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After the 10 hour day we had had on Saturday, and an early night I awoke early, refreshed and away for Ladhar Bheinn before 0700. Donny was to rest up from walking today and having already been up Ladhar would be exploring the lochs by boat
So a single mountain today, unlike me
My route would take me directly up the path behind our camp spot, into what I can best describe as a hidden valley Coire Dhorrcial, and then strike up the steep slopes of Druim a Choire Odhair, and along the ridge to Ladhar’s eastern top, and summit.
The path starts off weaving its way up through the high bracken, at least this time of year, but the ascent is easy enough on the legs.
Looking back at our camp at the start of the ascent, what a spot
That passed fairly quickly hence the smile, and the path then levels out as it turns a corner into the corrie. Sgritheall across Loch Hourn.
The coire is impressive with huge cliffs at its head and the sharp prow on the left an alternative ascent or descent route, next time maybe.
The level path and the easy going ends all too quickly and the path expires where it crosses the burn, with the huge corrie headwall even closer.
I took a line of ascent direct, in hindsight it may have been better to veer to the right to aim for a lower point on the ridge, but the height would need to be gained at some point anyway, so I headed up the steep slopes. Views opened up to compensate, looking back to Barrisdale, now in the glorious morning sun and the upper section of Loch Hourn, stunning
With much relief I gained the ridge took refreshment and gazed across to Arnisdale and Sgritheall, ever present.
But there was still work to do, Stob a Choire Odhair loomed large ahead especially after the previous ascent
Level with the top of the coire headwall, progress was at least seen, if not felt on weary legs. But perseverance pays off, effort reaps rewards
Looking back into Loch Hourn I saw what was later confirmed as Donny making his way up the upper reaches of the loch.
The climb was steep and exposed in sections, not a place to take a fall for sure, but a look back and my path along the ridge now clear. I decided that on return I would head further along this to gain a less steep descent.
Still not there but Ladhar summit ridge beginning to show itself, through the clag.
View back to Stob a Choire Odhair, no bypass for this one
The last climb gained the summit ridge at Ladhars eastern top with the clag boiling up from Coire Gorm. I was on top of Knoydarts crowning glory
I strolled along the ridge over the summit and onto the Trig, looking back along this fine mountain, thoughts came and went
Summit to Trig
A gorgeous day developed down below, lifting the spirits and providing memorable views to add to those from the day before. I was in my element, this I could understand, made sense
Emotions run high as the hills, in places such as these but down I must go, carefully weaving my way down the exposed ridge, although not overly so. But a joy to revel in, such a remote place.
The descent although reduced in steepness by continuing further along the track was tiring, but the pace quickened along the level path back out of the hidden valley and descent through the bracken back to Barrisdale.
We had arranged that Donny would pack away his gear and tent and would keep an eye out for me on return. The walk had taken me a little over 5 hours. My tent just visible on its own now, on the last grass behind the ‘pond’, centre right.
Now the trouble with boats is they need erm…water and there wasn’t a whole lot of it left in Barrisdale on my return
So I must be smiling at the two wonderful days enjoyed in this stunning place, with Donny…..where are you Donny
I fired up the old Trangia for a cuppa soup whilst I packed away my gear and in the distance Donny appeared plus boat, cripes ! No high tide for the journey out
So after a wee stroll across the shore, it was time to change footwear for a wee paddle, the feet were pleased, after 5 hours in the boots, luvly
All aboard and we were off, with a last look back to Barrisdale Bay, the perfect spot for a weekends walk in Knoydart, a magical place, worthy of further exploration that's for sure