Beinn Eighe clear - The Taste of Torridon ( night start )

[Petr Dakota]

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Video: The views from Beinn Eighe

But before this video was made, the day began uncertainly...

Thinking about Torridon in a week day...? Week day ( monday - friday ) it always means for me some short trip only or some easier and quicker hills in longer but time-able distance as I must get back home around 16:30 afternoon - latest. One of my Munros goals for this year is Torridon and my best wish is to do the finest - Liathach with my Brother in september if the weather condition will allow it. My Brother will come to Scotland for one week only and I would like show him the beauty of the most popular areas in the Nort / North-West. He was here many times before, on his last visit in 2014 we did successfuly The National Three Peaks Challenge ( Scotland-England-Wales ), but it's only Ben Nevis and some local hills he has done so I would like to show him some mountains from this list: Ben Hope, An Teallach, Liathach, Suilven, Bla Bheinn, Aonach Eagach and maybe also another trip to Wales to do the Snowdon again, but via Crib Goch & Llyn Llywed... For those mountains is very important the weather, especially good visibility to get the unforgettable views...so big hope for september and back to the recent trip now:
The weather forecast sounded very promisingly for the Tuesday: dry condition, sunshine, good visibility without any wind for the West and North-West…especially the area around Kintail and Torridon as the Eastern part of Cairngorms was rain expectation. This circumstances offered the possibility to go there and get the opportunity for great day out in dry conditions with high chance of beautiful views. Despite the fact that it’s “only” a week day – short time for me, I really started think about it seriously, especially after the experience with this rainy, misty unusual summer when every clear day is rare. Powered and motivated by the imagination of great views I focussed on the Torridon instead of some more accessible mountains by the distance and time. September is nearly here so I can see the conditions there in Torridon before my Brother come and also make some photos from the area for him. I would save the Liathach for the trip with him and I can do Beinn Eighe or atleast Beinn Alligin. The daylight time between sunrise and sunset is still favourable for some early walk…but the distance 340 km from home means about 4 hours driving time each way…is it really doable for me in an week day ??? What time to start from home and what time start the walk if need more than 8 hours for the driving ( expect more busy traffic afternoon on the way back ), walking time by WH is 6-7 hours for Beinn Alligin and 7-9 hours for the Beinn Eighe, then get back home between 16:00 – 16:30…and it’s not sure if there will be good visibility despite the promising weather forecast, as it often happens…misty summits…poor visibility from top…??? Torridon…Torridon…Torridon…hmmm…really crazy and risky plan…but I am crazy enough ! If you want get something extra, you must sacrifice and risk sometime… and if you really love it, you are not even feeling it’s a sacrifice ! Decided, determined, I prepared all for the trip, got some useful informations about the routes and start-finish points, prepared my daughter Cheyenne for sleeping before 19:45 and set alarm for midnight…….but I woke up at 23:40 !!! Started my car exactly at 01:00 am I headed to the North via Stirling, Perth and Inverness. Driving in the night was enjoyable…my thoughts full of expectations I was really looking forward ! In the darkness I saw clear sky with shades of the mountains and forests around…I started believe that the day will be great until I got 15-20 km before my target destination…very fogy there everywhere around !!! Some doubts about the views…but then in last a few km all was clear again…Ufffff
I was ready to do Beinn Eighe or Beinn Alligin, preferable Beinn Eighe, but because of longer route there all depends on my arriving time – if longer driving then still chance to do atleast Beinn Alligin.
I got there at 5:00 am – Beinn Eighe chosen, parked my car at the car park near Liathach where the path to the Beinn Eighe start if you want do it clock-wise. I decided to do it anti clock-wise, use the walk back on the road 2.3 km in the darkness rather and then finish by the path between Beinn Eighe and Liathach easy back to the carpark.

Arriving in the darkness...

Parked here near Liathach. The shaded shapes of Beinn Eighe in the background ( notice the real shape here is exactly the same as in the plate above )...I started my walk at 05:12 am full of expectations.

Walking on the road back to the East...looking back where I left my car, Liathach in the background.

After 2.3 km back on the road, here is another path if you want to do it anti clock-wise. Here is small parking area too ( 2-5 cars approx. space ) if you want leave car here and then finish the walk on the road... You can recognise this point by the small forest - the one and only near this south side of Beinn Eighe ( but not sure how long the forest will be there...)

I really enjoyed the walk up on this nice path

Looking back down to the start point

Sunrise behind the mountain

First top with some views...Liathach visible in the distance - towards West

...and towards East

Liathach again...and the neighbours

Looking back to the South, the way I came...

On the top, but not the real summit yet. View of the west ridge, Coinnneach Mhor... ( Ruadh-stac Mor - the 2nd Munro of Beinn Eighe is not visible on the right ) and the Liathach in the background

Liathach and the ridge again...

...and towards East, there is a stony, rocky way to the main summit - the highest peak here

Nice view of the valley, Ruadh-stac Mor summit visible now in the distance on the left ( 2nd Munro on this route ).

Near the first Munro - summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach...sunrise in the background

Spidean Coire nan Clach closer now

...and again with the ridge behind. Some scramble necessary to get there

Thew ridge to Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe and Creag Dhubh

West again, there is my way to the Ruadh-stac Mor ( at the end on the right )

East view from the summit of first Munro...from Spidean Coire nan Clach

The North view...

The South view...

Self-timer shot on my walk to the 2nd Munro...Liathach in the background

...more photos continues in the following post ( in the comments below )...

[Petr Dakota]

Looking back to the East

...and the west ahead

North...

