Loch Quoich Munros- love at first sight

[Mountainlove]

A 4 hour car journey had passed when I turned another corner on the small single track road leading towards Loch Quoich. The view ahead of me let me slam on my brakes and my car came to an abrupt stop. WOW!!!!!!!!
I grabbed my camera and leaving the car, I could not believe that so far I have not known about the beautiful area of Loch Quoich. It was picture perfect, the loch mirror like reflected the mountains of Knoydart and yellow gorse and a few young trees perfected the view ahead of me. It was love at first sight.


Who will not fall in love with this view!

Getting back into my car I continued and could not take my eyes off the view. By the time I had reached the car park I found an empty lay-by a few hundred yards away and saw a perfect camp stop. I stopped for more photos and slowly got ready to climb Gleouraich and Spidean Mialach.


One again because its so beautiful

The path indicated my a pole lead into a massive Rhododendron bush. It looked more a place you nip into for a pee, than the start of a walk, but once out of the bushes a perfect path lead zig zagged up the hill. With no breeze, blue skies and only a few very pretty clouds in the sky it was certainly one of the best days I have been out for walk. The view added to the the magic day and I literally had to stop myself from taking pictures. The path climbed higher and higher and soon the Munro Sgurr a'Mhaoraich across the valley into view. A few large snow patches were left on the southern slopes, but all in all it felt like summer.


The start of the path


Looking back


The road below


Me full of smiles, next to the great path


Sgurr a'Mhaoraich which will be saved for another great day


The bridge close up

By the time I had reached Druim Seileach the South Glen Shiel ridge was looming high ahead of me and it looks just as spectacular from the south side than it does from Glen Shiel, if not even better. 2 hours into the walk I reached the summit cairn of Gleouraich and sat down for lunch.
Looking ahead the ridge looked pretty easy, wishful thinking which I realised soon after.


The south Glen Shield ridge from the south


A shelter (grouse butt?) on the way up


The first Munro of the day-Gleouraich


Gleouraichs cairn


View towards the north-west


View towards Knoydart and Loch Quioch


The ridge ahead- looked pretty easy at the start

After a short downclimb from the first Munro it was back up towards Creag Coire na Fiar Bhealaich. Not lingering I strode on and soon was on a never ending downhill climb. It was in fact 'only' 300 meters, but it seemed a lot worse, as a set of barely healed blisters underneath my toes, started to bug me.
By the time I reached the bealach between the two Munros, Creag Coire na Fiar Bhealaich loomed high above and I was glad that I climbed the hill clockwise. The final climb towards Spidean Mialach was not to bad and was rewarded with spectacular views down the gullies.
The second Munro had a shelter build around its cairn and yet again amazing 360 views were there to be enjoyed. I am not sure how long I stayed, but also looking forward to set up my tent for the night (and have a well earned beer) I made my way down the hill.


Views from the ridge




Look up Creag Coire na Fiar Bhealaich, which never looks bad afterwards on photos


View towards the final Munro




Looking back


From the summit of Spidean Mialach towards the east


Sgurr na Ciche and the ocean in the distance


Towards the south


Me on the final summit


What can I say...the money must have been running out by the time the path up Gleouraich was build. The down hill climb was pretty horrendous and even in perfect weather can only be described as a vertical slope of bog. I guess its one of these down hill walks only enjoyable when covered in a thick layer of snow.
What followed after a pretty spectacular hill walk was an even more spectacular night camping under a starry night and endless hours of gazing towards the hills of Knoydart.


Half way down the mountain


Across the water towards Gairich


Just after sunset


View from my tent


During the next morning

[PeteR]

These two are definitely on my "repeat" list. The day I had them was one of wind, rain and no views and as much as I really enjoyed the day I would like to go back on a similar day to yours and get the full benefit of the views (I recall the views from the next door neighbour were pretty good when I did that hill a couple of Easters ago )

[Mal Grey]

Nice report, looks like wonderful conditions. There is no view better than a stupendous one that's also reflected back upside down.

I remember the ascent being a really good stalker's track, can't remember the descent at all, think we just traversed round quite high before dropping down.

[Beaner001]

I made an arse of reaching the summit of Spidean so had to go back to claim it on a different day which turned out much better than the first attempt Maybe it was a blessing in disguise.
Nice pics ML,
Cheers

[2manyYorkies]

Beautiful pictures, very inspiring, but I have to say I was a bit concerned about the temperature of your beer... did you manage to find a cool spot for it under the car?

[Dexter terrier]

Awesome pictures, really enjoyed them.

[Jock McJock]

Love that place! Lucky you for getting such perfect weather to see it.

[Highart13]

Great photos, superb weather, an awe-inspiring spot and a wildcamp to boot

[Collaciotach]

Grand area and great pics s math a rinn thu

[Mountainlove]

Many thanks all...to answer the question about the beer...even though warm beer does not go down well in any other situation, while camping it some how does not really bother me. It always remind me about Kenya where (when I went into a local bar) I was asked (seriously) if I wanted a warm or cold beer...supposingly warm beer is preferred by the locals

[rockhopper]

superb - hard to beat a trip down here, esp on days like this - cheers

[2manyYorkies]

I guess after a hard walk like that any sort of beer is a GOOD beer.
For what it's worth I particularly like the Schiehallion lager in the Real food Cafe, I don't think I've ever not ordered one when in there!

[Alteknacker]

Awesome pictures, really enjoyed them.

Exactly my reaction. You've probably started a stampede...

[The Rodmiester]

I guess that must be pretty much Perfection Photographs are superb and crisp What a day last Saturday was! some more of the same please

Pity about all the roadworks and the quarry

[Phil the Hill]

Did these in rain and mist, hoping we'd get above it on reaching the summit, but never did Must go back and do them in good conditions if the views are like that.

Re cold beer, the trick is to submerse the cans or bottles in a stream when setting up camp. Should be nicely chilled with a bit of snowmelt. Secure them well with rocks though!