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Part 2 - Flying Without WingsFriday 6th July – Quinag15.77km
1264m ascent
7 hours
We woke up on Friday morning and I managed to persuade Malcy that he wanted to come up Quinag with me, seeing as the weather was still good. To be honest he didn’t take much persuading
We drove up the road and set off up the good path before turning right to head up Spidean Coinich
There were bits and pieces of path in between the rocks but it was easy enough walking anyway
As we gained height we were able to see down towards Loch Assynt with Suilven and Canisp behind
The rock on Quinag was awesome – almost looked like brick walls
It didn’t take long to climb to the top of our first summit – Spidean Coinich, and this gave us a view of the rest of the ridge
Loch Assynt and Conival
Canisp and Suilven
Jaxter on Spidean Coinich
Continuing along the ridge we dropped steeply down to the bealach - looking back it looked really impressive
The ridge traverse was really enjoyable and the sun even started to come out as we reached the middle of the ridge and looked back
We were able to see down to the Kylesku bridge – this seemed to be a nice spot so we sat down and chilled out in the sun for a while.
Looking back from our lunch spot
Looking down to Lochs Glendhu and Glencoul
Carrying on we made it to our second summit of Sail Ghorm which gave us awesome views out to sea…
And an impressive panorama out to Foinaven and the far North
We met up with a guy who recognised me from Beinn Stacath several months ago
Clearly he had a much better memory for faces than I did
We sat around for ages here – the weather was lovely, the views amazing and even the company wasn’t too bad
It hadn’t really been a very arduous walk so far – these have to be three of the easiest Corbetts, although I reckon three of the best
Eventually we figured we ought to get moving….
We followed the ridge back towards the mid point – this gave us a great view out to Conival…
It was an easy climb to our final summit of Sail Gharbh. I made a bit of a mission of climbing onto the trig point
After a bit more hanging around, we realised we had run out of food so might as well head back down
We picked up the wee path which led us onto the main route down.
Looking up to the impressive Spidean Coinich
It was an easy walk out back to the cars after a very chilled out but awesome day
Malcy realised he really did need to go home but I headed for an excellent coastal camp spot where I enjoyed a wonderful sunset and a good book
Saturday 7th July – Conival & Ben More Assynt19.94km
1271m ascent
8 hours 5 mins
I got going the next morning, got spot checked by the police (I guess Lochinver gets pretty wild on a Friday night
) and headed around the road to Inchnadamph where I was on my way up the path. It was very muggy and the lack of breeze meant that the bugs were out
Conival ahead
It was an easy walk and the path was largely good. The path started climbing more steeply alongside the Allt a’ Choinne’ Mhill – fortunately the gain in height brought with it a little bit of a breeze
The views back the way were also pretty awesome
The climb ahead – I was assuming there was a way through those crags
It turned out it was easy to get through the crags and I was on the ridge!
Now on the ridge I climbed towards Conival – and the ridge towards Ben More Assynt was becoming visible
Na Tuadhan – this looked awesome and I was thinking about going there until my knee starting niggling
As I climbed higher I could see all the way down Loch Assynt to Quinag
It was a great walk along the top of Conival to make it to the summit
Loch Stack and Meallan Liath Coire Mhic Dhughail
Quinag
This ridge from Ben More looks just awesome – I’d already worked out my next trip here! I was actually tempted to go that way on the day and back over Breabag…
My next trip
The ridge up Conival from Braebag
Heading across to Ben More Assynt
It was good fun but not fast going underfoot as I made my way along – probably a good thing because it was ridiculously warm
Quinag and Glas Bheinn
Looking back to Conival
Approaching the summit of Ben More Assynt the ridge towards Glen Oykel still looked awesome, and oh so attractive
Reaching the summit I found myself a nice spot and settled down to chill out for a while, and play with the big lens. I was on holiday afterall
Foinaven
Quinag
Ben More Coigach, Cul Beag and Cul Mor
Cul Mor
An Teallach
Ben Klibreck
Ben Hope
Ben Loyal
Ben Stack
Na Tuadhan and Quinag
Ben Stack to Ben Hope
Loch Shin and Ben Klibreck
Ben More Assynt summit pose
If anything it was even hotter now, and I sat around for ages. Eventually I reckoned it was time to get going….back along the ridge
Breabag – a mountain for another time
Canisp and Ben More Coigach
Ben More Assynt and ridges
Loch Assynt and Quinag
Dropping down from Conival I took another opportunity to look back
Sutherland
Enjoying the view
It was even hotter down in the glen
I had to keep moving to escape the clegs
Quick shot back…
Quinag
The last bit of walk along the track was hot and tiring and I was very relieved to be back at the car! A great day out – good hills but totally overshadowed by the other amazing Assynt hills
I found myself a camp spot for the evening and settled down to chill out
Part 4 - If Carlsberg Did Birthday's...
