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Anyone that knows T and has seen her posts on FB will know that she has been on a mission recently and has been ticking off her remaining Corbetts, the majority done on her own and in varied conditions. "T on...?"
Eventually this obsessive bagging leads in only one direction, a compleation party, starting on a hill somewhere and finishing with sore heads the next day! Before you know it a group of us were heading up to stay at Kintail for the weekend with the walk planned for the Saturday. A few of us also took the Friday off and squeezed in a hill en route to the north west highlands from different directions. In attendance were Theresa and Polly, Derek, Jonathan, Iain and myself.
Surprisingly, especially considering some of the company I was in, surrounded by mountain machines and peak condition athletes who were the original band of Walkhighlanders, we managed to keep things calm on the Friday night to ensure we didn't disappoint T and would arise in time for the big walk. I was told this was due to the bad influence of Bod not being there with Whisky!
The only thing standing in our way and ensuring the wrath of Polly (who was desperate to get going) was an amazing sunrise over the Five Sisters that morning which delayed our start!
Kintail-Glen Garry (4) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Kintail-Glen Garry (8) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Once done taking photos we jammed ourselves into Iain's minibus-campervan and heading to the Applecross peninsula to the start of the walk where we would be meeting up with four others; Scoob & Fi, Alison and Paul.
We parked a bit closer to the south ridge of Beinn Bhan and the others parked further up the road so we arranged to rendezvous up at the start of the ridge. The view from our lay-by parking spot was already top notch as Sgurr a' Chaorachain shows off it's corries:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (1) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (5) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Six of us started heading up the slopes and Derek was pumped for this one early doors!
Beinn Bhan (7) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As we headed up the pathless hillside we could make out the other 4 heading to meet us higher up. Beinn Bhan's summit is up and behind the cliffs on the right:
Beinn Bhan (13) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We made our way up the pathless hll side but the terrain was fine, a little wet and rocky but a decent gradient:
Beinn Bhan (17) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The white dot of the van was quickly becoming smaller behind us:
Beinn Bhan (18) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Our diagonal up the way meant we were soon to cross paths with the other 4 and they were going at at much faster pace by the looks of things, someone was already looking down on us:
Beinn Bhan (19) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The rest weren't far behind:
Beinn Bhan (20) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I was ahead of our group and made my way up a rocky bit, scrambling up a few bits for fun. I popped up onto the flat bit to be met with 4 Walkhighlands celebrities and joked it's like a who's who before naming Fi, Scoob, Alison and Dooterbang!
The rest of our group soon joined the party:
Beinn Bhan (21) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We waited a good bit as everyone had a good catch up and the view wasn't too shabby even early on in the walk. Looking east towards the 5 Sisters sticking out back left, the Saddle back right and Loch Kishorn down below:
Beinn Bhan (23) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We soon got going again:
Beinn Bhan (24) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The early part of the ascent looks like this:
Beinn Bhan (25) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Paul, Derek, Iain and I were leading the way and soon realised we were on our own again as the others had a blether break.
. Repeat a few times and it took us an hour to do the first kilometre!
The four of us decided to continue setting the pace and kept moving to entice the others to join us and with the view getting better with every stop it was hard to stay still for long. Sgurr a' Chaorachain summit on our left:
Beinn Bhan (27) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
They're at it again!
Beinn Bhan Applecross (3) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Southern Torridon Hills and Liathach peeking through on our right:
Beinn Bhan (30) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
To morning sun rays:
Beinn Bhan (32) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It would soon get dull again but at least it was dry and there were no small bitey things, we were all beaming at being out in winter conditions again and the snow was still to come.
The view continued like this for a while with Sgurr a' Chaorachain on the left providing a superb background for your fellow walkers:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (4) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (33) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Some of whom were still lagging behind:
Beinn Bhan (34) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Paul meanwhile was pacing ahead of everyone but the lead 4 soon stopped at another level bit where we realised it would be a shame not to move south a tad to enjoy this view:
Beinn Bhan (35) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Impressive:
Beinn Bhan (38) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Most impressive!
Beinn Bhan (39) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The others had caught us up:
Beinn Bhan (40) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (42) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As we enjoyed another break I checked out the view west as the sunlight kissed the tops of countless mountains, some of which I recognised like Bidean a' Choire Sheasgaich and Lurg Mhor which Iain, Jonny, Willie and I had explored in April:
Beinn Bhan (45) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
What a morning:
Beinn Bhan (49) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking back to where we are staying and the stunning Kintail peaks:
Beinn Bhan (51) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Further to the right, now looking south east, Derek took great joy in pointing out Beinn Sgritheall which he had summited the day before in envious conditions and right next to it is Ladhar Bheinn and Knoydart, superb!
Beinn Bhan (53) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
With yet another break over and Paul joking that we'll get to use head torches on the descent, we set off once more into the snow:
Beinn Bhan (56) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (58) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We were following a snowy path now as we approached Beinn Bhan's South Corbett top, also a Tump as I discussed with Scoob and Fi who were also ardent hill-baggers so we had naturally gravitated together and were quickly discussing true summits, Simms and the like. Alison was in good company!
