free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I had plans to continue my bagging crusade this weekend, and also to visit two hills that are high on my 'wanted' list and I really should have done years ago. I hatched a vague plan with Donald on Friday evening to do Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin the next day.
In the event, we made rather a late start, and Dave R and his brother Steve were also coming along. They had been out on the hills and cycling all week, and were looking for something a bit shorter. We agreed on Beinn Dearg quite easily - a hill I had been meaning to revisit for years. Less popular than the 3 Torridon classics (Beinn Eighe, Liathach, Beinn Alligin) but just as interesting and worthwhile. I had done a winter traverse in January 2003 and had always wanted to have a go at it in the summer, too.
We left the carpark at Coire Mhic Nobaill at about 11.30 to walk up to the eastern end of the hill. I had vague memories of having read
Richard's SHills report on a more scambly route, but I'd neglected to read it the previous night, so couldn't remember what route it took. Therefore we settled for an ascent to Carn na Feola and a complete E to W traverse. The weather was more overcast than we'd expected and the midges were torture at the carpark, but we were soon at the fork in the path, where we were to continue E. The bridge here is of interest to me, as it was designed and built by some of my predecessors from Dundee University civil engineering department.
Ben Alligin from Coire Mhic Nobaill:
Today's destination - Beinn Dearg:
Skirting around the base of Beinn Dearg:
Looking up at the scrambly pinnacle on the E ridge of Beinn Dearg:
There are a number of lines that can be taken to reach Carn na Feola. We took a rising traverse eastwards to reach the ridge just west of the summit. Despite their desire for an easy day, Dave and Steve powered off ahead on the ascent. The going was steep and pathless, mainly heathery with the occasional outcrop to avoid.
Liathach from the ascent of Carn na Feola:
Looking across to the main summit of Beinn Dearg from Carn na Feola:
On Carn na Feola, we stopped for a break. The midges were lurking, but a slight breeze kept them at bay for long enough for lunch. Views were as great as you would expect in Torridon, but slightly marred by the flat light produced by the thin layer of white cloud which was over us. Sunnier patches could be seen over Fisherfield and the Fannaichs.
Meall Dearg, the awkward NW top of Liathach was visible from here, something I have been looking at for some time now. A possible alternative round of Liathach around Coire Na Caime looked interesting from this vantage point. Possibly some awkward scrambling involved, but something Dave and I will be looking into in the future.
East end of Liathach:
Stuc Loch na Cabhaig, Lochan na Bealaich and Baosbheinn:
Liathach and the Am Fasarinan pinnacles:
Onward to the west, and there was a short descent before getting to the main body of the hill. We crossed a small area of rock pavement, then ascended grassier slopes to face the narrow pinnacle-like section of ridge leading to the summit. This section interested me, as I had had a bit of fun descending it in the snow previously. I wanted to see what it looked like stripped to the rock.
Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin:
Beinn a Chearcaill with Fisherfield behind:
Baosbheinn, Loch na h-Oidhche and Beinn an Eoin:
Looking W to the summit and Loch a' Choire Mhoir:
Donald, Dave and Steve head for the scrambly section:
A bypass path headed to the left, but we weren't interested in this. Unless the direct route is really difficult, I usually find these routes to be looser and more unpleasant than the direct route. Dave confirmed this to be the case, as he had used the bypass previously.
The scramble was very straightforward in dry conditions, the first section being a small chimney, and the second being a buttress with a crack up the centre. Plenty of holds, and doesn't feel as steep as it looks.
Up we go:
Liathach again:
More of a short section of arete than a pinnacle really, but there was a slight descent before the final uphill to the summit.
Approaching the final ascent:
Looking back to the pinnacle:
East to Carn na Feola and Beinn Eighe:
Our pinnacle and Liathach:
The summit is quite spacious and grassy, but the midges were ready to pounce so we didn't stop. Views opened up to Beinn Alligin to the west. At this point , Dave realised that he had never actually got to the summit of Tom na Gruagaich on Beinn Alligin, so after todays walk, he had a tally of minus one Munros! Having done just about every other hill in the NW, this was a bit of an omission for him. Had he realised beforehand, we probably would have done Beinn Alligin instead!
I vaguely remember some routes directly off the main summit, but we decided that the best route would be the full traverse, so carried on towards Stuc Loch na Cabhaig. Some interesting rock formations on the descent.
Dave bags a subsubsubsubsubmarilyn:
Horns of Alligin and Sgurr Mhor:
Looking out towards Loch Ewe, Baosbheinn on right:
Wild country to the N of Beinn Alligin:
Beinn Damh, Loch Torridon:
Beinn Alligin again. Horns much clearer:
Descent from Stuc Loch na Cabhaig was steep and loose, but we were down at Allt a Bhealaich before long. Here we picked up the Horns of Alligin ascent route and followed it back to the bridge over the Allt Coire Mhic Nobuil.
Liathach from descent to Coire Mhic Nobaill:
Beinn Eighe and Liathach:
Back at the car, and it was a bit of a rush to escape from the midges again. A slightly frantic end to a good day out.
