walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro


Postby Mountainlove » Wed Mar 18, 2015 5:00 pm

Route description: Liathach, Glen Torridon

Munros included on this walk: Mullach an Rathain (Liathach), Spidean a' Choire Lèith (Liathach)

Date walked: 18/03/2015

Time taken: 7.45 hours

Distance: 11 km

22 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

I woke up to a beautiful morning at the Torridon campsite. Freezing conditions the night before had woken me up few times and my wee tent was still covered in frost. Brrr. After a mega quick lukewarm shower :? - (the only downside of the campsite), I had breakfast and got ready to climb Liathach. :D

Image
Liathach rising steeply the night before the climb

The starting point is a short 5min drive from the campsite and having slept at the foot of the mountain the previous 2 nights, made it even more special to finally climb it. I arrived at an empty car park just before 9pm and the steep sandstone cliffs of Liathach reflected the morning sun in a warm glow. A wee cairn indicated a lovely path up the mountain.

Image
The wee cairn and path up

The sun was warm and within the first half an hour I had stripped down to my T-shirt. With the burn to my left the walk was a pleasure. Taking my time the path climbed higher and higher until I reached a curved wall of rocks. Stopping for the first time I looked in the valley far below.

The road looked tiny and was even more dwarfed by the big mass of Seana Mheallan at 437m which looked like a small lumb of a hill from my viewpoint.
I continued up the hill and by the time the path forked to the right an hour had passed from leaving the car. The path was now leading past some big snow patches and a few scrambles were required to climb the hill. Steeper and steeper the path climbed until I had reached the the ridge. 830 meters ascent in 1.7km is quite a climb. :shock:

Image
The path

Image
Closer up, just before the path turn towards the right

Image
Looking back down and the lump of Seana Mheallan

Image
The first 3 peaks. The first Munro is the furthest away one

I walked along the ridge and the views were as amazing I had hoped them to be. Beinn Eighes Sail Mhor rose steeply from the valley floor and the path I had walked around the previous day, was clearly visible. Lochans reflected the dark blue sky and some lovely looking Corbetts could be seen across Wester Ross. Forcing my eyes away from the view I looked down and saw that the ridge was covered in soft snow. No need for crampons yet and walking along, I stopped many times to take in the view and take photos. It was certainly a day to be enjoyed. :D

Image
The first wow views ahead towards Beinn Eighes Sail Mhor and path to climb it

Image
The views ahead

Image
Looking into the distance

The first peak was climbed quickly and standing at the top Stob a Choire Liath Mhor looked magic. Covered in snow with a line of footprints right next to the razor sharp edge with steep drops to either site. Time to put on the crampons and get my ice axe out.

Image
View from the first summit back along the ridge

Image
Towards Beinn Eighe

Image
Towards Ben Alligin and some lovely Corbetts

Image
And towards Stob a Choire Liath Mhor

Geared up I walked along the rocks, before I reached the snow. My crampons made screeching sounds on the rocks and I felt like a right winter mountaineer. :D With a grin on my face I walked on, so glad that I waited for a perfect day to climb this hill. :thumbup:
With crampons the walk up the hill was easy, but looking down the snow slope, left my stomach in a knot and made me grip my ice axe that wee bit harder. A fall would be pretty serious! With jelly knees I took some photos and decided not to look down for the rest of the climb ...ignorance works sometimes! 8) I felt relieved when I stepped on the summit of Stob a Choire Liath Mhor and was able to see the first Munro of the day ahead of me.

Image
Down to the left

Image
Down to the right

Image
and ahead

Image
At the top of Stob a Choire Liath Mhor looking back

Walking along the summit I reached a steep cliff. Considering if it would be easier to take the crampons off, I looked down and saw crampon marks down some rather steep looking snow slope. It looked doable.Gripping the rocks I lowered myself down the edge and realized that most of the snow was frozen solid. Kicking my feet in as hard as I could it was pretty scary and I remembered reading that some rock climbing moves might be required. I certainly did not look like a climber, while god knows what moves I made 8) :lol: , I inched myself down the rock. It was scary and I was relieved when I reached the bottom. As usual looking up the bit I just climbed up looked like nothing grrrr

Image
Walking along the top with the Munro

Image
The first Munro of the day - looking lovely

Image
The down climb, looking rather easy from the bottom

The scary part was soon forgotten when I looked up the Munro. The nearly frozen snow glistened in the sun and I started the climb. It was steep and pretty frozen solid and by the time I reached the summit I was drenched in sweat. At the top I met 2 climbers who had came up one of the snow gullies and were as surprised as me that we seemed to be the only people on top of the mountain during such a beautiful day.

