Canisp - Assynt Is Growing On Me!

[Gordie12]

I was a bit undecided today. The forecast suggested if I was going to chase the decent weather then it would be the north west but beyond that I had Glas Bheinn, Ben More Assynt, Suilven, Cul Mor and Canisp in my head so I took info on all of them with me. By the time I got to Inverness I had decided on Glas Bheinn, decision taken, then when driving past Loch Awe I stopped in the parking area to the north of the loch and once I had looked up towards Canisp I binned Glas Bheinn and got the boots on - there's nothing to beat being decisive

The WH notes warn about a damp start and it is pretty squidgy for the first twenty minutes.

Loch Awe

Looks like a straight forward route ahead

There was a lot of surface water on the path rather than deep bog and it was possible to meander on and off the track to keep the feet reasonably dry as I walked round the north end of Loch Awe and followed the grassy track as it gently climbed through the heather.

I could see about a dozen deer ahead of me and assumed they would quickly disappear once they saw me heading towards them but surprisingly they weren't that bothered by me. When I reached them they were about thirty to forty yards off the path and they just stood their ground and kept a close eye on me. Especially at this time of year I didn't want to get any closer so took a few shots and left them to it.

Not that bothered by me

Seconds out.......round 1

Grassy track

It didn't take me long to lose the track but it didn't seem to matter as I was on a wide shoulder and it looked like it was just a case of choosing my route and heading up.

Transition from wet grass track to a few boulders dotted around

Getting drier and rockier

Looking back to Loch Awe

Getting more interesting

On reaching a minor rocky gorge I headed over to the left where I could see the outline of a path on the far side, this was a bit slick on the incline and a couple of times I needed to grab a clump of heather to keep my balance. After the gorge it was a bit rockier which was great as the feet could dry out a bit and I tend to speed up when rock hopping.

In front of me on the climb I had minor tops to my left and right, I headed more towards the left one and eventually I got a good look at the final climb to the top.

Looking towards the top of Canisp

Cul Mor?

I stopped for a couple of minutes trying to decide whether to take the direct route up the final climb or whether to follow the grassy path round to the left and then turning right and climbing up towards the top. I chose to follow the track which was just as well as there was an unseen gorge which would have meant losing a bit of height before taking on the final climb.

Following the grassy track on the final climb

I was really enjoying this climb then all of a sudden this appeared.

Suilven - just WOW

I have seen loads of photos of Suilven before and thought it looked good - seeing it for myself for the first time was just brilliant (even on an overcast slightly dull day). Having grown up using slide film I have an inbuilt conservative approach to taking photos (when paying £10 plus for a roll of 36 slides it teaches you to take only the shots you are fairly sure about) but suddenly the camera was out and I was taking loads of shots from every conceivable angle. I had to force myself away and get on with the final climb and it was only a few minutes to the top.

It had been a very calm morning until reaching the top but suddenly there was a fairly strong and cool wind so I made for the shelter and got the hat and thin gloves on as I would coll down quickly once I started to wander around the top.

Suilven again

This rock looked interesting

Ridge on Canisp (oh, and Suilven in the background)

Shelter at the top

I spent about 15 minutes at the top but the wind was strengthening and for the first time in about 8 months in the hills I was starting to feel cold so decided to head off back down the hill.

Interesting rock formation (Oh and there's Suilven again in the background)

On the way down I very occasionally found the outline of a path but most of the time I was just rock hopping and concentrating on the next step which explains why when I stopped and looked up I was about 300 yards off line and had to contour round the hill to get myself back on the route I took on the climb.

Eventually I meandered my way down and all that was left was the damp grassy track back to the car.

One of the wetter sections of track

Loch Awe

Loch Awe

A very straight forward hill this one and on a good day I would imagine the views would be stunning (I definitely want to return on a better day). The gradient is easy and the rock hopping good fun. The first section (and when returning by the same route the last section as well) is damp and at one point my left boot disappeared below the water but that was on the way back when I tend to stop meandering and go for the more direct option.

The forecast was good for AM and high clouds were meant to come in by early afternoon but when I arrived at the car park at 8.20am the clouds had already arrived and were waiting for me so I didn't get the views as there was also a bit of haze around.

It's taken me a long time to discover Assynt and despite an 8-9hr round trip it's a place I want to get back to as often as I can.

[spiderwebb]

Nice report and great pics even for an overcast day.

it does grow on you doesn't it, my favourite area Suilven is a real mountain Made me laugh about you conservatism towards photos due to the cost of slides.....now wheres my projector ...those 25ASA were a bugger in low light

[dogplodder]

You certainly don't mind the driving to get to a good hill! Makes me think from my vantage point I should be nipping up to Assynt a lot more often!

[The Rodmiester]

Not done this one Geordie, glad to hear the first section is not as waterlogged as first thought next time I'm in the area looks like this one gets done

[mountain thyme]

I started doing a report for this hill, then lost it.

I was also totally amazed when i got to the top of this hill as the views to suliven was stunning

One of my favourite areas

[rockhopper]

That looked rather nice Can see why this area is growing on you - cheers

[Blokewithastroke]

I envy you - at having the opportunity to - in my case - re-visit this mountain. Although the climb is far from magnificent, the views over to Suilven are simply out of this world. It was for this reason we - i.e. my wife and son - took the effort and climbed it over two years ago. Good on you for climbing this too! I long to be back...

[Gordie12]

Nice report and great pics even for an overcast day.

it does grow on you doesn't it, my favourite area Suilven is a real mountain Made me laugh about you conservatism towards photos due to the cost of slides.....now wheres my projector ...those 25ASA were a bugger in low light

Not to mention all the gear I used to carry, don't think the back could cope with it now.

[Gordie12]

You certainly don't mind the driving to get to a good hill! Makes me think from my vantage point I should be nipping up to Assynt a lot more often!

Changed car in late July and I've done 9,000 miles since (not all hill walking - 400 miles a week to get to work).

With your base you certainly don't have an excuse............next good day!

[Gordie12]

Not done this one Geordie, glad to hear the first section is not as waterlogged as first thought next time I'm in the area looks like this one gets done

It's not very often I do a hill before you Rod - this isn't one for Noddy

[Gordie12]

I started doing a report for this hill, then lost it.

I was also totally amazed when i got to the top of this hill as the views to suliven was stunning

One of my favourite areas

Hi mountain thyme - it's not very often I'm amazed by the sight of a hill but this was different - especially as it is hidden from view the entire way till the last little climb.

I can understand why it is one of your favourite areas.

[Gordie12]

That looked rather nice Can see why this area is growing on you - cheers

Hi rockhopper - I think I need to think about doing a B&B night up there and spending two days in the area rather than one off long drives (but then that would probably be too sensible for me).

[Gordie12]

I envy you - at having the opportunity to - in my case - re-visit this mountain. Although the climb is far from magnificent, the views over to Suilven are simply out of this world. It was for this reason we - i.e. my wife and son - took the effort and climbed it over two years ago. Good on you for climbing this too! I long to be back...

I enjoyed the climb after the first twenty minutes of bog hopping.

I think, like you, this is one I will re-visit.

[BlackPanther]

You brought back memories for me again I never wrote a report from this Corbett as it was done long before I joined WH. It's a cracker, though a bit underrated. I loved it

BTw did you come across the "staircase waterfall"?

[BobMcBob]

What's the worst view in Assynt?
The view from the top of Suilven.
Why's that?
Because you can't see Suilven.



Doesn't matter where I go, if I can see Suilven then that's the only thing I take photos of. Nice to know I'm not alone Enjoyed reading that.