One Pap and an escape to Paradise

[philiarana]

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On Tuesday morning it was raining, but the forecast was saying it should dry up by late morning. We didn't worry about starting too early, since the plan was to walk the Paps -a 9-10 hour walk, but we were to camp overnight.

damp start

We started in the light drizzle, but we thought the worst of the rain was over and it would soon dry up. Well, it didn't -not for a while anyway! The path was very boggy and we soon had soaking feet. Waterproofs were drenched.

I thought the cloud base was rising, but I think I was being optimistic.

Loch an t-Siob'

having fun.... really

As we started up the hill, the rain did stop, but it was still cloudy. Then the wind started up! There were very strong gusts -strong enough to push us over, which was a little scary as we were on steep ground.

Summit selfie after a rather harrowing ascent

We carried on going up till finally I could see the summit cairn. It was difficult to walk because of the wind. We checked the map and discovered we'd not come up the suggested route, however, because this was part of the Jura Fell Race, there were probably many ways of getting up.

clearing clouds revealed the suggested route up

giving some indication of the strong wind

As we stood at the top, the clouds started to clear and we got some views. It was surprisingly cold and the wind was making things difficult, so we discussed weather to continue with the original plan, which probably wouldn't be much fun, given the high winds and low clouds.

clouds revealing the other Paps

We decided to go down as if we were going for the next Pap and then reassess the situation. Going down was hard going because we were getting the full brunt of the wind. We went slowly, though and it got better lower down.

descending the gully to the bealach

at the bealach

Then Roddy made a suggestion to abandon the rest of the Paps and walk out to the coast, which looked dry and sunny. It was a good idea, because the Paps would have been cold, boggy and cloudy and 'nae fun'. A colleague had recommended that coast (at the mouth of Loch Tarbert), so I was glad to be able to go there, as I wasn't sure if we'd be able to fit it in. We could see a building on the coast, which marked at Glenbatrick and hoped it was a bothy although I was a bit skeptical.

walking out to better weather

the West coast and mouth of Loch Tarbert

Looking back at the 1st Pap Beinn Shiantaidh and Corra Bheinn now clear

It was quite rough terrain walking down the glen as there wasn't really a path so it took about 2 1/2 hours. We got to a house, which from a distance looked like a bothy, but it was an old hunting lodge.

Glenbatrick

We walked a little further round to the mouth of Loch Tarbert and found a perfect camping spot, just above a beach that we had all to ourselves.

our private beach paradise

We set up came and made dinner, while watching the waves and we caught sight of an otter going into the sea I saw it again in the morning and we saw it's footprints on the sand.

Otter footprints

We went for a walk around and admired the famous raised beaches which are all over Jura. These were formed when at the end of the last Ice Age, the ice melted, causing the land to rise, resulting in tiers of pebbly beaches above the current sandy beaches. There was a good breeze, so no midges.

Loch Tarbert and the raised beaches in the background

beach at sunset

On Wednesday morning, the wind had died and the midges were waiting. We sought refuge on higher ground where the breeze was picking up a little. had breakfast and packed up -thankfully by that time the breeze had chased most of the midges away! We decided to walk back to the car via the Evan's Path. It started off the way we had come, but went though the adjacent glen and was a proper path for most of the way and far less boggy than the other way. It was really sunny and the Paps were clear, but the was still a cool breeze.

It took us about 4 hours to get back, but were were taking our time and enjoying the scenery.

All three Paps visible

The Paps from Craighouse

[mrssanta]

That was lovely! we set off once up the paps with children but got as far as the lochan and had a picnic instead. They are tougher than you would think for their size.

[philiarana]

That was lovely! we set off once up the paps with children but got as far as the lochan and had a picnic instead. They are tougher than you would think for their size.

Thank you. Yes, looking at them on the 2nd day -when we could actually see them, they look impossible!