Image
Snow turned to ice

Image
A fine slope

Image
Close to the top looking back down

Image
From the summit looking back

Image
and ahead whats yet to come

Image
Myself

Saying good bye to the climbers, I saw the Fasarinen looming dark and uninviting ahead of me. The north face was pure rock and they seem to climb vertical from the valley below and ice cold wind blew in my face when I inched myself over the edge to look down below.

Image
The Fasarinen

Image
Over the edge towards the north

Image
Back down to the road

Image
Towards the distance

Image
Close to the edge

Image
Let the walk begin

The south side was the complete opposite. Away from the wind the sun was warming the rocks and the snow had melted and left a carpet of coarse grass, still brown from the lack of oxygen and air, yet inviting for a scroll. Putting my crampons away, I stepped on the so called bypass, which even though avoids most peaks still climbs across some and makes the going along a lot quicker. Out of the wind I was soon back in my T-shirt and enjoyed the steep drops to my left. Things changed when I encountered my first snow covered gully.
Urgh! :shock: There were some footprints across, but with the melt in the previous days I could also see some cracks in the snow. Getting my ice axe out again - there was no way on earth I would walk across it without it. I tried the first step which seemed solid. But what a drop to the valley below. Deciding that looking down was not a good idea, I pushed my ice axe deep into the snow and using it as a handle made my way across the gully. Scary! Needless to say , I was pretty relieved when I reached the other site and the path again.

Image
It started to look like summer

Image
Eeek the first gully to cross

Image
Head for heights is required

Image
Looking down the gully

Image
First gully done there was a lot more ahead

Image
But with views like that the hardship is easily forgotten

Image
Still on the bypass

Image
From one of the other gullies looking down

Image
The last of the Pinnacles


Walking along the path wound it self around the Fasarinen and I had to cross 6 more snow covered gullies until I finally stepped on a grass covered meadow. The final climb towards my 200th Munro could begin. :D
The grassy slope felt like a red carpet after the steep cliffs, snow covered rocks and snow filled gullies and with ice axe and crampons tucked away and was able to stride towards the summit.

Image
The final Munro ahead

Image
Nice and easy

Image
But still breathtaking views towards the right

Image
More views

In the distance the ocean glittered in hazy sunlight and I was able to spot my campsite, the walk now easy was soon over when I placed my hand on the cairn...200 Munros completed. Yeah! Taking some pictures of myself with my self timer, I sat down and had lunch while enjoying the views towards Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg. In the far distance I spotted 2 other walkers, but had the summit for myself.

Image
Yeah 200!

Image
Views towards the ocean and Beinn Alligin

Image
Looking back towards the ridge

Image
The cairn

Image

Enjoying the sunshine I stayed for 45min until I managed to drag myself away. Time for the down climb. A downhill slope of scree greeted me and it was back to reality...this would not be fun. More sliding than walking I struggled down the hill until half way down the the path resembled a path again. From there it was a pleasant walk back to the road and back to the car again...Liathach I will be back!

Image
The down climb

Image
When the worst bit is over

Image
A gentle walk back close to the bottom

Image
On the road back to my car
User avatar
Mountainlove
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1346
Munros:88   Corbetts:54
Fionas:7   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:3   
Islands:10
Joined: Feb 2, 2010
Location: North Ayrshire

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby MilanBohac » Wed Mar 18, 2015 5:07 pm

Beautiful!!!! :clap:
User avatar
MilanBohac
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 33
Munros:25   Corbetts:4
Fionas:4   
Sub 2000:2   
Joined: Jan 18, 2015
Location: Czech Republic

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby kev_russ » Wed Mar 18, 2015 5:10 pm

Braw 8) Well done on hitting the big 200
User avatar
kev_russ
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 395
Munros:198   Corbetts:77
Fionas:27   Donalds:33
Sub 2000:14   Hewitts:7
Wainwrights:9   
Joined: Mar 17, 2009
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby basscadet » Wed Mar 18, 2015 5:24 pm

What a day, You must be chuffed with that :D
Well done on reaching the 200 mark, over 70% of the way to compleation - yaay! :lol:
User avatar
basscadet
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 2778
Munros:84   Corbetts:52
Fionas:18   Donalds:8
Sub 2000:34   Hewitts:13
Wainwrights:17   Islands:21
Joined: Dec 1, 2011
Location: Edinburgh

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby Alteknacker » Wed Mar 18, 2015 5:36 pm

Is this a wonderful mountain or is it a wonderful mountain??? That first shot must have been taken a zillion times - I took exactly the same shot as I drove down the Glen. I hope to do the ridge again this year, hopefully taking in Ben Alligin.

