Never before have I had a WHOLE WEEK in Scotland of bright blue skies, windless calm and crystal clear views. (and probably won't ever have one again in my lifetime!). So we made the most of it!
As usual, my lack of organisational prowess means that this first report is actually of Day 2. Oh well who cares. We drove towards Loch Quoich and soon had an appetite-whetting view westwards along Loch Garry towards Gairich and the hills behind it.
IMG_6781 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrClose up of the enticing hills...
IMG_6789 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAs a boy I noticed Sgurr a'Mhaoraich in an old Atlas and thought "I bet that mountain has a good view". Many years later, I bought the SMC's Munros book which says "The road westwards along Loch Quoich runs below three fine mountains which are among the easiest ascents in the Western Highlands."
So the oddly-named Shellfish Mountain was very much in my mind as the hill we should do on a fine-weather day of our week at Invergarry. But for the moment, I was just enjoying the views across the loch to Gairich.
IMG_6806 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrNearing our parking spot, we encountered some pedestrians crossing...
IMG_6822 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe parking spot overlooked blue waters sparkling in the sunshine.
IMG_6827 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrOff we go.
IMG_6858 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe path to Sgurr a'Mhaoraich is a true delight - well-graded and effortless to walk up. We could concentrate on admiring the views (and mentally blotting out the pylons).
IMG_6938 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe scenery all around was just about as good as scenery could be -
IMG_6874 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrBut paradoxically, with almost every step, it kept getting better - more hills popping into view.
IMG_6941 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
IMG_6907 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAnd more...
IMG_6954 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickrand Loch Quoich looking bigger and bluer all the time.
IMG_6922 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrWe reached a bank of snow. After our floundering about in a deep snowdrift the previous day, we
approached this with caution - but it was no problem at all.
IMG_6962 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrWe were soon at the high point on the curve of the ridge. The map gives this the very grand name of Sgurr Coire nan Eiricheallach but apparently it has no status as a Top, a Corbett or anything. However it is a fantastic viewpoint. I took the opportunity to model my workplace's charity t-shirt.
IMG_7003 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrBeyond this point, the ridge dips, then rises grandly towards the summit of Sgurr a'Mhaoraich.
IMG_7033 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAt this point we were passed by a more speedy and nimble couple. We watched ahead, because we could see that, much like the previous day on Sgurr nan Conbhairean, our good path suddenly disappeared into a large bank of snow before the final rise to the summit. How would the two walkers deal with it? We saw one of them try to make his way across - then turn back amid waist-deep snow. He then scrambled up the rocks above the snowdrifts and on towards the summit. Aha, so that was the way to do it!
As we approached the snow-bank, the ridge became increasingly interesting, with little pinnacles and drops to peer down.
IMG_7055 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAt this point two of our party decided to wait on the top of a little peak while the other two (including me) went on to the summit. Looking back to their eyrie...
IMG_7070 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAfter clambering along the crest of the ridge (assisted at times by remains of old fenceposts bolted into the rocks) we reached a short steep slope of firm snow, with a great view back along our ridge.
IMG_7087 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAnd there ahead of us was the summit!
IMG_7183 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAs I guessed from that old Atlas long ago, the Shellfish Mountain has an amazing view. Undoubtedly
one of my favourite mountain-tops: I will always remember it.
IMG_7110 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLooking back to Loch Quoich
IMG_7125 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe cairn...
IMG_7105 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrNorth west towards Kintail
IMG_7127 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrBen Nevis and friends
IMG_7165 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLenticular clouds to the south
IMG_7176 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAnd above Sgurr na Ciche
IMG_7172 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrBeinn Sgritheall and Skye
IMG_7182 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLadhar Bheinn and Loch Hourn
IMG_7094 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrAs Nelly Furtado reminds up, all good things have to come to an end... and our two friends were waiting for us below. Ice-axes in hand we descended, and spotted that our friends had moved on down to a point on the stalker's path high above Loch Quoich. Views ahead were still glorious.
IMG_7185 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe last little bit of scrambling lay ahead -
IMG_7194 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrDescending a bank of snow, very slushy now!
IMG_7215 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrEverything was still looking beautiful: a late afternoon golden glow.
IMG_7223 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLast bits of the descent: feeling mellow after a brilliant day on the hill. A day I'll never forget.
IMG_7245 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrLoch Quoich still and mirror-like below us.
IMG_7330 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrEven the pylons brought a certain je ne sais quoi to the scene.
IMG_7362 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrOn the drive back we saw some more of the Deer that this road is famous for.
IMG_7391 by Half Man Half Titanium, on FlickrThe Monarch of the Glen is alive and well at Loch Quoich. Until someone shoots him.
IMG_7388 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr
