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This was part of the WH meet where Gairloch was the basecamp. After many discussions trying to decide which hills were on the menu, on here and Facebook. The final decision as usual was based on the weather forecast.
For me, my main targets for the meet on Friday & Saturday were An Teallach and then Slioch. As Friday looked like being the better day, An Teallach was tackled, the WR for that will be done by one of the other participants. So as Saturday looked like doom and gloom at the beginning of the week, as the week progressed things were looking up.
The volunteers for this little outing were Gill C, Callander Girl, PollyH33, mg1976, Parminder, Old Danensian & Dooterbang, the timings were based on Dooterbangs "hot off the press" forecast which promised an improvement at 1222 exactly. This was one of the themes that spurred us on whilst we were paddling through puddles and trying to locate any/the path
The plan was to follow (or try to follow) the WH route, more of that later.
We mustered at the start point and were soon on our way, waterproofs and hoods up were the order of the day. I would imagine that the path that takes you along the north side of Loch Maree is normally pretty good with the occasional tiny burn to cross, unlike what we had enjoy
Eager to be photographed, note the cloud base
The gang
Take 2, now colour co-ordinated
Plenty of water
The walk along the north side of the Loch takes about an hour, then the real work begins with a gradual uphill pull. The path was easy to follow initially, but as we gained height we encountered the overnight dumping of snow.
No shortage of water features
Looking back, still drizzly
Lynne making use of one the numerous stops to put her gaiters on the right legs. Parminder looking impressed
Martin always looking forward a suitable photo opportunity
Parminder planning where to plonk his feet
Looking quite pleased with himself
Pauline opting for the non technical approach
A sneaky peek at some higher scenery
As we gained height it wasn't long before we met the overnight dumping of snow and the obvious problem of navigation as the path was covered. So we got our heads together and using Nigel's map and the WH GPS route we came up with a plan of what direction we should head. The snow was very soft and as it was lying on very damp ground, was very slippy
Follow the leader
Pauline living the dream
Parminder striding out
After plodding uphill we then reached the twin lochans on a relatively flat area and this was time to stop for a bite to eat and then a bit of fun. Martin and Paul were challenged to try and get onto a wee island in one of the lochans, the next set of photo's are action shots
Martin & Paul heading out
Fun over
The rest of the gang decided that the crossing looked easy so everyone else took the plunge, not literally.
One pole Nigel
After the fun and games it was time to put another layer on and then the serious uphill climbing begins
Looking back down on the lochan
Going up
Almost like a black and white photo
First false summit
After re-grouping there is a bit of descending before the final push up to the real summit.
Nigel rushing to the summit
Mission accomplished Nigel
Brief view
Once we had taken our own photo's, Paul then produced his dinky little tripod for us to share
Technical stuff
The end result
Gill obviously enjoying my 'punishment'
Now onto the descent, as we reached the earlier cairn we met up with John & Lee who opted for a lie-in to maximise the weather forecast
They would catch us up on the lower slopes and join us all the way back to the car - great company
Nigel & Paul decided to head off downhill as Nigel was driving straight back home to Ayrshire, that makes it a really long day
Once we reached the lochan, the path downhill was obvious, to think about 2 hours earlier that had been covered in snow
Looking back uphill, snow very patchy
Paul & Nigel zoomed
Looking back
What a corrie
Zoomed, what a view
Looking back
Lynne religiously sticking to the path
The walk back along the flat track seemed to be so much quicker, possibly because it was dry and after 9 and a half hours we were back at the car park. At least 2 hours were spent enjoying the surroundings and not making any progress
I was hoping that I would reach the 250 landmark on An Teallach (Sgurr Fiona), but Slioch is a worthy substitute.
Another fantastic day in great company and sincere thanks to the rest of the gang for making Slioch such a memorable hill
Two more WR's to complete Moruisg and Fionn Beinn, hopefully over the next few days
The weekend was certainly a great help in my compleation quest, the weather will need to start behaving
Point of interest - the last time I wore my waterproof trousers before Thursday, the last WH meet at Torridon
