The times, distance and ascent are just guesses. I didn't even bother summiting it. The day after doing Conival with Mountain Coward and Richard, should've been Ben More too but my cramp afflicted legs were siezing up and i regrettably elected to give the final stretch to the summit a miss.
So Stac Pollaidh was a gentle leg stretcher to try and loosen up my legs.
It was a relatively clear, calm day. Great i thought, until i stepped out of my car in the car park and the midgies welcomed me. I have to say i was quiite taken aback when i first saw it, it's a cracking looking hill.
I was surprised how good the path was, a bit overgrown which got me worried about ticks. Surprise surpise i had to remove one from my leg the following morning.
I took the right fork where the path splits, the midgie path apparently. It was fairly busy, i could see a guy heady for the rocky east face, and hoped that wasn't the path! Thankfully it wasn't.
There was no let up from the midgies as i climbed higher. I spotted a herd of deer down below so tried to stop and get some pics, but they bloodsuckers swarmed on me. This was the one (and only) pic i managed to get before i started inhaling midgies and ran away.
I continued up to the ridge, where i happily sat down, sipped coffee and took in the views. For a while at least, the midgies stayed away so i managed to grab a few snaps of the landscape.
I couldn't sit there all day, had the Old Man of Stoer to visit too, so after neglecting to climb to the easily accessible summit, i headed down round the west side. Bit breezier round this way so at least the midgies left me alone.
So aside from the aching legs, midgies and the fact i can't tick this Graham off my list(boo hoo, i'm so annoyed i'll have to revisit it.....) it was a good day.
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.