I would almost say, as others have done, that Beinn Eighe is even better - because you get the best views of Liathach from there!!!

You had such a BRILLIANT day for it - I envy you, especially being a relatively short drive away!

Well done on your 200-up! :clap: :clap:
User avatar
Alteknacker
Scrambler
 
Posts: 3473
Munros:176   Corbetts:33
Fionas:1   
Hewitts:264
Wainwrights:118   
Joined: May 25, 2013
Location: Effete South (of WIgan, anyway)

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby Graeme D » Wed Mar 18, 2015 5:38 pm

A special hill for a special day! :clap:
User avatar
Graeme D
 
Posts: 3996
Munros:251   Corbetts:123
Fionas:75   Donalds:22
Sub 2000:59   Hewitts:36
Wainwrights:28   Islands:6
Joined: Oct 17, 2008
Location: Perth

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby The Rodmiester » Wed Mar 18, 2015 5:44 pm

God, you won't forget that day in a hurry, wonderful stuff on a fabulous hill. Fantastic record and photographs :clap: :clap: :D Many Congratulations on reaching your 200mark :clap: :D What a day!
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby larry groo » Wed Mar 18, 2015 6:23 pm

Fantastic!!!

Well done on the 200!

:clap: :clap: :clap:
User avatar
larry groo
 
Posts: 577
Joined: Apr 19, 2010
Location: Angus

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby martin.h » Wed Mar 18, 2015 7:37 pm

You've got nerves of steel.
Congratulations on your 200 and what a mountain to do it on.
Thanks for sharing your achievement.
User avatar
martin.h
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 657
Munros:223   Corbetts:25
Fionas:15   Donalds:15+2
Sub 2000:4   Hewitts:151
Wainwrights:214   Islands:29
Joined: Jul 31, 2011
Location: Halifax, West Yorkshire
Walk wish-list

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby gammy leg walker » Wed Mar 18, 2015 9:18 pm

Many congrats on reaching 200 and what a mountain to reach that number. :clap: :clap:
User avatar
gammy leg walker
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 3464
Munros:282   Corbetts:7
Fionas:4   Donalds:3+0
Sub 2000:2   
Islands:7
Joined: Jan 30, 2010
Location: Central Region
Walk wish-list

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby Huff_n_Puff » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:04 pm

Stunning pics and a fantastic achievement :clap: :clap: so glad you got such a brilliant day to reach the 200 - many congratulations :D
User avatar
Huff_n_Puff
Walker
 
Posts: 1083
Munros:278   Corbetts:20
Fionas:10   Donalds:1
Sub 2000:19   Hewitts:5
Wainwrights:1   Islands:19
Joined: Apr 13, 2012

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby hopper68 » Wed Mar 18, 2015 10:31 pm

Brilliant stuff, well done on reaching 200 ....great achievement :clap:
hopper68
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 62
Munros:199   Corbetts:34
Fionas:17   Donalds:28
Sub 2000:9   Hewitts:8
Wainwrights:13   Islands:11
Joined: Oct 25, 2014
Location: Hamilton

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby Mountainlove » Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:12 am

Many thanks for all your lovely messages.
The mountains of Torridon are amazing and I certainly can't wait to climb some of them again. :D
User avatar
Mountainlove
Munro compleatist
 
Posts: 1346
Munros:88   Corbetts:54
Fionas:7   Donalds:10
Sub 2000:3   
Islands:10
Joined: Feb 2, 2010
Location: North Ayrshire

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby Petr Dakota » Thu Mar 19, 2015 9:33 am

Congratulations to your 200 ! :clap: :) :clap:
Nice photos from beautiful area...it was really great sunny day yesterday. I am planning Torridon and especially the Liathach for my 100 :wink: Hope the weather will be good enough to enjoy all the views around :)
Well done...
User avatar
Petr Dakota
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 1274
Munros:247   Corbetts:28
Fionas:8   Donalds:4
Sub 2000:3   Hewitts:19
Wainwrights:12   Islands:1
Joined: Sep 3, 2014
Location: North Lanarkshire

Re: Snow-Rock-Ice Liathach - my 200th Munro

Postby Beaner001 » Thu Mar 19, 2015 10:07 am

Congrats on the 200 up!! :clap: You got a fine day for a fine Mountain :D
User avatar
Beaner001
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 763
Munros:241   Corbetts:29
Fionas:3   
Sub 2000:7   Hewitts:2
Wainwrights:1   
Joined: Sep 17, 2013
Location: Aberdeenshire

22 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Next



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: colinhenderson, fireman, mariansharkey, nigheandonn, Pammie1mac, PeteR, ppeters, sherinedeakin and 75 guests