Doing it Differently on Meall a'Ghiubhais

[Cairngorm creeper]

We first saw Meall a'Ghiubhais this winter from the path to Rhuadh Stac Beag, the snow highlighting its classic lines. At the time we felt disappointed when we realised this fine looking hill was not that days objectives but viewing the mountain from this angle influenced our decision to approach it via its north face followed by a walk along its top.

Meall a Ghuibhais in Winter

The north face looked steep and rocky on the map and although there were no scrambles listed in the guidebook it seemed best to save it for a dry summers day as we were not sure how much scrambling would be involved.
Dry sunny days have been in short supply so far this year, but, finally we had a good forecast; although the way the rain was pounding down the night before it was hard to believe it would ever stop.
But it did! and Slioch looked stunning against the blue skies as we started out on the woodland trail from Loch Maree at 09:00.

Slioch from Loch Maree

The Route

The woodlands were fresh and green after the recent rain and the sunshine was keeping the bloodsuckers at bay. In fact we did not encounter any midges, clegs or ticks all day .

The Woodland Trail

Knowing that it was not going to be a long day, there was no reason to rush, and we were able to enjoy the views of Slioch from the multiple viewpoints along the trail resisting the temptation to sit on the benches provided.

Slioch from the woodland trail

We had planned to leave the path somewhere near the waterfall to weave our way up through the lower tier of crags. The trees, however, continued up the slopes and our intended route resembled a jungle, very scenic, but not easy to negotiate.

Approaching the waterfall

We crossed the waterfall and continued on the path for a few hundred metres, then started the ascent on steep grassy slopes scattered with outcrops.

Ascent on steep grassy slopes

We mostly dodged the craglets, although we did indulge in a bit of optional scrambling. The rock was solid and dry, but it unfortunately led to vertical slime which I ended up kneeling in . Before the day was through my knees managed to come into contact with a fair amount of slime! .

Optional Scrambling

The ground levelled out and we were looking at the North East Aspect of Meall a'Ghuibhais, split by a deep gully channeling the burn into Loch Bhanabhaig. The rocky side of the gully looked like an interesting scramble, perhaps a route come back to explore..

North East aspect of Meall a'Ghiubhais

We made our across great slabs of rocky pavement and grassy hummocks to reach the North Face.

Admiring the views across Slioch and beyond as we check we are in the right place

It was narrow for a face, broad for ridge and too broken to be called a buttress but finding a route through and up the bands of crags and outcrops held the promise of adventure.

North Face Meall a'Ghiubhais

It may be possible to work your way through the crags without any scrambling, but this would probably involve very steep grass and quite possibly steep mossy muddy slime.
We aimed for the easiest rocky scrambling there was not an obvious continuous line so we edged our way along the grassy shelves between the outcrops route finding. In places the crags were running with water and some sections were surprisingly steep. Fortunately the difficulties could all be avoided by dry and easier alternatives. There was a fair amount of rock debris and more alarmingly solid looking holds and foot placements that came away when pulled, But also a lot of good rock and enjoyable scrambling probably about grade 2.
Looking down there were impressive views along Loch Maree

View Along Loch Maree

Scrambling up the Crags

Final Arete

The final scramble up an easy arete led us up to the North Top, and more views along Loch Maree.

North End

and a cairn topped with a rock resembling a spooky skull.

North Summit Cairn

It was easy walk between the summits but with a panorama of mountains in every direction, as far as the eye can see. No matter how many times one is in the heart of the hills, the view never ceases to thrill, and although you know there are roads and settlements close by they seem inconsequential, hidden from sight.

And at the end of of Meall a'Ghiubhais is Ben Eighe.

Beinn Eighe

We arrived at the summit at 13:00 ready for lunch. We recently heard a guide telling a group that hillwalkers in Scotland rarely stop for lunch! How silly! Part of the days pleasure is a summit brew! Especially when there is a comfy windshelter.

13:00 Always Time for Lunch

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Refreshed and refuelled we headed back to the col to take a descent line towards Loch Allt Daraich.

The Decent

Beinn Eighe And Ruadh Stac Beag

The white quartz made Loch Allt an Daraich appear intriguing from a distance

Loch Allt an Daraich and Leathad Bhuide

On reaching the loch we felt somewhat overdressed in our walking gear amongst the tourists in their shorts and shades enjoying the sunshine. It was a beautiful spot but we continued straight on to the viewpoint thinking this would be the shortest route back. We had just used the map to plan our route so the rocky mountain trail which leads from the viewpoint came as complete surprise. Descending, the trail gave the impression of continuing for miles, high in the mountains, you could almost believe you were anywhere in the world. The path itself was ingenious the way it wove through the white crags, with steps cut in the steeper sections but also some very easy scrambling. But it was the setting that was so enthralling, hard to believe we were below 500m alt.

MountainTrail

Slioch from the Mountain Trail

More of the Mountain Trail

The trail eventually led us back through the woods to arrive back on the shores of Loch Maree 16:30.