Awesome Alligin

[ridgerunner]

Having climbed this circuit 20 years ago in the cloud it was time to do it on a good day.
Sunday looked perfect and i was keen to do it before the midges arrived as on the previous trip i had to sprint from the carpark to escape them [leaving my poles in the boot]
Most people seem to do this mountain clockwise but i repeated it anti-clockwise.
This gives a very easy walk up Corrie Mhic Nobaill with constantly changing views of Beinn Alligin .

First view once out the lower woods of Sgurr Mhor and the horns

Looking back to start

looking at the ascent to An t sail bheg

I was surprised i could not see a path up to the horns but it has been crafted so beautifully into the rock terraces that it really blends in and is a joy to ascend with some scrambling if wished.

Looking across to Tom Na Gruagaich on left

Bypass path

I was surprised to see that this bypass was much more obvious than upward path.
Much enjoyable scrambling followded.

Downclimb with beinn Damh centre across Loch Torridon

close up of one of the tors

looking back at downclimb

Upclimb up the centre.

Its not just loose pebbles to worry about , this male Ptarmigan was not for moving. I thought i had the yellowish female in the photo but can't see her.

Ptarmigan

looking back along the horns with Liathach to the right

From Sgurr Mhor with TnaG behind. Skye far distance

Looking back at the horns with Beinn Dearg running parallel behind

Sgurr Mhor, the horns, Beinn Dearg

Rather than coming down the middle of Coir nan Laogh i came down the rim to the south side [Na Fasreidhnean].
This gave good views over Loch Torridon and was a natural path with no erosion. So although it was steep it felt secure.

Came down the sunlit diagonal from top left to centre

As there is very little to see from the carpark i drove over to the Torridon Hotel where you get great views of the mountain.

The Horns are behind the tree.

Fantastic day out.

[onsen]

Stunning scenery....

[Nigels3011]

Nice. Brought back memories - it was my last Munro.