The Walkhighland Meet and reaching 100 on Sgorr Ruadh

[Mountainlove]

This years Spring Meet was challenged by wild fires, one of the longest winters in years and temperatures which were far less than to be desired at the time of the year. But regardless of everything, a lot of people had turned up to the far away village of Kinlochewe, to meet like minded people and sample the local whiskies, ales and lagers...
Well at least that was on their mind, while groups of people walked up a good selection of some of the most spectacular Munros Torridon has to offer.

Sgorr Ruadh and Beinn Liath Mhor

A group of 11+1 of us arranged time to meet for Fridays walk at 10:00 at the starting point for Beinn Liath Mhor and Sgorr Ruadh
The sun was shining and everyone had enough gear packed to survive the coldest winter temperatures known in Scotland. Ice Axes, crampons and 4 layers of clothing meant that we were well equipped, or so we though. Luckily with so many people, a few forgotten or broken items were soon borrowed from others. One person who shall not be named decided to leave us before we even managed to cross the road

So the magnificent 10+1 set off and soon came to a bit of the walk were the question rose- left or right? Sheepishly most of us had to admit that we all had trusted on the other, to know the walk and read up about it. Just as well a few had done so and so we managed to find the right way . Ritchie the dog (the +1) decided to head for a bath and soon most of us had to cram the layers into the already bursting full backpacks...it was rather warm and sunglasses were digged out from the bottom of the bags!

The steep climb up the first top, took a while and some of the most spectacular views only Torridon can offer were in front of us.
We reached the cairn, thinking we had climbed the first Munro (too much talking meant no one really paid any attention at all ) and when it became clear we were yet miles , or better to say another 2 peaks away from the real top) a moan escaped some lips ...weren't Walkhighland meets not supposed to be easy?

We all discussed the option to climb Fuar Tholl, but looking at it, only 2 brave souls decided to set off together and leave us (the lazy lot) behind to climb it as well. Not that any of us minded to admit defeat. - after all the pub and cold beer was waiting!

The snow was still thick in places and care was needed when we descended the cliffs. You would have thought that a bunch of experienced hill walkers, are the ones who would know when to put crampons on..but on slopes were individual most of us would have stopped for ice axe and crampons, we set off with nothing.
Ice axes were left securely strapped to backpacks and like sheep we descended down the hill and up the next. Needless to say if one would have slipped and started rolling down the hill, he or she would have taken all the other ones with them , but somehow no one said a thing. Obviously we discussed at numerous times, that an ice axe should have been used- after we just crossed yet another less than secure part of the walk. So at least we all knew were were doing the wrong thing

Finally after a 4h walk with plenty of brakes, we reached Beinn Liath Mhor. What a long way to reach a Munro , but the views were spectacular.
Reluctant we set off the long decent . The path soon disappeared underneath the snow and we managed to split up, to find individual paths down the hill. I guess I managed to find one of the most difficult ones, down a wall (but at least with good handhold ...not advisable if you ask me

The last Munro Sgorr Ruadh would be my 100th Munro and the other gave me the lead. I never thought that reaching 100 Munros would be such a milestone for me. When I climbed up the slopes I thought back about the first Munro I had climbed so many years ago and the ones which followed, sometimes years apart. Some I was dragged upon, swearing, sweating and hating them, until I saw the views and all was forgotten.
I was over the moon when I reached the top of my 100th Munro and the views were more than spectacular. A day I could not have wished for any better than it was. The others soon followed and after some congratulations, we shared a sip of whisky and started heading down...the beer was waiting!

The last part of the walk ...or the walk down to the pub, meant that the men folks found new energy while us women stayed back for a leisurely walk and a chat.
In the hotel the only down side was the food...no Fastfood?! I might agree on a day to day basis, but hungry hillwalkers who just walked for 9.5h want huge piles of everything greasy and tasty, washed down with beer.
But regardless of the food the 2 evenings which followed were fun filled with many stories told, a fantastic pub quiz and lots of laughs and booze.

One of the many wild fires..the extreme way to get rid of the snow

Meeting at the car park

The rather strange fence and opening to let hill walkers through

On the way up

It is a steep way down - or up

The professional way to take a group photo

The views...Awwwwww

The group

One of the many way downs...before we had to climb up again

Views...Awwwww

Just lovely

100

Fuar Tholl

Looking back...Awwwwww

The walk back

Us girls

Waiting for us women to arrive...or an excuse to rest

In the pub...the mad hill walkers of the Walkhighland Website...well a selection anyway

[SAVAGEALICE]

well done on reaching 100 looks like good times were had ..love the views from BLM towards Torridon ..looks like more girlies need to make it to the next meet!

[SusieThePensioner]

Congratulations on reaching that 100
Looks like a fantastic day and some wonderful views

[The Rodmiester]

First things first, Congratulations on you hitting 100 and good weather and company to boot The WH group looks to have had another successful and fun weekend. Some cracking photographs there.

[balgonie]

Well done mountainlove on your 100th Munro.
Great report and pics to match

[Johnny Corbett]

Well done, 2 great hills.

[kevsbald]

Alles zusammen......Wunderbar!

I'm sure it won't be long before you're holding up a sign with zwei hundert, zwei and achtzig....phew.

[David-Main]

Well done on the 100 mountainlove Great report and a great time had by all

[pigeon]

What a great way to get your 100th Mountainlove,well done and all the best for the rest

[trekker53]

Well done ML in getting to 100. Sorry me and Graeme couldn't be there for that but Fuar Tholl had to be ascended. Here's to your next 100. Charlie

[ceaser]

congratulations on the 100 ML ,fantastic hill ,and day to get it on ,we had the exact same conditions the week before ,when Fi got her 200th on the same hill

[old danensian]

Well done with the report - great to see those views again.

I can only add a couple more - as well of those of Graeme searching on his knees for a mountain Mecca

Keith poses to the backdrop of the Torridon hills - or was it the other way round?

Bod's secret weapon powers (or pulls) him up the last few metres

Here's to your next hundred.

OD

[mrssanta]

Well done, and what a brilliant day!

[laconic surf]

Great report of a great day ML.
Congratulations on the 100, glad I was there to share it with you
Lucas

[PeteR]

Congratulations on the 100

A superb round of hills on which to achieve it too So glad you all had such great weather for this one