soon on the go, I had to drive back up the road towards Ledmore Junction and another couple of kms north to Loch Awe and just at the north end of the loch there is a very obvious parking area.

The footbridge crossing the outflow of LochAwe

It was another glorious day with almost wall to wall sunshine and some stunning inversions I was soon booted and on my way on a fairly obvious, if wet at times path. Due to the warm dry spell we were enjoying up to this point I guess that the path was a lot drier than it normally would be

Loch Awe

Cross leaved Heath-similar to Bell Heather and its White

The walk was easy enough if a bit tedious as it just seemed to go on and on, as I gained height though the views and the inversions were getting better and better.

View back to car via the edge of an inversion with Breabag just peeking out behind

Cul Mor inversion

The walk, as mentioned in other reports seems to follow a stream for a good while on slab rock which is easy to walk on (in a dry summer) and you soon gain good height with fantastic views and before long I was looking s/w onto a stunning Cul Mor.

Looking south and Cul Mor inversion

On a bit further and soon the path takes you to the s/w facing ridge and you are looking onto Suilven and beyond to Stac polly and also even better views of Cul Mor.

Cul Mor, Stac Polly and Suilven

Suilven

I`m not going to waffle any more about this hill suffice to say it has some stunning views in all directions.

Suilven Pose

Quinag from Canisp

Suilven and Loch na Gainimh

Canisp summit pose

Summit of Canisp with Suilven

Cotton crass and Canisp

Loch Awe

Stats for Canisp

I was all to soon back at the car and it was decision time, it was still early and I had to make a decision, do I go home or go back to the easy/short climb of Glas Bhienn or just go down the road ???? It was an easy decision really as I didn't really need to be on the road till around 4pm to get me home at a decent hour (8ish) so it was Glas Bheinn that won that dilemma

Glas Bheinn

So off I went and was soon at the very small car park at the start of the Glas Bheinn walk, I got on the go fairly quickly but missed the turn off for the path so I kept going south and round the bottom of the hill until I decided that the path I was following was taking me the wrong way !

Onwards and upwards

So it was a 90deg turn and straight up the south west face and with very steep but large scree, it was tough going but before long I was at the first of 2 false summits . Eventually I caught up with the correct path and it was an easy stroll to the summit and its superb views in all directions but especially to the north and west as it was less hazy.

Quinag from Glas Bheinn

Summit Pose

Quinag again from the summit of Glas Bheinn

After a while just relaxing and soaking up the memories I had to go and this time I followed the `proper` path down which was very seep and grassy which would not be good in the rain.

This is the path I should have went up and down-very faint indeed it came from the very slight dip in the summit ridge you can see in the photo

Glas Bheinn Stats- Yes honestly, it is correct

In Just over 2hrs ! I was back at the car, I was soon packed up and ready to go but had 5 mins to myself just thinking how lucky we are to live in such a beautiful country with all this stunning scenery and hills just waiting to be climbed. I know it can be very different if the weather is pants but I was very lucky to have enjoyed 3 days in a gorgeous place during one of the hottest weeks we have had this summer. Hence Costa del Heilans

[spiderwebb]

Wow again, jealous somewhat, stunning pics Tallstory, they could grace any wall

[Beaner001]

Fantastic finish to a great trip

[kev_russ]

Costa Del Braw

[dooterbang]

Fantastic little trip you had TS

The NW Coast is stunning but Assynt is like no other place in Scotland, and beyond! Just brilliant that you got them views, what a buzz!! Spent loads of time exploring this area and no doubt will continue to do so.

Never tire of reading adventures and viewing photos of this area, so thanks for posting.

Next stop Mull perhaps....

[tall-story]

Thanks for the kind words guys Yes it will be Mull sometime but I am in no great hurry as the hills are going no where I do plan on going up to the N/W next summer for a similar trip. And with a bit of luck we will have a similar summer to this one which will make it even better.

[dawnfoth]

Another lovely report We've certainly had a fantastic summer! Hopefully next year will be much the same I have lots of big rounds to do, so it better!