free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I had climbing Suilven several times over the years, and had also spent a few night’s in Suileag Bothy at it’s foot. During those years I’d been dreaming of a high camp on this iconic mountain, but the timing was never right when I was actually up in the awesome area of Assynt, the weather had never played ball with my dream, but this time I was lucky enough to be up when a spell of high pressure was fixed over Scotland…my chance had come…my dream was to become a reality.
The previous evening I had wild-camped at the road end at Achnahaird Bay, near to Achiltibuie, which has a great view of the Assynt mountains, a few showers passed to reveal some spectacular rainbows during the late afternoon.
Achnahaird Bay (1) by
Alan, on Flickr
Achnahaird Bay (4) by
Alan, on Flickr
The next morning I was up to witness a fabulous sunrise, Suilven was looking very inviting…time to pack up and head to Lochinver.
Achnahaird Bay, sunrise (3) by
Alan, on Flickr
I walked in from Glencanisp Lodge under a blue sky, with no wind and the warmth of the sun on my face, it was going to be a great day and night.
Canisp and Suilven by
Alan, on Flickr
Canisp by
Alan, on Flickr
I popped into Suileag Bothy en route, as much I love a night in a Bothy, I was pleased I was not stopping here tonight.
Suileag Bothy (1) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suileag Bothy (2) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suileag Bothy (5) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven (1) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven (2) by
Alan, on Flickr
Once off the main track to Elphin I reached the boggy mile section that leads to the steep climb to the summit ridge, a ten minute walk from the bealach easily leads to the main summit at 731 meters.
Suileag from Suilven by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven East peak by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven ridge by
Alan, on Flickr
The summit is a flat grassy dome, perfect for camping…as long as the wind does not pick up. I set up camp right by the summit cairn, but decided to move later to a more sheltered spot which I eyed up as I walked up the ridge, as I was not sure if the wind would pick up in the night.
Suilven West summit (2) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven West summit camp (2) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven West summit camp by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven West summit by
Alan, on Flickr
What a place to camp! Simply awesome! I was a lucky and happy guy as you can see from the pictures.
Suilven, view to Skye at sunset by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven, view to Skye at sunset (2) by
Alan, on Flickr
I moved to the other spot just after sunset and settled down for the night.
Suilven, dusk. by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven, Aurora by
Alan, on Flickr
I was awake at the crack of dawn, there was just the right amount of high cloud to enhance the sky as the sun rose to the east.
Suilven sunrise (7) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven sunrise (1) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven sunrise (2) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven sunrise (3) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven sunrise (4) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven sunrise (5) by
Alan, on Flickr
Suilven sunrise (6) by
Alan, on Flickr
What a place to witness the sunrise, I was in awe and just about the luckiest guy alive that morning.
Utterly contented I packed and set off.
Suilven by
Alan, on Flickr
This had been an experience of a lifetime, one I will never forget.
Suilven I love you!
If you like this, you should like the video of this trip here...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gldj7BHZPzg