Sail Mhor (Somewhat Icy!)

[malky_c]

I was going to write up a report on deepest Fisherfield next, as inspired by Foggieclimber's 2010 wish list, but I've had this one drafted for some time. Much simpler just to add photos to this and post it up. I'll do the (proper remote) Fisherfield one next though.

Was working over at Aultbea, and had a couple hours of daylight spare on the way back. I've spent quite a few days working over at Aultbea over the previous couple of years (new sewer network going in there), but I'd never got around to climbing Sail Mhor, despite intending to several times.

Parked up at Ardessie after lunch, and started ascending the stalkers path up the corrie. Weather calm and clear, but very cold, and all of the exposed rocky parts of the path were layered in ice.

Crossed the burn at the top of the steep section and headed W toward the summit. This was a rather direct route and pretty steep, and there was hard snow on the ground. It was fairly straightforward for the most part, but I needed to cut a few steps with my axe towards the top. A short stroll over the summit plateau took me to the cairn.

Views completely surpassed what I was expecting. Not so much toward An Teallach, which doesn't show its most impressive parts in this direction, but out over Little Loch Broom, the Summer Isles and Coigach. The low sun helped (it was about 3pm by now).

The Beinn Deargs (more on those another time)

The less exciting side of An Teallach

View NE

Little Loch Broom and Summer Isles

Beinn Ghobhlach and Ben More Coigach

Aultbea and Loch Ewe

Descended to the S, which was a pleasant arete, easy even in these conditions. Heading back E to the Ardessie burn was less fun though, a mixture of frozen bog and almost frozen bog. Between sliding around and breaking through the crust, I made it back to the road shortly after dark.

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[Milesy]

Nice. The picture with the cairn is brilliant.

[Graeme D]

Nice. The picture with the cairn is brilliant.

Yep, that one's a belter isn't it!

[hailiamdigby]

Hi Malky.
I did this one today and it was icy for me too.
Like you, I clambered up a similar way, up a rock-strewn opening amongst the upper cliffs.
The icy issues I had were down in the glen, when I was walking back out.
The rocks in the river had some ice coverings but it was the grass on the path that I found the most hazardous.
It was stiff with ice and difficult to predict where was safe to walk.
I slipped a few times and even had a 5-foot unplanned fall, due to some erosion giving way under my feet

[Collaciotach]

Some nice colors in that photo ...good catch ón a shórt time loop