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Following our morning
descent from Beinn Alligin, Malcy dropped me at Achnashellach on his way back to Inverness. I’m sure there were many gritted teeth and I set off on a terrific day on the Torridonian hills and he headed back to Inverness for work…
It was an easy stroll up to the station where I double-checked the train times before err…taking a shortcut that didn’t involve wet feet to get onto the hill. Climbing the fence wasn’t a problem, but karma clearly still had words as I was deposited in a ditch. I did eventually get out but not before a fight with some tree that drew plenty of blood
Then I had to smash through a jungle
After smashing through some more undergrowth I was out of the worst of it and on the hill – there were even wee bits of path here and there which led me through a gate and a gap in the fence
It was hot work – I wasn’t sure how much water there would be higher up so every time I crossed a burn I finished and refilled my water bottle, which resulted in lots of pee stops
Nearing the top of Sgurr a’ Mhuillinn I could see right into the corrie
Looking across to Slioch
Water stop!
Heading into the corrie – I thought the left hand side of the burn looked like the easiest ground
Looking back to the Monar hills
Sgurr na Feartaig
Ooft that looks steep
My route went up the right hand ridge – “just get on the ridge and it’s fine” apparently
After refilling water yet again, I picked up a sort of track (or possibly I imagined it) and made a rising traverse towards the ridge, wanting to hit it before it got too rocky – the South Cliffs just seemed to get bigger
Looking back down
The Monar hills, Bidein a’ Choire Sheasgaich prominent on the skyline
It was hot work and had taken me 2 hours to this point, but I was on the ridge with views to what I think is the Fannaichs
Ahead – a steepening and narrowing ridge with plenty of loose rocks
The views across the Beinn Liath Mor were incredible – what a fantastic hill it is!
It was steep work but it was awkward enough that at least I didn’t have to slow down – I was already at a snails pace!
Then came the awkward bit – it was only a couple of steps but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have a couple of moments of panic
Clearly all these injuries have removed my balls
I didn’t actually get a photo of it, but once over it was a easy, if narrow, ridge walk
The ridge dropped me a few metres from the summit of Fuar Tholl
When I’d looked at this from below I’d thought it a possible route up….
Perhaps not…
Looking back
Liathach
Beinn Tarsuinn summit!
Sgorr Ruadh and Maol Chean Dearg
The graham Sgurr a'Gharaidh with Skye behind
The a’Cioch ridge on Beinn Bhan
Alligin – Sgurr Mor and the horns
Slioch
An Teallach with Beinn Tarsuinn in front and Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair to the right – amazing visibility to get such views into the Fisherfield
An Teallach and Beinn Tarsuinn’s table
Mullach Coire Mhic Fhearchair
Maol Chean Dearg – another hill needing a revisit
Rubha Hunish on the northern tip of Skye
Clisham on Harris
Finally I’d spent enough time sunbathing – a look at the time suggested I’d definitely have time for Sgorr Ruadh so off I went – the Mainreahan Buttress looked impressive
Looking back to Fuar Tholl as I climb up the buttress
Beinn Liath Mor and Loch Coire Lair
Wanna see my butt (ress)?
Beinn Alligin peeking out behind Sgorr Ruadh
Maol Chean Dearg and An Ruadh-stac
Sgurr a'Gharaidh
I dropped off the back of the buttress to avoid the crags and ended up in a maze of scree runs – by the time I’d freed myself I realised I’d come a bit too far over and had to trek back around over awkward rocks
but I was nearly down at Bealach Mor
What wasn’t so obvious from above was that Bealach Mor was a maze of humps, bumps and lochans and there was plenty of ascent and twists and turns just to get to the start of the ascent up Sgorr Ruadh (not that it was really nice there
)
Looking back to the end of the buttresses
Finally I was beginning the actual ascent of Sgorr Ruadh – it looked a big jumble from afar but closer up I was able to pick up a bit of a rising traverse which made it less painful and also offered water-filling opportunities
Looking back to Fuar Tholl and Loch a’ Bhealaich Moir
After the rising traverse I hit a bit of a plateau where I aimed for the ridge for the final pull – I met a person here, the only other person I’d seen so far (other that odd one from afar down in the glen). A few minutes later I was on the summit – the ascent not as bad as I’d expected, and the views were so worth it
Maol Chean Dearg, Beinn Damh and Beinn na h-Eaglaise
An Ruadh-Stac and Maol Chean Dearg
Looking down the ridge to the impressive crags on Sgorr Ruadh and Beinn Liath Mor
An Ruadh-Stac and Skye
Torridon giants
Loch Carron, Maol Chean Dearg, Beinn Damh and friends
Beinn Alligin – where I’d woken up
Beinn Damh
Looking back to Fuar Tholl’s Mainreachan Buttress
I was joined for a while by a guy and his dog who’d come over Beinn Liath Mor – I was so tempted but knew I’d be pushing it for the last train
but I did have plenty of time to complete my circuit so started heading down to the apparently nameless bealach. The last time I’d been here there had been a fair amount of snow and no visibility so it was great to actually enjoy it this time
Beinn Liath Mor – wow
Looking back to Sgorr Ruadh – impressive rock and so cool how it changes from black to white
Sgorr Ruadh
Decided to take a wee diversion out to the end of the ridge which gave me great views back
Beinn Liath Mor and Robertson’s Buttress
More views towards Torridon
Loch Torridon and Beinn Alligin
Beinn Damh
Realised I’d forgotten one of these on Sgorr Ruadh so here you go
Pointy McPointyFace Sgorr Ruadh
Then it was time to go – I had 3 hours to the train, should be fine but it was a long way to go on tired legs
Down at the bealach Liathach was waving through the gap
Another huge buttress – I’ve lost track of whether its Raeburn’s or Robertson’s
Beinn Liath Mor
Mental rocks
Fuar Tholl and it’s impressive Mainreachan Buttress
Looking back at Raeburn’s Buttress
It was a long old trek down the glen but it was a good path and I was able to take my time – big cycles followed by big hill days had clearly taken their toll
The burn provided plenty of water refills and I had plenty of time for the train so I was able to sit for a while before the final descent down to Achnashellach
The path dropped me into the trees and I was careful to watch out for the left turn for Achnashellach which I nearly missed last time, but it was actually signposted (probably was before too
).
Once on the track I was home and dry (except the turn to the station isn’t signposted and I had to check the map!) and had great views back to Fuar Tholl
Back at the station I was able to take my hot boots off and lie down for 20 minutes before the train arrived to take me back to Inverness (definitely a journey worth taking for the scenery alone!) where I even got a lift the last 2 miles!
