Booked a b&b in Lochinver two days before the walk and was informed that Suilven as seen from his lounge had a lot of snow so i would need ice axe and crampons for Ben More Assynt. WH could give him a job!
So i was looking forward to find most of the rough upper hillsides covered in smooth snow.
BUT 2 days of glorious weather probably melted 90% of the snow but there was still enough to make the hills look great and by flitting between patches of soft snow made the descent very easy on the knees.
Climbed Conival and Ben More Assynt by the usual route starting in Inchnadamph.
Biked in for 2 Km that probably saved about 30 minutes in total but more importtanly gave a pleasant free wheel descent at the end of a long day.
The path was very easy to follow and kept much closer to the river than i had expected.
The main path cuts through the rock band about 10 metres to the right of the Allt a'Choinne Mhill but there are some better scranbling options further to the right.
Canisp is in the centre of the shot with Suilven just visible on its right shoulder.
Cul Mor is further to to the left with Stac Pollaidh on its right shoulder.
The drop from Conival had an awkward bit initially due to the snow but it was easily bypassed slightly to the south.
So i carried crampons but never got them out the bag.
I had put these two hills off for a while thinking it would be a boring route but with a nice amount of snow, no wind and wall to wall sunshine - a great day out.
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.