Awesome Alligin - day 2 WH meet

[Fife Flyer]

I won't bother drawing the route as we almost stuck to the WH track, but more of that later
This was day 2 of the WH autumn/winter meet for me, Tommy, Gill and John however Pete (PeteR) opted to travel north leaving Ayshire just after midnight, well it probably seemed like that
The walk had been planned via FB and we had agreed to start walking at 8am and had a very cunning plan to make the most of the planned forecast. As rain and wind were forecast to arrive at midday, we decided to tackle the walk anti-clockwise which would give us a chance to enjoy the 'Horns'
We met Pete in the large car park and after getting kitted up we set off, John volunteered to lead as he had been here before. However we had a slight navigational mishap and were following the clockwise path, this gave us a chance to go off piste and experience a bit of what the 'Corbeteers' are enjoying
The slight error meant we were on the west side of the burn and we could see the path on the other side, but we still enjoyed trapse through the undergrowth We did encounter an obstacle, a mere deer fence which we didn't need to climb, we manoeuvred ourselves round the overhanging end of the fence

Pre walk pose

Gill enjoying the lack of path

Deer fence & the Horns

Water feature

Interesting right angled turn for the burn

John hugging the fence pole

Sgurr Mor

The horns again

The path splits and so does Tommy

Team photo on the 10 second timer

Now we were back on the main path which was excellent and fairly easy going, however as we got higher the going got tougher and much steeper. It wasn't too long before the poles were packed away and the hands were required assist with scrambling

Gives an indication of steepness

John 'casually' waiting

The way up, Tommy taking a photo of me taking a photo of him

John spoiling a good view

Gill admiring the view uphill

Pete enjoying the surroundings

Arty shot, just about the only time we saw the sun, well some rays

Gives you an idea of what the ascent is like up the shoulder initially

Angle of ascent, the going is now serious and great fun



Looking across to the 2nd summit

Looking north - very impressive

Lower ridge reached

Wow

The pictures tell the story of the ascent up the first horn

A very long way down

Typical Torridon vista - awesome

Above shot zoomed, note the nice wee beach

John leading Gill down

A few action shots now of a small hands on descent

John being given advice by Gill

John gradually descending

Gill's turn



Pete getting ready

Pete trying a different approach







Impressive or what



Weather changing - not for the better!

Not much of a view

Going down now

Gill coming up

2nd Horn (I think)

Looks like a route march

Nice little loch with a beach, not very clear though

Who is this appearing out of the murk?





We were up there

Do views get better than that?

Gairloch zoomed through the clag

Unique, Tom na Gruagaich

Fabulous shot down

The gang admiring the view down



Unfortunately after the above photo the heavens opened and the wind picked up, not that it wasn't windy before and the camera was packed away so that is it photo wise I know my colleagues kept snapping so a few bonus photo's may appear later
The ascent up was "interesting", the first problem was the lack of visibility, we couldn't really see the way ahead. There were a couple of paths, both heading to the summit, by this time we were getting a good soaking, the good news was the hill was partially protecting us from the worst of the wind
The summit was reached where a few photo's were taken (not by me) and then it was time to head downhill. We initially headed off south east - in the wrong direction, mainly because we couldn't see where we were going, this is where modern technology comes into it's own. So we traversed west which enabled us to pick up the well trodden path, the descent path (for us) was pretty relentless, the good news was it was well maintained and consisted of large stones.
When we reached the lower slopes we appeared out of the clag and it was an amazing feeling seeing the way ahead and the weather even improved.
The car park was a welcome sight and it was great to remove the wet boots and the rest of the gear. Whilst we were in the car park a couple of stalkers appeared both with guns, the first one arrived on a quad bike with a deer strapped on the back, apparently already gutted. It was time to drive the one mile or so back to the Youth Hostel and meet the Friday arrivals
To sum up Ben Alligin is a fantastic group of hills and would probably feature in most walkers top ten
A huge thanks to all my colleagues for making the day so memorable, even the grotty weather couldn't ruin it
Next is a long Saturday walk, so watch this space

[tomyboy73]

nice one , are those the horns in your pictures ? I expected them to be more narrow and pointy ?

[PeteR]

A great report Martin

Not quite so sure about the action shots of me making a baboons backside of that short down climb by the way I'll post my reports up eventually, and will try to put a positive spin on that little episode

[tommyatr]

Cheers for a great day out Martin, gill, John and Pete. Probably one of my most enjoyable days out until coming down of the second when my feet cried enough, even the soaking didn't bother me.

[martin.h]

It looks like you had a good weekend Martin and you did manage to get some views from Alligin, a bonus considering the forecast. If we do Alligin again we'll do it your way round, it looks interesting.
Torridon is a unique and special place, Its good to see the weather behaved and you all had a good do
Cheers.

[BlackPanther]

One of the best Munros in Scotland and even better when done with friends

Going up the Horns first is steep as hell but the scrambling fun makes up for all the pain!

[Tomsie]

Thanks for a good day , saw a little more than the first time up here , and that walk after second Munro was as bad as the last time, those boulder steps are just to big

Was no one listening to The Rodmeister giving directions night before, to go back over the bridge