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A rare weekend in Inverness – Malky had wanted to do some home décor and I had an actual weekend off so decided to come too (the excellent forecast had nothing to do with it…
) My train got in late Friday night after work so neither of us was in a hurry to get up in the morning! Fortunately the weather was to be incredible all day with the wind dropping throughout; a perfect excuse for a lazy start
We parked up and Malky used the last few minutes while I put my boots on to dry out his waterproof (the irony being it was the hottest day in ages and the waterproof was unlikely to be necessary anyway
)
We crossed the Fionn-Abhainn and were wishing we’d remembered to pack sun cream
Looking ahead to An Ruadh-Stac
It was hot work as we headed up the track – the last time we’d been down here it had been in the dark with a heavy pack, so this ought to have been easy. But I had forgotten (yet again!) how much ascent it was to the bothy
We passed a couple of cyclists sporting some impressive tats as they were fixing flat tyres. They soon overtook us but it looked like pretty hard work with a lot of carrying over the awkward sections!
The bridge and good views to the back of Sgorr Ruadh
Looking back
Finally Coire Fionnaraich bothy was in sight – progress at least!
Shortly past the bothy we hopped our way over a boggy section before our path diverged from the main path and we started heading more steeply uphill towards the Bealaich a’ Choire Ghairbh – Maol Chean Dearg was looking striking (and big
)
As we climbed we started to get some views towards Torridon – yass – this was what I was after
Back to Sgorr Ruadh
Sgorr Ruadh and Fuar Tholl
Finally we reached the bealach and could see our first target, An Ruadh Stac – absolutely spectacular
The route up Maol Chean Dearg
It was windy now we were at the bealach so we dropped a few metres towards the lochan and to find a more sheltered spot and eat some lunch – we’d had such a late start that it was lunch time and we were starving! But the weather was a million times better than my last visit here
Wonderful views down to Beinn Damh
It was time to get going – soon as we got up we were being blown around like crazy and there were some undignified moments as we made our way around the side of the lochan.
Looking back to Maol Chean Dearg
Around the lochan, we clambered up onto the ridge and started making our way up An Ruadh Stac
It was super windy but at least it was easy walking on the slabs
As we climbed we were able to see out to the western edges of the Torridon giants
Once we were off the slabs the gradient increased and the underfoot conditions became much more challenging. On the steepest section we bumped into of Malky’s friends who proudly informed us this was his 200th Corbett
Then just before the summit we were recognised by fellow WalkHighlander Gail
Fuar Tholl
Fuar Tholl & Sgorr Ruadh
Maol Chean Dearg
Although the views towards Torridon itself were incredible from here we realised that we would have to reach Maol Chean Dearg for the truly stunning Torridonian vistas
Incredible views to Beinn Liath Mor and friends
Rum & Skye
Beinn Damh – the northern end of the Trotternish and Harris sticking out behind
Summit of Sgorr Ruadh
Oh my goodness he’s actually smiling
Eigg, Rum & Skye
Beinn Damh, the Graham Beinn na h-Eaglaise with Alligin sticking out behind
Incredible Beinn Alligin
Fuar Tholl and all the hills to the South
It was windy so we enjoyed the views for some time but once we started to get chilly we headed off. It was a horrendous descent to start with – really steep and loose rock are not a great combination for my knees at the moment
Back on the slabs it was much easier underfoot and the wind was starting to drop as well
Maol Chean Dearg across the lochans – were we going up?
We crossed between the lochans, passing some folks setting up camp – we were kind of wishing we’d brought the tent. So long as Malky had carried it of course
We climbed the few metres back up to the bealach and it was decision time…to be fair it was never a decision and we silently agreed to start heading up the steep first section
Looking back to Meall na Ceapairean which would have made a good descent route
It was a fairly brutal climb up the first section but on a good path which made it wonderfully easy compared to An Ruadh Stac! Here the ridge levelled out – in theory easy, but a combination of shattered rock and tired legs meant I was falling around all over the place, entertaining for Malky of course
Looking back down the ridge
An Ruadh Stac
The final climb was back on wonderful Torridonian sandstone – much more grippy and great underfoot and made the steep climb far more enjoyable
The views weren’t bad either
Fuar Tholl with Sgurr na Ceannaichean and Moruisg behind
Nearly there….
Looking back to An Ruadh Stac
Then we were at the summit – the views were just stunning
Liathach and Beinn Eighe
Beinn na h-Eaglaise and Beinn Alligin
Beinn Damh
Rum and Skye
Harris
Torridon panorama
Beinn na h-Eaglaise, Beinn Alligin and Liathach
Beinn Eighe with the Fisherfield hills poking out behind
Slightly better zoom (if only I’d had space for my big lens
)
Beinn Liath Mor and Sgorr Ruadh
Beinn Alligin
Liathach
Me and my Malky
Summit of Maol Chean Dearg
With the wind dropped to an acceptable level we were able to sit and enjoy the early evening light. It was a stunning evening and we really didn’t want to leave
Torridon is one of my favourite places and I’m always surprised that Malky doesn’t come here more often as he lives so close!
One last one for the road….
To avoid retracing our steps and cut off some distance, Malky suggested the East ridge. He promised that it was easy underfoot and it wouldn’t cause me any issues for my knee. I really ought to know better than to trust him
Looking back up
Sgorr Ruadh and some long shadows
Looking across to the fannies
The terrain got steeper and more awkward underfoot – heather and rocks and slippery mud
The crags were impressive though
A last glimpse of An Ruadh Stac
Sgorr Ruadh
Sgurr na Ceathreamhnan
Once down the worst section it was easier walking – lots of slabs and then less heather (hooray!)
Next we had to cross a burn which involved dropping into a bit of a trench but had the advantage of being able to fill our depleted water bottles with beautiful clear mountain water
Looking back into the corrie
Final farewell to Beinn Eighe…
….and Sgorr Ruadh
Soon we were back on the path and setting an impressive pace back down the glen – unfortunately we were missing what looked like an impressive sunset, but hey, we can’t always have it all
Sadly I managed to turn an ankle as I wasn’t concentrating
I assumed it would be sore the next day but seemed to have survived otherwise
The light was going fast (this time of year always seems to come around quickly!) and by the time we were back at the road we weren’t too far from having to get the head torches out!
Even better Malky was driving so I was able to sit back and relax, enjoying the fantastic feeling of a belter of a day on the hills
