The Next Best Thing

[johnkaysleftleg]

The final day of our Westhighlands holiday was due to be fine and I had planned on Ben Alligin as a outing for the day. Unfortunately Grace had gone over on her ankle a bit on the way down from An Teallach and as it was still giving her trouble we thought it best for her to not head out onto rough mountain terrain. In the end Grace stayed with Grandma (see there are positives about the mother in law accompanying you on holiday ) and Nicola, Hughie and myself headed out. Grace had forbade us to climb a Munro or even a Corbett without her so I looked for the next best thing which was a walk up to Coire Mhic Fhearchair. There is no need whatsoever to bore you with route descriptions, the Walk highlands description is perfectly fne for what is a straightforward walk into admittedly remote terrain.

Clound plumes off Liathach by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Mono Moods by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Sun coming out by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Screes of Beinn Eighe by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Reflected on High by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was certainly a fine day to be out amongst the mountains, even if we weren't visiting a summit and the chance to see into the wild country behind Glenn Torridon was a treat. By the time we made it to the coire the wind had picked up enough for the waterfall to be briefly blown back up hill and it was certainly a touch nippy as we searched for a sheltered spot to have lunch in the magnificent surroundings.

Beinn Dearg by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Dramatic appearance of Liathach's peaks by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Liathach, Beinn Alligin and Beinn Dearg by Anthony Young, on Flickr (click on pic for big version)

Hughie by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin by Anthony Young, on Flickr

The crags of Sail Mhor byAnthony Young, on Flickr

Ruadh-stac Mor by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Coire Mhic Fhearchair by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Close up of the triple buttress by Anthony Young, on Flickr


Coire Mhic Fhearchair by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hughie exploring by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Tasty by Anthony Young, on Flickr


More of Sail Mhor's crags by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was admittedly frustrating looking at the scree up to the col knowing munros lay so close, it looked really quite easy although I'm sure I might have thought differently had we been slogging upwards on it. As it was cold we didn't linger as long as we might have otherwise and re-traced our steps back to the car.

Looking out over Wester Ross by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Beinn a'Chearcaill by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking into the heart of Wester Ross by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Hole in the Sky by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Sgurr Dubh by Anthony Young, on Flickr

Looking back to the slopes of Beinn Eighe by Anthony Young, on Flickr

It was great to return to the West Highlands after a good few years, with so many great mountains and none of the over crowding that Skye is currently suffering I can't believe it will take us another eight years to return.

[Sgurr]

I did this as part of long ago holidays when we and a widower friend used to take it in turns to have a solo day off or
mind the 4 kids. I was too scared to climb a mountain by myself, but they pointed me up a path and told me I couldn't get lost, and I had a great day. Took me another 25 years to pluck up the courage to do a solo peak. We have been back since, but as part of a longer walk. Very well worth doing on its own, and I think more interesting than the Beinn Eighe Nature Trail which you probably thought of as an alternative.

Some lovely pics.

[Mal Grey]

Who cares about missing the summit when you have those views! Excellent photos, as always.

[Alteknacker]

This must be one of the best low level walks going: a fantastic route up to an even more fantastic coire. Did this with my son last May bank holiday, and we were blown away (almost literally actually, as well as metaphorically!).

The usual brilliant pics, that look especially good on a big screen .

[johnkaysleftleg]

I did this as part of long ago holidays when we and a widower friend used to take it in turns to have a solo day off or
mind the 4 kids. I was too scared to climb a mountain by myself, but they pointed me up a path and told me I couldn't get lost, and I had a great day. Took me another 25 years to pluck up the courage to do a solo peak. We have been back since, but as part of a longer walk. Very well worth doing on its own, and I think more interesting than the Beinn Eighe Nature Trail which you probably thought of as an alternative.

Some lovely pics.

Thank you, we did the nature trail the last time we were here on a red hot day and ran out of water on the way down . I would agree this is possibly a better walk with a very impressive final objective.

Who cares about missing the summit when you have those views! Excellent photos, as always.

Agreed, the summits are going nowhere.

This must be one of the best low level walks going: a fantastic route up to an even more fantastic coire. Did this with my son last May bank holiday, and we were blown away (almost literally actually, as well as metaphorically!).

The usual brilliant pics, that look especially good on a big screen .

Cheers Alte, it must attract the wind as there was at least a 10-15mph increase in wind speed over the final little pull up. As you say great scenery throughout.