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The route up the North Face of Ben Hope gave us a wonderful day out with great scenery on route, excitement on the bad step and pure pleasure on the narrow ridge to the summit.
- The route
We started out from the main Ben Hope carpark at 9:15, in glorious sunshine and followed the main path running alongside the waterfall.
- The start of the path. Ben Hope ahead
When the Allt a Mhuiseil bore north we left the path and continued to follow it along the glen below the steep craggy western face of the mountain.
- Walking under the western face of Ben Hope
I suspect this part of the route would be very boggy in normal conditions but today it is very dry, a faint path comes and goes, there are a few red deer around and we can hear the eerie sound of stags calling (somewhat out of season) from the crags. We passed Duibh Loch na Beinne, and continued around to the northern end of Ben Hope, even the weight of our much reduced, scrambling rack and gear, was heavy enough to notice in the heat.
- The North Ridge comes into view
Luckily there was a burn flowing from the lochan at the base of the ridge so we wouldn't have to go out of our way to fill up the water bottles.
- 12:15 base of the Ridge
The first section of the ridge was broad with easy scrambling, sometimes on good rock but also a lot of steep grass and loose rock to negotiate.
- Steep grass then nice rock
There were a surprising number of wild flowers growing amongst the rock and the views, were stunning.
- Loch na Seilg to the north east
- Loch Hope and out across a misty sea.
- 1:30 the plateau before the bad step.
Time to stop, have lunch and appraise our options.
- Posing on the edge of the west face.
The bad step up the nose was steep, very exposed and looked unprotectable so we traversed about 5m round onto the west face where we identified a route up ledges (about grade three) still very exposed
but protectable with the rope
- A cry of awesome views resounded from the belay
With route finding and ropework it took us about an hour and half to tackle the bad step. The bypass gully would have been much quicker but we rarely let the consideration of speed interfere with our enjoyment
We had topped out at the start of the short narrow ridge leading up to the summit
- Ridge to the summit
- With some more easy but delightful scrambling
- 16:30 on Ben Hope summit
- Summit views to the east.
- Along the ridge to the north west
- Very ready for a brew
17:06 we started our descent following the edge of the east face.
- Stony edge of the east face. Ben Loyal in the distance
Then turned south east just before the small rise to Sail Romascaig and down grassy slopes down to a burn.
We stopped for a drink and some noodles.
Shortly after this we picked up an old eroded path which wove its way down steep grass.
Eventually rejoining the main path alongside the waterfall.
- And back to the road
19:40 and we were back at the car.
Ben Hope had exceeded all our expectations and given us one of our best mountain days.