Walkhighlands

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

Well done Martin first up with a weekend report, congratulations on hitting the 250 mark not long to go now!

Looks like it was even wetter for you guys!! We were up there on Sunday and it was fairly soggy then I've spent all day writing walk reports too...4 days is quite of lot to write!

Great stuff! I wondered how your group did on that steep slope. It was quite snowy as for April, and soggy, too. Fuar Tholl was just as white higher up and our group also had fun crossing the river.

Now I've tasted the WH meet climate and I can't wait for more

Cracking choice of hill for the meet up. Shame the weather didn't join the occasion, but despite that it looks like you all had a fab time!

Excellent

Well done Martin. You'll need to return on a clear day and do the walk round the ridge, with views to Fisherfield. Well worth it.

Tomsie and I were on our little Graham looking back across to Slioch and wondering how you were all getting on. If I get round to it I might even post a report or two myself from this meet.

Well done on the 250 Martin, didn't loke too nice from our hill and that was boggy. An Teallach definitely one for a ckear day

Nice one Martin - and appropriate you should get the write-up to celebrate your 250.

In the car on the way there I thought "this is going to be a three line, three photo report":

It was raining when we started (puddles on track);
We saw sod all at the top (cairn in clag)
It was still raining when we got down (even bigger puddles on the return).

Instead, it was Slioch: Carpe Diem.

We seized the day and were richly rewarded for it in the end - thanks to all for making it a great day.

OD

Didn't realize how witty Mr Fife Flyer could be

Awesome report, really enjoyed that. Had me smiling lots

Brilliant photos that really capture the steepness in parts, and all the fun we had.

A fantastic day in the hills...looking forward to more of the same with the senior crew

You are my heroes!

Well done for reaching 250 !! Cracking report with some really enjoyable photos! Enjoyed reading it

Great report Martin. All that snow was gone except from around the summit the next day.

Well done Pathfinder general on your funny (ha ha not weird- although it could have either way!) report.

A truly memorable day out on a massive big mountain but soooo much fun.


One thing's for sure Martin you won't forget your 250th munro!

Hope to see you on a hill very very soon.

PS It should have been me!!!!!

Nice one Martin, it looks like you all had some good fun up there and a great mountain to be your 250th, shame about the clag tho', it's well worth doing again on a nice day.
See you this year, hopefully.

Only just catching up with the reports,,,fab job Mr B,,really enjoyed reading that,,plenty to smile about thinking back to a fab day,,and yes,,I THOROUGHLY enjoyed your summit punishment lol