Horns of Alligin Winter Traverse - Wild Weather in Torridon

[DizzyVizion]

Video below

We finally received some snow on the mountains after the warmest February on record- GAME ON! But where to go? Glen Coe? The Ben? DUBAI? Naaah! Let's drive 6 hours in a manky minvan with the most uncomfortable and unadjustable seats in the world all the way up to Torridon for a wee 'muck about' on Beinn Alligin!! Deal

My brother and I set off straight from work on the Friday afternoon, arriving at the Beinn Alligin car park in darkness. We had a bite to eat, a wee glass of single malt, then settled in for an Abhu Ghraib'esque nights rest.

We got up after 6, had some breakfast, had a pleasant wee chat with a guy from Ireland who had settled in the area (lucky), then we set off through the forest towards Beinn Alligin.

Approaching the footbridge

We cut off from the usual trail up the horns to check out the situation around the back in Deep South Gully; a route we hoped would have enough snow for an ascent. But alas! It had nowt

Deep South Gully with less snow on it than a snow cone. Pants.

And so, plan B it was then. A winter traverse of The Horns of Alligin and the two munro's of Sgurr Mor and Tom na Gruagaich in often foul, but sometimes pleasant weather. Enjoy!

Beinn Dearg looking lovely

Sgurr Mor

Beinn Dearg and beyond

Beinn Dearg left. Liathach right

Approaching The Horns

The walk up to the first Horn

The view back to The Horns of Alligin. Nice!

Getting down from the winter storms

Beinn Dearg left. Beinn Eighe middle. Liathach right.

On the left you can see the big scar on Sgurr Mor, known as Leum na Caillich apparently.

Looking back up our descent route, Coir nan Laogh

After what turned out to be a truly epic adventure, we decided that we'd deserved to not have to spend another night in that minivan and so we set off to find some flat ground to set up a tent. And we found an ideal spot right across from Liathach-

Our cosy lodgings for the second night- stuff sleeping in that minivan again!

The view of Liathach from the tent

Some sirloin steaks, potatoes, and a bottle of Talisker Storm (very appropriate) saw us through til morning when we'd return to the central belt to endure life til the next trip.

Din dins!

[litljortindan]

Great stuff. The video had me gripping on to my armchair.

[dav2930]

Good effort in less than ideal conditions Shame the gully was bare, but the classic traverse ain't a bad plan B! The descent from the last of the horns will have been quite tricky? Great pics and vid.

[DizzyVizion]

Great stuff. The video had me gripping on to my armchair.

It took me a while to edit the footage so I really appreciate the comment
Thank you

[DizzyVizion]

Good effort in less than ideal conditions Shame the gully was bare, but the classic traverse ain't a bad plan B! The descent from the last of the horns will have been quite tricky? Great pics and vid.

Thank you. That's much appreciated
The conditions certainly added extra character to the day, that's for sure
The descent from the last horn was a wee bit tricky, but nothing too bad to be honest. It was fine.
We didn't know the route on any of the horns as there were no footprints to follow

[steviesea]

Whooah!!! Looked like 1 memorable day. Hats off to you in those conditions ,there's no way have I got the minerals for such glorious madness Great atmospheric vid had me bobbin it

[kevsbald]

Sirloin and Talisker Storm - need to get you into a bothy soon.

[Alteknacker]

Read/watched this a few days ago, but just realised I hadn't commented on how much I'd enjoyed it! I wish you'd done it a week earlier, so I'd have seen it before we walked the Alligin Ridge, and made a decision in favour of the Horns!!! The Horns look like great fun!

[DizzyVizion]

Whooah!!! Looked like 1 memorable day. Hats off to you in those conditions ,there's no way have I got the minerals for such glorious madness Great atmospheric vid had me bobbin it

Thanks steviesea
It was a really memorable adventure for sure
I think the conditions made it better, if that makes sense
I'm glad you enjoyed the vid mate.
It gives a pretty fair reflection of the traverse- plus the music isn't bad either

[DizzyVizion]

Read/watched this a few days ago, but just realised I hadn't commented on how much I'd enjoyed it! I wish you'd done it a week earlier, so I'd have seen it before we walked the Alligin Ridge, and made a decision in favour of the Horns!!! The Horns look like great fun!

Cheers Alteknacker
I wished I'd got the footage out sooner mate.
I didn't even have video editing software until midweek after the trip, and even then I had to bodge my way through learning how to edit the vid
The Horns were brilliant, but the ascent and descent route you took both look fantastic!

[DizzyVizion]

Sirloin and Talisker Storm - need to get you into a bothy soon.

Well, kevsbald. When the wife allows me not 1 but 2 nights away, I really have to go all-out and take the steaks and single malt route
Will hopefully get away for a bothy trip soon. Maybe we'll see you there

[NeepNeep]

Good effort and indeed a worthwhile plan B. Ive done it a couple of times in differing conditions and is up there with one of my favourite days in the hills. Have also been luckier and done Deep South Gully....very atmospheric with towering walls. Makes you feel very small. If you get the chance - pop back and do it - you will not be dissapointed. Glad you had a good day - dins dins looked goooood!

[hughdivers1975]

Love the video some of the downclimbs looked scary well done.

[DizzyVizion]

Good effort and indeed a worthwhile plan B. Ive done it a couple of times in differing conditions and is up there with one of my favourite days in the hills. Have also been luckier and done Deep South Gully....very atmospheric with towering walls. Makes you feel very small. If you get the chance - pop back and do it - you will not be dissapointed. Glad you had a good day - dins dins looked goooood!

Thanks NeepNeep.
I'll be returning for Deep South Gully for sure.
Hopefully it'll be in condition next time.
And if it isn't, I'll just need to return again, and again, and again!
If you can't be lucky then you need to be persistent. Story of my life
Din dins was ace btw! Cheers mate

[DizzyVizion]

Love the video some of the downclimbs looked scary well done.

Thanks hughdivers1975
The downclimbs were exciting with full concentration required, but still extremely enjoyable
It was a very satisfying adventure all-round - I highly recommend.