Slioch, well worth waiting for.

[martin.h]

This is my first report using Flickr for the photos, I hope it looks ok.

Slioch take One, 6.9.15.
This was our first intended mountain on our holiday to Kinlochewe. We'd arranged to meet up with Graham on the Sunday and after a couple of texts to say we'd arrived etc the time was set for a 9:00am start in Incheril.
Well Sunday dawned to low cloud a strong breeze and rain, but we decided to set off at least and see what happened.
Well, after a few wrong turns we eventually arrived in the corrie below the summit in thick mist, rain and a strong wind, with this and the knowledge we had at least another 400m of ascent it was mutually agreed to bin it and go back, well, what's the point in getting to top of one of the finest mountains in Scotland and have no views?

Claggy mmmm.

It's over there, I think.

More mist.

Suprising what a difference 100m of descent makes

Midge protection.

Nice flower, don't know what it is tho'.

Slioch take Two, 10.9.15.
According to the forecast, Thursday of our week was going to be a cracker and having spent a teriffic day on Liathach with Martin and Graham on Monday and then on Beinn Liath Mor and Sgorr Ruadh with Martin on Tuesday we decided to have another crack at Slioch on Thursday this time with Stuart who had replied to my post on the meeting up section.

Thursday dawned to beautiful blue skies a light breeze (in the glens anyway) with the odd cloud flitting about.
We arranged with Stuart to meet at Incheril at 8:30 which we did and after the introductions and the usual swearing at the midges episode we were off on the path alongside the river.
It's a long walk in but pleasant enough and after an hour we were crossing the bridge over the Abhainn an Fhasaigh and started the climb up.
DSC01062 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Denise and Stuart taking a rest.

DSC01063 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Denise and I, Loch Maree and Beinn Eighe.

DSC01064 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Action shot.
DSC01065 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Lovely views.
[/url]DSC01066 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01067 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Another action shot.

More Views
DSC01068 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

Once in the corrie we could see the way to go and what a contrast to Sunday, wow what a place, the path was plain enough and we could see the route ahead, no guessing this time.
DSC01069 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Looking to the summit area, still a way to go.

DSC01070 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
The last objective, but we've still to get there.

After the first climb out of the corrie we arrived at the two lochans and had a break,
DSC01071 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
On the way up to the Lochans, Stuart trailblazing.
DSC01073 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
The surroundings from the path.

looking around we saw an ideal wild camp spot close to the first lochan and not far from the path, I bet it's great up there on a warm summers night.
DSC01074 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Great campsite.
DSC01075 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01076 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

The next section is plain enough due to the eroded path, just keep following the scree path up and you finally, without much effort reach the first top from which the way to the Trig pillar is plain enough.
DSC01077 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Views on the way up to the first top.
DSC01078 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01079 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01080 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01081 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01082 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01084 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01085 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01086 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

When the trig pillar is reached you can see the summit proper a short distance to the north, we saw some of the ferel goats on the hillside just below the summit from the trig point, most of them were keeping a watchful eye on us.

From the trig.
DSC01087 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01088 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01090 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Goats

DSC01091 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Being watched.

DSC01093 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
The true summit.

At the summit we had great views of Loch Maree, a lot of Torridon, Fisherfield, An Teallach, The Fannichs etc etc etc.
DSC01095 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Denise on the summit.

DSC01096 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Stuart and Denise on the summit

Now some views.
DSC01097 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01098 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
to Fisherfield.

DSC01099 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Down to Loch Maree.

DSC01100 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Towards the Atlantic.

DSC01101 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01103 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01104 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
An Teallach.

We could see Sgurr an Tuill Bhain our next objective and after a good half hour on the summit having lunch and taking photos we set off towards it.
DSC01094 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Next objective.

DSC01108 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

The wind had got up by now and it was pretty strong but with the views nothing could dampen the spirits and we reached the top of Sgurr an Tuill Bhain about a half hour later.

DSC01109 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
Looking back to the main summit from Sgurr an Tuill Bhain.

And some views before we started the descent.
DSC01110 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01111 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
DSC01112 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

An Teallach.
DSC01113 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr

Fisherfield.
DSC01114 by Martin Hawer, on Flickr
From this top there's a path dropping into the corrie, its rough but we were soon on the corrie floor and picking up the path taking us back down the mountain.
The descent is tiring over bouldery ground but once at the bridge the walk back is straight forward enough but we knew what it was like so heads down and we marched back taking 50 minutes to get back, I think it was the thought of a cool can of Lager back at the cottage that spurred us on, well, me and Stuart, Denise doesn't need such incentive.
It was a great day out, we did well for the weather and I'm pleased we managed to meet up with Stuart.
We all enjoyed the day and thanks very much to Stuart for his company.
This was our last trip to the Highlands in 2015, what a glorious week we had, many thanks to Martin, Graham and Stuart for their company, they made a great week even better.