Beinn Bhan (59) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The view south had changed slightly as we moved along:
Beinn Bhan (60) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Now we were over the 650m mark it was mor exposed so we all stopped to put on extra layers and winter protection, still in awe at the vista north towards the Torridon giants:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (7) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
All wrapped up and toasty, nothing was going to stop us now:
Beinn Bhan (61) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan Applecross (8) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (62) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (64) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Paul blazing a trail in front with the summit of the South Top being bypassed to the left. Scoob and Fi said not to worry we'd bag the Top on the way back down:
Beinn Bhan (66) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The view was about to get even more incredible:
Beinn Bhan (67) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The next section looks steep and a few curse words were uttered, mainly from Jonny who doesn't really like Corbetts apparently!
Beinn Bhan (69) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Starting with a slight distraction, the A' Choich ridge!
One for a dry summer day that's for sure but it looks like scrambling heaven from here:
Beinn Bhan (71) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Behold... Beinn Bhan!
Beinn Bhan (72) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We were all in awe and running out of adjectives to describe the beauty:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (9) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The A' Choich ridge again with Torridon the backdrop:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (12) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
As scary as that may look for some, wait until you see the next ridge up, A' Phiot once we get closer to the summit:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (13) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Wow:
Beinn Bhan (75) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The really steep looking bit, on closer inspection, turned out to be not so steep as is often the case:
Beinn Bhan (77) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Now we were higher up and Torridon was directly north it would be a crime not to have a closer look:
Beinn Bhan (79) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (80) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Meanwhile, the walk was turning alpine:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (15) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (81) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Every nook and cranny was worth checking out on the way:
Beinn Bhan (82) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
To the south Skye and the Cuillin were coming into view some more:
Beinn Bhan (83) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan Applecross (17) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
At around 810m we reach a thin section of the ridge and it's a cracker, this is the hill that keeps on giving, we were all constantly commenting on what a superb maountain and final Corbett it was:
Beinn Bhan (90) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (92) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
By the grimace, Iain is feeling the cold, or his sore ankle, or both!
Beinn Bhan (93) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Knoydart and the eastern tip of Skye:
Beinn Bhan (95) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The final pull up to the summit with Paul still leading the way:
Beinn Bhan (97) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
T in her bobble hat with her gang, enjoying a classic meander, or should that be Corbett Cruise?
Beinn Bhan (98) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Torridon and Coulin Hills, I just wish it was a bit sunnier but we are all happy with clear, dry and not that breezy. As the view down the corries is so good I divert from everyone else and follow the line of the crags along to where A' Choich meets the main ridge:
Beinn Bhan (99) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking directly west down Coire na Feola, the big snowy hills behind Sgurr a' Gharaidh are the Monar Munros Iain and I climbed a few weeks before the Attadale trip
Beinn Bhan Applecross (21) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It was well worth the slight detour off the main path:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (22) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
I managed to find some deep snow drifts by going off-piste which wasn't great as one resulted in snow going over my boots since I hadn't bothered to put my gaiters on yet, there had been no need, until now:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (23) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A' Phiot ridge now below the summit, looking more fearsome than A' Choich next door! Definitely one for taking ropes and knowing what you are doing:
Beinn Bhan (102) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Every one of us was blown away by the views, both near and far:
Beinn Bhan (106) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Time to rejoin the path for an easier final stretch to the summit:
Beinn Bhan (107) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Perfect timing to catch the others with Skye, Rum and more in the background now:
Beinn Bhan (108) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Iain! Say cheese:
Beinn Bhan (110) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
From The Saddle back left to Beinn Sgritheall and Ladhar Bheinn on the right, plus a few Munro Meanderers sneaking up a Corbett:
Beinn Bhan (111) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The sun was now being fully blocked to our south but that cracking view remained:
Beinn Bhan (112) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Approaching the summit now, it has a shelter cairn! I love it when that happens:
Beinn Bhan (113) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan summit, party imminent:
Beinn Bhan (114) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Looking down Coire na Poite with its multiple Lochan na Poite's:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (24) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Photo time for every one:
Beinn Bhan (118) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A' Choich ridge in winter, not advisable, unless you are Dave MacLeod or similar:
Beinn Bhan (119) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
What a backdrop, Fiona and Alison in their element:
Beinn Bhan (120) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Here comes the bobble hat:
Beinn Bhan (121) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
An approaching the summit video:
https://flic.kr/p/2hMCV6SSome kind of Greek Goddess statue appears to be atop the trig point!
Beinn Bhan (122) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
With the soon to be famous one fast approaching it was time for things to get a little surreal:
Beinn Bhan (123) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Here she comes, under the classic walking pole tunnel (sorry I was part of the tunnel and couldn't film it but I think Derek or Scoob did) and onto the trig point where the Saltire is held aloft:
Beinn Bhan (124) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Congratulations Theresa!
An amazing achievement!
