Beinn Bhan Applecros

[Cairngorm creeper]

Winter had arrived, snow across the Highlands was lying to lower levels but not yet consolidated on the munros, so we decide to head for Loch Kishorn and enjoy the Corbett Beinn Bhan. We parked by the bridge over the river Kishorn and followed a straight there and back route, trying to avoid boggy and undulating ground which would almost inevitably result in wet feet. The weather was surprisingly mild with no snow at sea level as we set out from the carpark at 8:40 for the initial walk up the road.

The route

The Ocean Great White Oil Rig was an impressive site moored in the dry docks at Kishorn, it is the world’s largest semi-submersible offshore drilling rig, and the first Oil Rig to be serviced in the docks for nearly 40 years.
We continued up the road until we were just past the turning for the docks and then headed up the right hand side of the stream to access the initally broad ridge leading to Beinn Bhan. There were traces of a rough and somewhat boggy path which improved with height. The first patches of snow appeared at about 200m, patches gradually becoming larger until the path was hidden.

Loch Kishorn with the oil rig in the dock and Skye in the distance.

The broad ridge was strewn with boulders and craglets. It gradually ascended via numerous small dips with no obvious line to follow, just a matter of onwards and upwards which ever way looked easiest. The soft snow was lying on top of heather, but we didn't encounter any deep holes or drifts.

Onwards and upwards

To our left we could see Coire a' Chaorainn

Corrie a' Chaorachain

and to our right we could see across to Torridon

Beinn Alligin

Torridon

Behind us was Loch Kishorn

Loch Kishorn.

There was a short descent to the rim of Coire na' Feola with its sheer craggy wall

Ridge on the wall of Coire na' Feola

The incline leading down to Coire nan Aire was less sheer, but steep enough that a slip in the snow would could be unpleasant. But sandstone crags on the steep ridge ahead were purely awesome . We spent some time trying to identify the easy climbing /scramble up A'Chioch, hoping to return one long summers day to try it.

Sanstone crags of Beinn Bhan

The snow was still soft on the steep ridge leading up to the summit plateau.

Making our way up the steep slopes

Summit Plateau

Which was impressive in itself
The weather was perfect to boil up snow for leisurely summit brew, enjoying the general ambience and the views.

Summit Brew

Summit View across Loch Kishorn

Summit View Across Torridon

Summit Pose

But eventually we needed to make our way back.

Hard to tear once self away

Top of the steep descent

Coming down

Enjoying the rock scenery en route

Impressive rock scenery

and watching the moon rise over Torridon

Moon rising Torridon

reaching the van at 16:30. A day that makes you realise why you do it! 😊

[larry groo]

Fantastic stuff!

Heading up there in April... hope we get views and weather like that!

[Cairngorm creeper]

Fantastic stuff!

Heading up there in April... hope we get views and weather like that!

I will keep my fingers crossed for you, wonderful place

[Alteknacker]

Just superb. "A day that makes you realise why you do it! 😊" Exactly!!

[Graeme D]

Can't quite recall the last time I saw a TR on here with a shot taken from the start of the descent off the summit and there's an oil rig clearly visible in the background! Very nice and timely report too - I had just been reading up on this one and its near neighbour as potential targets for my visit to that neck of the woods at the end of March.

[Cairngorm creeper]

Just superb. "A day that makes you realise why you do it! 😊" Exactly!!

It was superb, can't think of anything about it that wasn't near perfection

Can't quite recall the last time I saw a TR on here with a shot taken from the start of the descent off the summit and there's an oil rig clearly visible in the background! Very nice and timely report too - I had just been reading up on this one and its near neighbour as potential targets for my visit to that neck of the woods at the end of March.

That oil rig rather dominates the Loch, but somehow manages to look interesting rather than intrusive, Hope you get some get conditions in March, we went up its neighbour in December, no snow, but still beautiful.

[litljortindan]

A fantastic hill I think looking great in the snow. I'll look forward to your (presumably) A' Chioch report.