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A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 5:54 pm
by Donald Beaton
With the great forecast for the weekend I thought I'd better try to get out with my tent and do a bit of wild camping. It took ages to decide on where to go but I finally decided on Beinn an Eoin and Baosbheinn camping on the summit of Baosbheinn.

Left Inverness at 8 on the Sunday morning for the drive over to Loch Maree. I was parked at the red(green) hut and ready to go for 9:30. It was quite chilly but a really stunning morning - no cloud at all!

Made good progress up the track through the newly planted Scots Pine wood - it'll look really nice in a few years.

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Hazy Slioch


A bit further along the track I caught my first view of Baosbheinn - it looked very impressive!

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Baosbheinn


The track winds all over the place going up and down as well as following the river for a bit. I reached the end of the new plantation and followed the track onto a flatter bit just before the loch. There were brilliant views from here.

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Baosbheinn


I soon headed towards the NW face of the Beinn an Eoin ridge and found my way up onto the ridge proper. I found a nice cairn - don't know what it was for but it was a nice one.

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Slioch

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Continued walking along the ridge and after a steep ascent you reach the summit to incredible views.

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Beinn Eighe

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Baosbheinn from Beinn an Eoin


Had a quick lunch on the summit then headed a bit further along the ridge with some good scrambling opportunities then headed straight down the very steep slope. Had to weave in and out of crags so I don't think I descended at the right point.
Finally reached the private bothy where it was warm and still and had a seat on the bench.

After a nice rest headed west through the small lochans and started the climb up to the ridge of Baosbheinn. There were fantastic views back to the Torridon munros.

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Beinn Eighe and Beinn Dearg


I continued along the ridge going up and down steeply twice - I was beginning to tire carrying my pack so couldn't wait to get to the summit then find somewhere to camp.
I reached the summit at about 4:30 and discovered to my delight that it would be perfect for a summit camp. I put my tent up quickly then set out on a mission of taking photos of everything.

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Beinn Alligin

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Private campsite


I cooked a quick meal then took a few more photos of the sun setting over Skye's Trotternish Ridge.

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Sunset

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Skye Cuillin


Climbed into my tent at about 8 and tried and failed to get to sleep. It was getting colder and colder and I got a pretty bad sleep waking up on numerous occasions.

After waking up for what seemed like the 20th time the sky was getting lighter and I climbed out the tent into the freezing cold wind. There was a nice layer of ice on the tent which showed how cold it was. The sun wasn't far from coming up.

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The sun came over the horizon casting a beautiful light over everything.

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Beinn Alligin and Skye

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Slioch and Fisherfield munros


I had a good breakfast then packed up everything and left the summit by 9:30. I headed down a ridge to the north-east then dropped down into An Reidh Choire following a stream down to to the river.

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Baosbheinn


I felt surprisingly fresh marching back along the track and it past in no time at all. Walking through the plantation was nice again and I got a good view of Slioch.

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Slioch


Continued on my way and reached the car park at 12:30. It was once agin nice and warm so I had a nice seat before leaving.

This has been my favourite walk so far with amazing views and it was pretty quiet. It was maybe just a bit cold for sleeping!

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:00 pm
by kinley
8) 8) 8) 8) 8)

Belter! :D

What a great pitch - who needs sleep :lol:

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 6:06 pm
by malky_c
Mmmmm...damn campers and their amazing sunset/sunrises!

Hope to do these two before the year is out, as they look to be great hills.

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 8:16 pm
by rockhopper
Stunning............I've walked all over that area during holidays in the late 70s/early 80s and mountain biked last year but never had views or pictures like these - great report :!: :thumbup:

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:15 pm
by Donald Beaton
Thanks guys

Thats becoming my favourite area - the views are stunning.

Yeah Kinley - the views make lack of sleep well worth it!

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Wed Sep 29, 2010 9:50 pm
by BethAtTheHug
Cracking photos, especially like the sunsets. High camps in good weather are just magic!

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 5:58 pm
by gaffr
Very nice images from one of my favourite areas.....but should not the image IMG4694 Baosbheinn seen from Beinn an Eoin?

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:39 pm
by Donald Beaton
Thats it fixed now gaffr - thanks.

Don't know what happened with that.

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:40 pm
by Merry-walker
BEAUTIFUL PICTURES :clap:

looks like one a fab trip :thumbup:

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:46 pm
by Barnety2000
Amazing photos and looks like a fantastic spot for a wile camp! :D I have done plenty of wild camping but never that far north...this has really spurred me on to do that someday, though maybe next year as the winter will soon be upon us... :lol:

Thanks for this :D

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 7:58 pm
by LeithySuburbs
Great report with some great pictures :D . Can't wait to get back up to Torridon.

I'm far too soft for summit camps - too chilly for me even in summer :? .

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 11:07 pm
by Alastair S
Like Leithy I'm too soft for wild camping but all these stunning sunsets/sunrises are sorely tempting. Maybe next year... :D

Re: A Torridon summit camp

PostPosted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:41 am
by mountainstar
Wow, some cracking pictures and the visibility was perfect.