Sgurr na Sgine, good views & timing in Kintail before rain

[Petr Dakota]

My oldest daughter ( 27 ) with her son, my 7 years old grandson, visited us from the Czech Republic on the beginning of May for almost two weeks. We did some caravaning/camping near Loch Ness and enjoyed some trips around incl. Kintail & Isle of Skye. She also climbed Ben Nevis with me after our camping...
Visiting or driving through Kintail makes me always feel to come back there again...and again...and again

Here are some photos from our trip to Kintail in May:

Eilean Donan Castle

...and from Ben Nevis:

..............................................................................................

Recent trip - saturday 9.6.2018

My Route:

RK_gpx _2018-06-09_0649.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Saturday offered very good visibility for Kintail, but rain / heavy rain almost everywhere forecasted for early afternoon. Needed to be back early home anyway I decided to climb Sgurr na Sgine ( I did the neighbours before - The Saddle via Forcan Ridge in January 2016 in winter conditions and gale - report here: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=58922 and the South Glen Shiel Ridge in summer 2015 in a clag here: https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=53314 ).
Working on friday since very early morning, had busy afternoon and evening too, but wanted desperately climb a mountain on my day off. Saturday looked much better for visibility, but rain afternoon...sunday mostly dry, but visibility poor, it meant that I prepared all for saturday despite the fact that i have not time to sleep if want to be back early and finish the climb before the forecasted rain. Porridge made for my trip, packed some spare maps and routes for Plan B and C, I left home after refreshing shower without any sleep at 01:45 in the night. 4 hours driving time to Kintail which is usually longer because of my stops for some mornings shots and videos on the way and also planned stop for checking the weather forecast as fresh as possible before the junction for my trip options
Visibility great during the way, but heavy clouds and some mist welcoming me just before Kintail made me worried about the views...fortunately quickly changing scottish weather cleared in the right time
I decided to start my route by the usually descending side from Sgurr na Sgine. This idea gives me the better descending option by the less steep side which is usually ascending route to The Saddle in case that the rain come earlier and also option to add and repeat The Saddle if enough time and good weather. I stayed dry for almost all my walk, just after descended Sgurr na Sgine on the bealach before The Saddle some rain drops made me dillema if use raincover over my rucksack and take my waterproof jacket, but it stopped shortly so I was happy to not use it, but turned straight towards the descending path.
I enjoyed the climb, happy for the views. Got back to the car park met two couples just starting their hike and when changed my clothes and started the engine the rain started and become heavy in short time. Glad I got it in the really right time ! The rain stopped and started many times during my way home, sometimes showers, sometimes heavy...but then between Perth and Stirling the traffic was stopped on the road A9, really very heavy rain changed to hail showers ! The noise was incredible and visibility zero for a couple of mins., then the visibility got better at least allowed to move carefuly ( most of cars still staying in the one line ), the road looked like in winter - covered by white hailstones I managed to record part of it, but it was after the heavy "attack" in much better conditions. You can find it at the end of the video

The video movie:

Some Photos

My target getting clear in the morning

Looking back from the steepy ascent of Faochag

Sgurr na Sgine over the ridge from Faochag

The Saddle & Forcan Ridge

...and from lower level

Five Sisters

Heavy rain & hail stones - white on the Road !!!

[ere1]

Well done Petr. Breathtaking Views!

[Petr Dakota]

Well done Petr. Breathtaking Views!

Thank you Peter, hope you will get the good weather for your next trip with your daughter.
All the Best and greetings to the Netherlands !

[rockhopper]

That looked good - nice to be back down before the bad weather kicked in - early starts have their uses ! - cheers

[Petr Dakota]

That looked good - nice to be back down before the bad weather kicked in - early starts have their uses ! - cheers

Thank you rockhopper Sometimes the weather forecast is one of the good reasons for an early start or at least good excuse to use all the benefits of early starts: colder morning in summer = less midges and less sweat, colder in winter = freezy morning = harder ground in usually boggy places, more silence in the morning = stronger nature feelings & connection, catching the sunrise, empty car parks, no crowds on the slopes, summit for yourself...and still plenty of time for rest of the day because early start means earlier finish or the possibility of multi hills