Beinn Bhan (125) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Enjoy and soak in the view:
Beinn Bhan (126) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Of yourself!
Beinn Bhan (127) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Another summit video to freak people out with us all wearing our Theresa masks!
https://flic.kr/p/2hMCKF9Stuart got his drone out as those that need fuel for big walks rested and had lunch around the trig point shelter cairn, required on a big hill with a large flat summit area like this:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (33) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
From what I can gather, Derek normally does this with David Sothern who wasn't chuffed a Theresa taking his place!
Beinn Bhan Applecross (34) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
With lunch over and everyone enjoying a good blether while ogling at the 360 panorama from the Outer Hebrides to Ben Nevis, it was time to end the fun and head back down the hill
and by end the fun I mean race back to Ratagan to enjoy some top scran and celebrate T's success!
Beinn Bhan (128) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Scoob and Fi, mountain goats in their natural habitat:
Beinn Bhan (129) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Back down across the tundra we go:
Beinn Bhan (131) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Still running out of adjectives to describe the view all around us:
Beinn Bhan (133) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Approaching the thin ridge section again:
Beinn Bhan (138) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Jonny decided he would take the safe option:
Beinn Bhan (140) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The ridge looks even better on the way down as T does a wee pole dance to celebrate!
Beinn Bhan (141) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Especially good in wide-angle:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (35) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
That's where you went wrong Jonny, you took the tricky branch of the path:
Beinn Bhan (142) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan South Top ahead of us now:
Beinn Bhan (143) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
After we pass Bobsleigh Gulley that is!
Beinn Bhan (144) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Not as noticeable during the ascent, we spot an obvious photo opportunity and Derek grasps it first:
Beinn Bhan (146) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Better get a move on Derek, the Corbett Queen is claiming this photo op:
Beinn Bhan (148) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Mountain Thyme, Queen of the big hills:
Beinn Bhan (149) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We have all decided, we love Beinn Bhan:
Beinn Bhan (150) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (151) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
With the photo shoot done, it's time to bag a Corbett top, Tump and Simm on the way down:
Beinn Bhan (154) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Sgurr a' Chaorachain, both Corbetts are very similar:
Beinn Bhan (156) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Dooterbang leading the way is already next to the top:
Beinn Bhan (157) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Still plenty of daylight left:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (38) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The view of the walk, there were plenty of them, but this topped the lot for me:
Beinn Bhan (160) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We're now at that stage of the walk where you are leaving the good stuff behind, but this is balanced by the quick and easy descent and thoughts of the usual after-hike routine and a good catch up with fellow walkers:
Beinn Bhan (162) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Descending the South Top:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (39) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (164) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Derek, another one in his element and it's been a braw couple of days walking for him!
Beinn Bhan (166) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Starting to leave the snow now:
Beinn Bhan (168) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Bhan (169) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
There's the van, dead centre! A few groans are heard, it's so far away! Par for the course on almost any walk.
Beinn Bhan (170) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
We decide we'll not retrace our diagonal route up but will head further down the ridge, along the faint path, then take a sharp right down to the van:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (40) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
It's miles away!
Scoob, Fi and Alison decide to leave us at this point and head on a direct route to their van down near the shore:
Beinn Bhan (176) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Paul was back at his car by this point I think.
One last look north east to Maol Chean-Dearg, An Ruadh-Stac and Fuar Tholl:
Beinn Bhan (179) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
One last look at Loch Kishorn:
Beinn Bhan Applecross (42) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Princess Mountain Thyme, long and hard did she quest to conquer the Corbetts:
Beinn Bhan (182) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Sgurr a' Chaorachain:
Beinn Bhan (183) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The route down was a lot more scenic than our route up:
Beinn Bhan (184) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Paul now back at the van, in his own van which was parked miles away! Derek is inbound:
Beinn Bhan (186) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
The finish line, this has definitely worked up an appetitie!
Beinn Bhan (187) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
A final look back at Beinn Bhan, what a mountain to finish the Corbetts on, congratulations again Theresa, it is a brilliant achievement!
Beinn Bhan (188) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Iain drove us back to Ratagan where we were joined not only by T's old schooll friend Paul and Scooob and Fi but also Debbie and family, including my new best friend Henry the Spaniel!
We had a quality evening of fun, food, drink and chat followed by an equally good breakfast. Thanks again to everyone that drove, cooked and cleaned, we all did our bit and lef the place as we found it.
Special mention to Paul the custodian too, who gave us a free postcard and share his knowledge of the area with us.
We finished the morning with a few more photos of stunning Kintail:
Kintail-Glen Garry (13) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Sgurr Fhuaran and co.:
Kintail-Glen Garry (14) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Then one the way down Iain and I stopped off to view the Loch Quaich Mountains:
Kintail-Glen Garry (24) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Glencoe aswell, to top off a stunning weekend in the best of company:
Glencoe (4) by
Chris Mac, on Flickr
Whatever you do, make sure you visit Beinn Bhan as you won't regret it. And don't ask T if she is going to be bagging Grahams or Marilyns now, well maybe leave it a few weeks!