Quinag August 2015

[Walk cycle]

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Yes, I know it is now May 2016 and i have only just 'finished' my report. It was a great day, and with such amazing views; it seems a shame not to share the images. Hope you enjoy the photographs of what was a superb day.

The conditions the day after Arkle couldn’t have been more different. The walk to Sandwood Bay was meant to be a rest day but it might have been better to stay near Lairg and give my heels a break. The problem is, it had taken so much preparation to get to Scotland I couldn’t possibly just sit and admire the view from the tent.

Monday evening at the campsite after my return from Arkle

So Sandwood Bay it was and the visibility was poor. I had a sandwich at the new cafe shed by the carpark. Last time I was here on the bike the car park was almost empty and now there was a snack bar, toilets and lots and lots of cars. Sandwood Bay had become a Sutherland must see, partly promoted by broadsheet travel reports. I reached the misty bay, had a snack and quickly returned to the car.

Sandwood Bay

Wednesday came and I was unsure what hill to tackle. My right heel looked like raw bacon and needed rest. Ben More Assynt and Foinaven were clearly out of the question. Instead I chose Quinag. Having lost my guide book I relied upon previous WH reports from my phone and set off.

From Highland Landforms - Robert J Price 1976 Highlands and Islands Development Board

I would ascend Spidean Coinich and then decide if I was to go any further on this complex mountain. It turned out that the day gave Arkle a run for its money.

The day was beautiful. Drove the A837 and the iconic Assynt mountains begin to peek out the closer I got to Ledmore. Suilven was clear – should I do that again? Ben More Assynt's summit was in cloud. Quinag stood out perfectly visible from the window as I passed Ardvreck Castle. I was thrilled by the weather conditions. Assynt, in this weather,was out of this world. Assynt has to be the most epic, other- worldly landscape that I have encountered.

Quinag from the car park

I parked up and chatted to a couple who I would meet periodically during the day. They walked ahead as I packed my rucksack and then I crossed the A894 to the start of the very clear path.

Quinag path

I had spotted a RAF jet very high above me on arrival. However the advancing jet from the north took me by surprise. It was so low I could clearly see the undercarriage. The noise was thunderous. I was suddenly on a low level flight path. I have never seen a plane so low.

Cairn marks the approach to Spidean Coinich

I ascended Spidean Coinich from where the path split. The climb was gradual and I enjoyed walking on the boulder fields. My progress was slow but the landscape began to open up to the south as I ascended.

Steady climb to Spidean Coinich

Loch Assynt just visible

North to Loch a' Chairn Bhain

Beinn Gharb, Canisp and Cul Mor

Loch Assynt

I thoroughly enjoyed this ascent as the views slowly expanded. You don't have to go too far if you want spectacular panoramas on Quinag.

Canisp, Cul Mor and Suilven

Outer Hebrides just visible

Sail Gharbh from the approach to Spidean Coinich

Suilven (clearer than last year!)

Loch Assynt

Waterworld

Looking down to the A837 and Loch Assynt trees

Outer Hebrides

Sail Gharbh

Suilven

Had lunch on the top of this first Corbett. I dropped down to Lohan Ruadh and then ascended the 714m peak. There is a clear path and its descent was one of the highlights of the day it required care but with such good conditions was a joy.

From Spidean Coinich - one of my favourite images from the day

Lochan Bealach Cornaidh

Stone and sea

Stunning Assynt

Towards Ben More Assynt and Conival

Glas Bheinn

Tumore Lodge visible on Loch Assynt

Lots of lochans

Cloud over Sail Gharbh

Cairn

Spidean Coinich cliff

North to Sutherland

Up

Down

Loch an Leothaid

Path to Sail Gharbh


Arkle from Bealach a Chornaidh

Suilven from Bealach a Chornaidh

Looking back up at this descent gives the impression of a very precipitous route but it was straightforward enough in these conditions.
Face in the sky

View from Sail Gharbh path

Like smoke from a chimney

Shadows of Spidean Coinich

I decided to leave Sail Ghorm with my feet increasingly sore and concentrate on Sail Gharb. Two men were working hard on making a new section of the path. I will have to let the images and captions do the rest of the work in this report. How do you write your reports - do you make notes on the way/ write them immediately on return?

Flattening out before the final climb to summit

Summit view

Coast


Sail Ghorm and the view north

Sail Gharbh trig point with apple core (not mine)

Arkle and Foinaven

South from the summit

Loch a' Chairn Bhain

Eddrachillis Bay

Cairn and trig point

Canisp

Kylesku bridge

Summit view

Harris hills


Ben Stack, Ankle and Foinavon

Epic Assynt

The return path


Glas Bheinn

Boulders

North from the return path

[Avocetboy]

Thoroughly enjoyed that report. We did the exact same two days previous in similar conditions and on Your day were sunning on the beach at Sandwood. Like the picture of the "down" path to the bealach off Spidean. Took me a bit by surprise as to how steep it was, but, as you say, posed no difficulties in good weather. We're back up there again in August and I need to return to Quinag to complete Sail Gorm

[colgregg]

There is a great posing platform between Gorm and Garbh, Perfect for a "wow look at me" pic.

[Walk cycle]

Thoroughly enjoyed that report. We did the exact same two days previous in similar conditions and on Your day were sunning on the beach at Sandwood. Like the picture of the "down" path to the bealach off Spidean. Took me a bit by surprise as to how steep it was, but, as you say, posed no difficulties in good weather. We're back up there again in August and I need to return to Quinag to complete Sail Gorm

Thanks - we did seem to cover very similar ground. I'm now writing my Ben Stack report!