Grabbing Alligin by the Horns - Summit Camp Magic!

[Jaxter]

We awoke to the sound of rain on the outside of the tent…not the best sign, although by the time we could be bothered getting up, both the midges and the rain had gone and the sun was out. We headed along to Kinlochewe to pick up enough signal for a forecast, and an early lunch. The forecast was good – Alligin summit camp was on

We couldn’t resist stopping for a few photos as we drove up the glen…








We parked at the car park, shouldered our packs and headed off up the path – it was hot work and we needed to stop and enjoy the views at regular intervals


Ahead to Alligin


Beinn Dearg


Coire nan Laogh – tomorrow’s descent route


As we crossed the bridge and started heading more steeply upwards we could see towards Beinn Eighe


As we climbed higher we saw someone waving at us – it was Colin! He and Jura were on their way back from Beinn Dearg. It was a perfect opportunity to stop again


Looks miles away!


As we started climbing up to the Horns the path became more like giant rock steps – this slowed down progress as there was also some hands on action. I was glad that Malcy was carrying most of the weight


We could see Skye at last!


Liathach


Malcy regretting his decision to carry all the weight


Looking back


Not more height?!


The two munro summits – looking an awful long way away!


Finally the worst of the ascent was done and the horns were ahead – we met a couple of lassies who told us we were in for a lot of fun!


Looking back to Slioch and into the Fisherfield


Beinn Dearg




Maol Chean Dearg & An Ruadh-stac


Looking back to Liathach


Looking ahead to the 2nd horn from the 1st (shame it wasn’t as easy to get down )


Tom na Gruagaich


Looking back to the 1st horn – awkward descent off the rock shelves was actually the hardest bit!


Baosbheinn


The 2nd horn was largely ok, with one tricky move that I really wouldn’t want to reverse and one moment that wasn’t technically difficult or scary but a rock moved as I was climbing out and freaked me out Looking ahead to the last horn


Looking back


Towards Torridon


On the last horn!




Looking ahead to Sgurr Mor from the final horn – that’s one hell of an ascent


Malcy contemplating the final ascent


Baosbheinn


The descent from the last horn wasn’t difficult and soon it was time for the final ascent to Sgurr Mor – a last glance at Slioch before we headed up


It was a long slog but before long we had a fabulous view back down the horns


And further afield


Looking out towards Gairloch


Finally at the top of Sgurr Mor it was totally worth it!


Malcy mounts the cairn at the summit of Sgurr Mor




Liathach


Beinn Damh


Beinn Liath Mor & Sgorr Ruadh


Skye


Diabeg, Raasay and Skye


Big gash (insert your own joke )




The way ahead




The final ascent


Looking back to Sgurr Mor


Finally reaching the summit I could see down the Graham An Ruadh-Mheallan and Gairloch


Maol Chean Dearg and An Ruadh-stac


Beinn Damh


This may have been one of the pair of golden eagles Colin saw earlier?


Skye


Liathach northern pinnacles


Tom na Gruagaich summit


Sisters


Knoydart




Sun making its descent


Setting up camp


Tent pitched we had a wander out to the top of the crags at Na Fasreidhnean


Nice views down into Torridon




Malcy running away


Deer


Diabeg


Redpoint


My ears got cold so Malcy lent me his hat – what’s better than one hat…?


A bit of cloud started to blow through adding to the atmosphere


Sgurr Mor


Beinn Dearg




It was getting chilly so it was time to sleeping-bag-cloak up for the sunset


An Teallach








Baosbheinn
























Clisham


Then the skies went wild




It was time for bed


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The next morning my alarm went off at 4 – I poked my head out the door…hmm….a few minutes later I got out of bed. Malcy wasn’t tempted to get up just yet


The skies were already incredible
















Here it comes










Sun up we were getting red glow on the hills – out to Skye








Harris


Red glow on Beinn Bhan


We went back to the tent for an hours sleep before we had to get up and go – looking down the glen










Tent down it was time to go!


It was a knee-crunching descent and as we got lower the midges started to appear


Sgurr Mor and the horns


Beinn Dearg, Beinn Eighe and Liathach


Looking across Loch Torridon


Back at the car the midges were out so we hopped in the car and ran – Malcy had work to go to and I was heading up some more hills – the weather was so nice it would be rude not to

[Alteknacker]

Heck, it doesn't get much better than that!!! I really see the advantages of a decent camera as compared with a mobile phone - some absolutely wonderful pics.

I was up there in winter, and I never fail to be astonished at the differences in character a hill can have in the different seasons.

Your pitch looked some way off horizontal - weren't you gravitationally challenged during the night??

[onsen]

Love high camps...sunsets, sunrises, endless views & wild weather. Makes you feel so alive.

[litljortindan]

The finest Torridon hill, in my opinion, and well captured. There can't be many trips to beat bivvying on its summit.
We were walking round lochs Claire and Coulin the same day so if you had a small red car driving slowly in front of you at some point that could have been us. Watched the same sunset too but from the somewhat less spectacular Redpoint. Good looking back from there though to the Torridon gloaming.

[past my sell by date]

Yes a fun circuit. I did it the other way round - around 33 years ago - when there was only one Munro to be ticked.
Here's your Eagle (I think) zoomed

[steviesea]

Wow. You've really captured the ambience of an epic camping spot. I had to go the other way round so that if I bottled out of doing the horns I wouldn't miss out the rest of the 'cracking' mountain. Luckily I went for it and absolutely loved it.
Had fantastic views but some of yours are amazing

[Jaxter]

Heck, it doesn't get much better than that!!! I really see the advantages of a decent camera as compared with a mobile phone - some absolutely wonderful pics.

I was up there in winter, and I never fail to be astonished at the differences in character a hill can have in the different seasons.

Your pitch looked some way off horizontal - weren't you gravitationally challenged during the night??

Cheers - it is a magic hill isn't it the pitch was actually pretty good, although it certainly doesn't look it much better than some where I've spent all night rolling downhill

Love high camps...sunsets, sunrises, endless views & wild weather. Makes you feel so alive.

Absolutely

The finest Torridon hill, in my opinion, and well captured. There can't be many trips to beat bivvying on its summit.
We were walking round lochs Claire and Coulin the same day so if you had a small red car driving slowly in front of you at some point that could have been us. Watched the same sunset too but from the somewhat less spectacular Redpoint. Good looking back from there though to the Torridon gloaming.

I think I'd have to agree with you there I keep meaning to explore that area - looks like it would be fun going up from loch Claire to Beinn Dubh

Yes a fun circuit. I did it the other way round - around 33 years ago - when there was only one Munro to be ticked.
Here's your Eagle (I think) zoomed

I've been round both directions now - plenty to be said for both

:clap: Wow. You've really captured the ambience of an epic camping spot. I had to go the other way round so that if I bottled out of doing the horns I wouldn't miss out the rest of the 'cracking' mountain. Luckily I went for it and absolutely loved it.
Had fantastic views but some of yours are amazing

Thanks - I've missed out the horns twice before for different reasons so definitely committed myself this time it's such a great hill!