Knoydart
Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:34 amHad been waiting a while for a weather window to grab these hills, so with the promise of a few good days I was quick on the phone to the gaffer to book some holidays.
Getting the green light, I began packing and organising the travel arrangements (2 ferries).
My father only had Meall Buidhe and Luinne Bheinn to climb over there to complete that area so he eagerly jumped at the invitation and joined me on the trip.
Finishing work slightly early on the Wednesday we caught the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig and then a ferry from Mallaig into Inverie, arriving around 3pm.
Setting of around 3.15pm we had hoped to climb Beinn Bhuidhe and have our camp set up by around 7pm, this was to prove slightly ambitious as the heat, route choices and flying ants were to slow us up, and the 15kg on our backs!!
We eventually arrived at the top around 7pm.
Realising we would not be camped by 7pm, we had to try and hoof it and beat the dark to set up camp below Meall Buidhe.
We never made it, setting up camp at 9pm - darkness was apon us, so after getting the tents set up it was a quick bowl of super noodles and a cup of tea in our tents as some light rain passed over.
Lights out around 10pm the thoughts turned to the next day, forecast was for it to be hot so we knew it was going to be a tough one, which it proved to be.
Next morning the tents get packed up, and the forecasters for once get it spot on.
Photos are not the best quality as i only took my phone to try and save on weight......hmmm regret that a wee bit.
Never took long to get to the top of Meall Buidhe where we were rewarded by some stunning views.
the top
paw on the top
The plan for the day was for myself to carry on up Luinne Bheinn and Ladhar Bheinn where I would set up camp for the night and my father to complete Luinne Bheinn and then head back to Inverie.
With the day quickly heating up I knew this was going to be a struggle, the other problem being water, after leaving the bottom of Meall Bhuidhe there was not a lot of chances to get any, luckily we found a small spring.
Looking over to the task ahead for the day, I was filled with dread and excitement.
After scaling Luinne Bheinn, my Dad had completed the Munros in the Knoydart area, he was a very happy man
I was to leave Dad at the top to savour the moment so I could head for Ladhar Bheinn, this was to prove my most difficult walk to date, between the heat, weary legs and lack of water, it was walk for 15 mins rest for 5 on the ascent, but by god I was going to make it, camping on top of Ladhar Bheinn had been a boy hood ambition as I see this mountain every day, so it was not going to get away from me.
Eventually making it to the top and hitting Munro no3 for the day, I set up camp just below the main ridge on the n.east side, a nice evening meal was prepared to be washed down with a wee vodka and irn bru and then a short walk back on to the ridge to watch what I had near killed myself for..the sun setting...god it was a good feeling, so much better knowing(and feeling) the effort it took to be there.
The top
sunset
It was early to bed to get up at sunrise the next morning and catch the 11am ferry from Inverie.
Getting up around 5:30am it was worth the early alarm call, again stunning views in a stunning area of our country.
Walking back to Inverie that morning I was a very happy bunny, i'm sure I never stopped smiling for a week!
Sunrise..
Eventually I had to drag myself away, with a ferry to catch and the old man to meet up with, I said my goodbye's knowing I would return one day.
An easy descent and a good track back to Inverie, I arrived there about 9am where I grabbed a bacon butty from the cafe and where I met my Dad.
It was a stunning morning and a memorable 3 days....I thank you Knoydart
the way down
Inverie bay
Getting the green light, I began packing and organising the travel arrangements (2 ferries).
My father only had Meall Buidhe and Luinne Bheinn to climb over there to complete that area so he eagerly jumped at the invitation and joined me on the trip.
Finishing work slightly early on the Wednesday we caught the ferry from Armadale to Mallaig and then a ferry from Mallaig into Inverie, arriving around 3pm.
Setting of around 3.15pm we had hoped to climb Beinn Bhuidhe and have our camp set up by around 7pm, this was to prove slightly ambitious as the heat, route choices and flying ants were to slow us up, and the 15kg on our backs!!
We eventually arrived at the top around 7pm.
Realising we would not be camped by 7pm, we had to try and hoof it and beat the dark to set up camp below Meall Buidhe.
We never made it, setting up camp at 9pm - darkness was apon us, so after getting the tents set up it was a quick bowl of super noodles and a cup of tea in our tents as some light rain passed over.
Lights out around 10pm the thoughts turned to the next day, forecast was for it to be hot so we knew it was going to be a tough one, which it proved to be.
Next morning the tents get packed up, and the forecasters for once get it spot on.
Photos are not the best quality as i only took my phone to try and save on weight......hmmm regret that a wee bit.
Never took long to get to the top of Meall Buidhe where we were rewarded by some stunning views.
the top
paw on the top
The plan for the day was for myself to carry on up Luinne Bheinn and Ladhar Bheinn where I would set up camp for the night and my father to complete Luinne Bheinn and then head back to Inverie.
With the day quickly heating up I knew this was going to be a struggle, the other problem being water, after leaving the bottom of Meall Bhuidhe there was not a lot of chances to get any, luckily we found a small spring.
Looking over to the task ahead for the day, I was filled with dread and excitement.
After scaling Luinne Bheinn, my Dad had completed the Munros in the Knoydart area, he was a very happy man
I was to leave Dad at the top to savour the moment so I could head for Ladhar Bheinn, this was to prove my most difficult walk to date, between the heat, weary legs and lack of water, it was walk for 15 mins rest for 5 on the ascent, but by god I was going to make it, camping on top of Ladhar Bheinn had been a boy hood ambition as I see this mountain every day, so it was not going to get away from me.
Eventually making it to the top and hitting Munro no3 for the day, I set up camp just below the main ridge on the n.east side, a nice evening meal was prepared to be washed down with a wee vodka and irn bru and then a short walk back on to the ridge to watch what I had near killed myself for..the sun setting...god it was a good feeling, so much better knowing(and feeling) the effort it took to be there.
The top
sunset
It was early to bed to get up at sunrise the next morning and catch the 11am ferry from Inverie.
Getting up around 5:30am it was worth the early alarm call, again stunning views in a stunning area of our country.
Walking back to Inverie that morning I was a very happy bunny, i'm sure I never stopped smiling for a week!
Sunrise..
Eventually I had to drag myself away, with a ferry to catch and the old man to meet up with, I said my goodbye's knowing I would return one day.
An easy descent and a good track back to Inverie, I arrived there about 9am where I grabbed a bacon butty from the cafe and where I met my Dad.
It was a stunning morning and a memorable 3 days....I thank you Knoydart
the way down
Inverie bay