Cheers and roll on 2016.

[dogplodder]

Slioch is an awesome mountain and your photos are great!

[Silverhill]

Stunning hill, stunning pictures!
I hope I will have equally good weather when I get round to this one. It would be such a shame to not see those views. Good shot to leave it till later in the week!

[martin.h]

Slioch is an awesome mountain and your photos are great!

Thank you dp, yes, it's an impressive sight, especially when you see it from the Gairloch side.
When I first saw it, yonks ago, I simply stood at the side of the road and stared at it for ages and then used a whole
24 exp roll of film trying to get the perfect shot.
It's a great mountain.

Stunning hill, stunning pictures!
I hope I will have equally good weather when I get round to this one. It would be such a shame to not see those views. Good shot to leave it till later in the week!

Thanks Silverhill, I hope you get the good weather for this one, it's worth waiting for, we were lucky
because the forecast for our week was spot on and we could pick and choose our days.
I hope it's similar for your turn.

[Petr Dakota]

Hi Martin,
great views and Photos
Good decision to go there again after the first misty day
Glad you had a good holiday in Torridon, worthy mountains especially Liathach and Slioch in good weather
As I said before, my plan is the second half of september to go there, but the weather changed to rain again and mist expectation How doable is the Liathach in wet conditions ? ( We will go there in case of good visibility for the views, but probably can't avoid the wetness on the rock for scrambling ).
Petr

[martin.h]

Hi Martin,
great views and Photos
Good decision to go there again after the first misty day
Glad you had a good holiday in Torridon, worthy mountains especially Liathach and Slioch in good weather
As I said before, my plan is the second half of september to go there, but the weather changed to rain again and mist expectation How doable is the Liathach in wet conditions ? ( We will go there in case of good visibility for the views, but probably can't avoid the wetness on the rock for scrambling ).
Petr

Hi Petr,
We were very lucky with the weather, 5 day's of sunshine on the trot is very rare indeed
I think somebody with your capabilities would easily manage the scrambly bits on Liathach even when it's wet, the bypass path would be a bit iffy compared to the rock so just a wee bit more care would see you over the pinnacles.
Thanks, and I hope you manage it, Liathach is a great mountain.
I look forward to your report,
Cheers.

[Petr Dakota]

Hi Martin,
great views and Photos
Good decision to go there again after the first misty day
Glad you had a good holiday in Torridon, worthy mountains especially Liathach and Slioch in good weather
As I said before, my plan is the second half of september to go there, but the weather changed to rain again and mist expectation How doable is the Liathach in wet conditions ? ( We will go there in case of good visibility for the views, but probably can't avoid the wetness on the rock for scrambling ).
Petr

Hi Petr,
We were very lucky with the weather, 5 day's of sunshine on the trot is very rare indeed
I think somebody with your capabilities would easily manage the scrambly bits on Liathach even when it's wet, the bypass path would be a bit iffy compared to the rock so just a wee bit more care would see you over the pinnacles.
Thanks, and I hope you manage it, Liathach is a great mountain.
I look forward to your report,
Cheers.

Thank you Martin, you gave me more hope to do it... Also hope for some views...as the weather forecast is not the best
Cheers

[litljortindan]

Great set of pictures.

[Alteknacker]

What fabulous weather you had - with views to die for! Verily, this is what we live for!

[ancancha]

So good you got nice weather and views

[malky_c]

Yes, u think I prefer your second effore . Looks like a good day. Can't believe Slioch is an hour away but I've only been up it once

[stuartmcgeown]

Hi Martin

Just noticed this report with me included hah

Very good pictures and indeed was a fabulous day and walk.


Thanks again for the facilities afterwards


Hope to meet up again in the future

thanks
stuart

[martin.h]

Great set of pictures.

Thank you litljortindan, it was one of those days when the camera wasn't put back in its pouch

What fabulous weather you had - with views to die for! Verily, this is what we live for!

Hi Alteknacker, I couldn't agree more, life wouldn't be the same without the mountains

So good you got nice weather and views

Thanks ancancha, We couldn't ask for better, it was a great week

Yes, u think I prefer your second effore . Looks like a good day. Can't believe Slioch is an hour away but I've only been up it once

Thanks malky, Just an hour away, you lucky so and so

Hi Martin

Just noticed this report with me included hah

Very good pictures and indeed was a fabulous day and walk.


Thanks again for the facilities afterwards


Hope to meet up again in the future

thanks
stuart

Hi Stuart,
Thanks, it was a good day and we were glad of your company, it seems a distant memory now
but we've got five trips booked for 2016 to look forward to, I'll keep you posted
Cheers.

[Mountainlove]

Well worth the wait that's for sure. Slioch is a great mountain and it looks like that you had a great day! Lovely set of photos as well!!

[litljortindan]

Great set of pictures.