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Munros: Slioch.
Date: 01/10/2016.
Distance: 18.5km.
Ascent: 1220m.
Time: 7 hours, 30 minutes.
Weather: Sunny, calm clear.
An easy report to write this - just a great Autumn day out on a hill that I've neglected for too long. I was last up Slioch in 2001 - quite pathetic considering how accessible it is for me. But I had long harboured a notion of going up it again in perfect weather, and the forecast finally looked right. Gregor also joined me.
We left Inverness just after 9, and were setting off an hour later from the car park in Incheril, the walk-in to Loch Maree offering plenty of time to enjoy the colours and scenery before having to start the ascent.
Eastern end of Beinn Eighe
Loch Maree:
Slioch and Sgurr Dubh:
Abhainn an Fhasaigh:
After crossing the bridge over the Abhainn Fhasaigh, it was a right turn onto boggier ground, and the gradual climb up towards Coire na Sleaghaich, which was quite sweaty in the sunshine. I had decided we should include Sgurr Dubh instead of following the path up into the corrie, as there would be better views of Loch Maree. Steep heather had us on top before long - well worth it.
Heading up Sgurr Dubh:
Fannaichs and an interesting lump of moraine:
Trousers on today for some reason:
Slioch from Sgurr Dubh:
A stroll over the intervening bumps took us to the last steep ascent before the summit.
Lochan on the ridge:
Western Isles visible beyond Torridon:
Fantastic views over Loch Maree and Fisherfield from the top. I thought it had been a little on the hazy side, but Lewis down to North Uist were clearly visible on the horizon. Sadly a cloud moved in over the sun for our summit lunch stop, so it was actually quite chilly. Perhaps it was good I had put trousers on as we were in no hurry to leave.
Loch Maree:
Loch Garbhaig and A’ Mhaighean:
Beinn Lair and A’ Mhaighean:
An Teallach:
Loch a’ Bhraoin and Beinn Dearg:
South and North Harris – Beinn Dubh and Clisham:
Eventually we did leave, heading towards Sgurr an Tuill Bhain. We caught up a group of 4 on top then dropped back into Coire na Sleaghaich. Perhaps we should have kept further east here to see right down into Gleann Bianasdail, but our more direct route was OK. I suggested a continuation over Beinn a' Mhuinnidh to Gregor, but he was happy enough with just Slioch. So was I to be honest - it was nice to keep things simple.
An Teallach across Lochan Fada:
Beinn Tarsuinn and Mullach Coire Mhic Fharchair:
Slioch and Beinn Airigh Charr from Sgurr an Tuill Bhain:
East from Sgurr an Tuill Bhain:
Coire na Sleaghaich:
The walk-out seemed to take longer than the walk-in, but with the sun still out, it was pleasantly enjoyable.
Beinn a’ Mhunnidh:
Abhainn an Fhasaigh:
Back to Slioch:
Beinn a’ Mhunnidh:
Beinn a’ Mhunnidh waterfall:
All that was required to end a successful day was a pint or two, so we called into the Kinlochewe Hotel, where they had a pretty good selection of beer on tap. I would like to have stayed there longer, but driving home meant limiting myself to one pint. It was easy enough to carry on the drinking theme back in the Castle Tavern in Inverness though, which is what we did.