Ruadh-stac Mor summit - the 2nd Munro of Beinn Eighe

Spidean Coire nan Clach

Looking back after descending the gully

Looking back on the path to the carpark...in the valley between Liathach on the left and Beinn Eighe on the right...in this part of my way I met first walkers between 10:00 - 11:00 am. More couples and some groups who started their walk for the clock-wise route.

It was really GREAT day and I enjoyed all the walk, climb, scrambling and the beautiful views around Very happy for the clear visibility
I got back to the car park at 11:04 am after 5 hours and 52 mins of walk...Some spare time to get back home early - in time Driving back was not so nice like in the silent peaceful night...then started rain after Inverness for almost rest of the way so good timing for the early trip, but I believe there in Torridon was still the better weather yet even afternoon. Safely back home at 16:10 after 45 mins. shoping in Tesco in the remaining spare time
Well, hope the weather will be the same or very similar in September...so Brother, GET READY !!!

[Petr Dakota]

the car park near Liathach - finished my walk...

Ready to drive home

Looking to the Liathach..."hope to see you soon"

looking back in memories now...

[ancancha]

Nice report and phots Petr
Good effort for a great view

[PerthAlly]

Well done once more Petr

You love your early starts, don't you ?

I walked Liathach in June and loved it. Flat calm, sunny and warm. Wouldn't fancy it when the wind is up!

[Graeme D]

Love this report! Beinn Eighe is a tremendous mountain and your shots capture it perfectly. It almost looks like it is wearing a grey coat in many of them - Beinn Eighe's signature look! As for the 1am departure, I was just so jealous reading that. I LOVE that feeling!

[spiderwebb]

Fantastic photos Petr, superb area especially when you get the views like that

[Beaner001]

Great pics Petr, all the best for September and hope you and your brother have a great trip

[dooterbang]

Wondeful photos

A real sense of adventure with the early start.

Looks like you got great weather too.

Cheers.

[Alteknacker]

Glad you got good weather for the best hills in the Highlands save only for the Cuillins - a truly wonderful place.

Beinn Eighe is a wonderful mountain twice over: firstly in its own right; and secondly because you get such good views of Liathach and the rest of the Torridons from it.

Your report brought back some great memories from last year (including the start in the dark, although not quite as early as you!).

[jamesb63]

Excllent report Pert and great photos as usuall
Torridon is my favourite place in the country something magical about it

[martin.h]

Great report Petr and you captured the epic views across Torridon nicely in your photo's.

We are going to Torridon early September so our fingers are tightly crossed for some good weather, especially
for Liathach
Cheers.

[Petr Dakota]

Nice report and phots Petr
Good effort for a great view

Thank you

Well done once more Petr

You love your early starts, don't you ?

I walked Liathach in June and loved it. Flat calm, sunny and warm. Wouldn't fancy it when the wind is up!

Thanks Ally I love the early starts...or rather to say I must love

Love this report! Beinn Eighe is a tremendous mountain and your shots capture it perfectly. It almost looks like it is wearing a grey coat in many of them - Beinn Eighe's signature look! As for the 1am departure, I was just so jealous reading that. I LOVE that feeling!

Thank you Glad that you love it Good visibility allowed all the views

Fantastic photos Petr, superb area especially when you get the views like that

Thank you I was really happy for the views

Great pics Petr, all the best for September and hope you and your brother have a great trip

Thanks Matt Hopefully the weather will be good enough in September, especially in this area

Wondeful photos

A real sense of adventure with the early start.

Looks like you got great weather too.

Cheers.

Thanks The weather was really great - unusually in this Summer Having adventure sense often by the early starts

Glad you got good weather for the best hills in the Highlands save only for the Cuillins - a truly wonderful place.

Beinn Eighe is a wonderful mountain twice over: firstly in its own right; and secondly because you get such good views of Liathach and the rest of the Torridons from it.

Your report brought back some great memories from last year (including the start in the dark, although not quite as early as you!).

Thanks It's really wonderful place and you are right about the Beinn Eighe

Excllent report Pert and great photos as usuall
Torridon is my favourite place in the country something magical about it

Thanks James Really magical place - one of the Best in Scotland

Great report Petr and you captured the epic views across Torridon nicely in your photo's.

We are going to Torridon early September so our fingers are tightly crossed for some good weather, especially
for Liathach
Cheers.

Thanks Martin Hope you will get the good weather and also visibility for the Liathach...enjoy your trip, looking forward to see your photos from Liathach - we will be there in the second half of September ( if the weather conditions will offer good visibility ), we will decide which area just shortly before the trip, depends on the forecast...and the visibility factor will be most important as I want the views for my Brother

[Petr Dakota]

Another set of photos from the day:

The real summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach

Sgurr Ban and Sgurr nan Fhir Duibhe

The Ridge...Liathach and the Torridon Hills behind

The Valley and Loch Maree behind in the distance

Liathach again...

Nice Ridge walk on this rocky part, especially in dry conditions

Liathach...The Mighty Mountain

The Valley again...Ruadh-stac Beag and Meall a'Ghiuthais

and again: Liathach

Spidean Coire nan clach

The Ridge to Ruadh-stac Mor

Western view

Towards South: Sgurr Dubh behind the ridge

Meall a'Ghiubhais in the front and Slioch behind Loch Maree in the distance

Ruadh-stac Mor - views from the summit towards West

...and towards North-East with Slioch in the background

Looking back to the Nort-West side of Beinn Eighe

The Path...

The Waterfall and Ruadh-stac Mor in the background...Hope to see you again Beinn Eighe !!!

[MonikaB]

Wow! That´s cool. I´m getting jealous. Let´s do it together next year!