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Where to start, I am still buzzing after 2 awesome days in Torridon, I dread to think how many times we just stood in amazement drooling at surrounding scenery
Firstly I have to say a HUGE thank you to Martin & Denise for arranging such un-Scotland like weather and then inviting anyone who fancied joining them. As usual I checked the forecast, I was almost tempted to head up on Sunday to join them for Slioch and am glad I didn't, as the forecast was correct and by all accounts it was worse than miserable. I will let Martin tell that story
Now as we all know Torridon isn't exactly handy for the majority of us and when I checked the mileage and the estimated travelling time, I knew it would be a middle of the night departure
I set the alarm for 4.45am, however one of Fiona's dogs was barking to summon her downstairs at 4.15, I had hardly slept having read quite a few WR's, so I got up & was on the road before 4.45. Only 3hrs 45mins of driving and my Satnav kept me right. I had arranged to meet Martin & Denise at the start point between 8.30 & 9am and was there early (as usual). As I was early I was going to get myself ready, but as soon as I opened the car door I was invaded by swarms of our favourite little friends. So that plan was put on hold.
I sent Martin a text to let him know I had arrived & his car appeared on the horizon a short time later. In the meantime I was working out the best and quickest way I could get kitted up, first priority was to make myself smell nice - I literally covered any exposed skin with the Avon stuff
When Martin & Denise arrived they told me we had extra company for the day Graham (Graham H) who was staying in the Youth Hostel, so we both headed there. I was reluctant to vacate my car so Martin headed off to search for Graham.
We had a brief discussion regarding the vehicular positioning, as the last thing we wanted to do was to walk the 2km or whatever it is along the road after the days stroll
Martin was going to leave his nice clean car at the finish & we would leave mine at the start - sorted
By 9.30 we were on our way, me not at all scared of Midges trusting in my nice smelling stuff to keep them at bay, whereas the rest of the gang were dressed like beekeepers - proper feardies
Sensible attire?
The way ahead/up, note the cloud
Time to remove the fancy dress as the temperature/humidity was rising rapidly
Just follow the path
The start of the walk is about 50yds along the road and it is just a matter of following the path upwards and upwards. The going was pretty relentless and as there was no wind we were at the mercy of our little friends, so stopping was not really an option. However, when you are perspiring profusely and gasping for breath we had to stop, especially as Graham was galloping uphill
As with all walks the views behind were opening up and it wasn't too long before we entered the cloud
We were kind of fearing the worst, but deep down we knew the weather forecasts are always accurate
By this stage we were all down to our baselayer and it wasn't too long before gaiters were removed and packed away, they definitely weren't needed
DSCF4669 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
The last photo before we entered the cloud
DSCF4671 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
Not quite sure what Martin's plans were, maybe he was contemplating going up the direct route
DSCF4672 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
Graham looking down on us
DSCF4673 by
https://www.flickr.com/photos/126167535@N05/,
Our first view on top of the cloud
Just before we reached the bealach we popped out of the cloud and WOW, for anyone who has never seen an inversion it really is something to behold. The cloud filled all the glens like a huge layer of cotton wool and all we could see were the summits it really is an awesome experience, the last time I had the pleasure was on Ben Starav and that was a truly memorable day too
Once on the bealach we all reached for our camera's and were pointing them in every possible direction, it was there we also had our first Brocken Spectre, we were to have quite a few along the ridge and like inversions are quite rare too
It doesn't get much better than that
A little peek at what lies ahead
Brocken Spectre, always difficult to catch, as I presume there is nothing substantial to focus on
Only noticed this when I uploaded the photo's
Photo's & more photo's
Amazing
The way ahead - Eeek
We decided to head to the eastern top first as it seemed rather daft not to get an even better view of Beinn Eighe. So after what seemed like a few minutes we on top of Stuc a' Choire Dhuibh Bhig
The views were jaw dropping and we were running out of superlatives
[img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5635/21078273939_2284702b93_k.jpg[/img
Beinn Eighe
The way ahead
One of the 'nice' problems of pointing and shooting in so many directions and all you see is little pointy bits, it is nigh on impossible to remember not only what direction you were looking and exactly which summits they are
I am bad enough identifying hills when I can the whole of them, so when only the very top is on view - nae chance
Reluctantly we had to move off the top and make our way to the serious stuff
On the descent back down to the bealach we met up with Alistair and Alex who would join up with us a bit further along the ridge, thanks for your company guys hope the stalking went well
The western end of Beinn Eighe and the path in/out can be seen to the left
Spotted a couple of walkers on the path to Beinn Eighe so I zoomed in
Me spoiling a fantastic backdrop of Alligin
Martin photographing Graham
Beinn Eighe again
Graham posing before the ascent
Martin trying to smile
From the bealach it was a matter of following the path, there are plenty of opportunities to make the traverse as easy or as difficult as you want. Graham opted to tackle a few extra scrambly bits, however we were able to assist by advising him the best route down, from below. Safety in numbers is always a great thing
Alistair and Alex catching us up
What a pair of posers
Looking back towards the west top
This kind of highlights the options, you can follow the path or go over the top - so to speak
Alistair and Alex (again)
Martin posing whilst Denise struggles in the background
Guesses on a postcard
All smiles on top of Spidean
The view across to the next summit
Northern pinnacles zoomed
Cloud constantly moving
An Teallach
An Teallach zoomed
After rather along time we had to move and the next stage was the section we were kind of dreading, we had already decided to go high (so to speak) as the eroded bypass path sounded an even worse option
Because we knew things were about to get serious, the poles were put away and as my camera is rather bulky that was packed away as well. Having said that, the scrambling turned out to be very easy, it does help when you can see the way ahead and the rocks are bone dry and give excellent grip
Graham opting to go the scenic way, Alistair & Alex supervising
No words needed
Alex looking down and contemplating the easy way
How big?
Denise about to head up
Graham having fun
Alistair surveying the way up
This shot highlights the exposure
The way ahead, easy peasy
Looking back
Looking south
Looking north, note the crazy paving, almost like a patio surface
Group photo on the summit, lovely blue sky
After what turned out to be a much easier than expected traverse we reached the 2nd summit
Yet again we seemed to spend ages just taking in the views, there was hardly any wind and it was a perfect afternoon to be on top of one Scotland's finest summits. It really seemed a shame that we had to head down, especially as we knew the initial part of the descent wasn't going to be an awful lot of fun
The way down, if you look carefully you can see the path, when descending you can't miss it
Looking across to the lower slopes of Beinn Eighe & a gorgeous Lochan
Lochan zoomed
Looking down on Torridon village
Looking out to sea
Northern Pinnacles
Ben Alligin
Water feature on the descent, not much water though
Looking back up, goodbye Liathach - I will be back
The descent wasn't quite as bad as feared, the loose scree was quite badly eroded but not too difficult.
After 8 hours of constant joy, apart from the midges, we arrived back at Martin's car. Martin being a good egg also gave Alistair a lift back to the start to save the pair of them plodding back along the road
Days in the hills don't get much better than that, hopefully the photo's do Liathach justice. As stated earlier a massive thanks to Martin & Denise, without their post I would probably have been stuck in Fife
To Alistair and Alex great to meet you both, hopefully next time you head north of the Border you will let us know
Next - Beinn Liath Mhor & Sgorr Ruadh, watch this space
