Nice day on Ben Damh

[BlackPanther]

I'm just back from my daily jogging - another bright sunny Thursday and all I could do was running up to Lovat Bridge and back So I thought I'll update my walks diary today. A few days ago I posted the story of an accidental climb to Sgor Ruadh - now it's time for another Torridon hill just around the corner from the above mentioned
We climbed Ben Damh in October last year - the day was lovely, with blue sky and some breeze, perfect walking conditions. The most popular route up the mountain starts from the car park walk behind the Torridon Inn. Just around the corner of the road we dived to the left to follow a well-maintained path through rhododendrons. I tried to imagine how it must look in spring with all these shrubs covered in flowers...
The path goes steeply through the woods along the gorge, and at the height of about 200m we took a 5 min break to have a look at a pretty high waterfall (there is a "viewpoint" just off the main path).

Waterfall

Once out of the woods, we could fully appreciate the scenery around us - including the familliar shapes of Beinn Alligin and Liathach:

Beinn Allilgin

Liathach

In good weather conditions navigation on Beinn Damh presents no challenge as there is a path all the way to the top of the ridge. The quality of the described path is another matter, though. As we charged the hill, Kevin claimed that the most appropiate name for the mountain would be Beinn DAMP, according to all the muddy and boggy ground Still, nothing that a stubborn cat couldn't conquer and within a short time we were standing on the broad ridge between Sgurr na Bana Mhoraire and Beinn Damh itself. And I felt like meowing again!

Loch Damh in the morning sun

Loch Damh again - views to north west

Kevin testing his camera :)

Once we finished all the camera-picture business we headed straight towards the stony bulk of Beinn Damh. The path was relatively good to start with but soon it disappeared and we simply walked across the ridge, leaving the first top (868m) to our left. The route was a bit stony but still enjoyable.

Sgurr na Bana Mhoraire from the northern slopes of Beinn Damh

After a couple of km the final target came into view:

The target :)))

The final push uphill was rocky and quite steep, certainly not for somebody suffering from vertigo. But when we arrived on the summit, our effort was rewarded with fantastic views of Torridon around us

Looking west from the summit

Loch Torridon and Beinn Alligin

Maol Chean-dearg (to the right)

The ridge of Beinn Damh from the summit

I felt like on top of the world... Clouds didn't bother me at alll :))

After spending about 30 minutes on the top we retraced our steps back down. We didn't hurry that much - it was such a shame to leave this magnificent torridonian world...
So beware Torridon hills - I'll be back

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[rocket-ron]

Fantasic report and photo's. I have bee wantign to climb this hill since last year . When i seen it from Maol Chean-dearg

[gammy leg walker]

Stunning pictures,cant wait till I hopfully get up to this area later in the year

[Alastair S]

Another Torridon stunner - crackin' report there BP

[Graeme D]

So beware Torridon hills - I'll be back

Sound like a great motto and philosophy for life! Great report there BP - had me sitting here dreaming of hazy summer morning vistas from the tops of mountains, with that certain feeling in the air that it's just going to be an absolute belter of a day! I missed Torridon last year - surely I cannae go a second summer without getting back up there.

[ChrisW]

Love this report and pics, particularly like the shot of 'Maol Chean-dearg' - fantastic

[Merry-walker]

Exquisite pics and report

[Sad Wolfie]

Must get out and do this route. No excuses now, since my in-laws have recently moved to the Torridon area.

[2dalmatians]

Great report - the "target picture" is making me nervous from here!

[pollyh33]

Hi BP,

Loved your report. Fantastic photos. So pleased that you had great weather to enjoy your adventure.