I'd previously taken a solo trip to the far north back in June to do the four most northerly Munro's, however the weather dictated that only 2 would be completed (Conival & Ben More Assynt).
Fast forward to Sept where issues with the accommodation for my mountaineering club's Sept meet in the Lake District meant that we had an late minute change of plan.
I'd suggested a trip to the far north previously, so one of our other members suggested we take advantage of the situation and head there instead of trying to find alternative accommodation in the Lakes.
Mike (our vice chair) had just taken custody of a new camper van and offered it up as accommodation and transport for the trip, long term club member Kirsty also asked to join us, we set of on the Friday at noon from Glasgow and reached our parking spot at the foot of Ben Klibreck by 7pm
We had an early night and set our alarm for 5am, once we were organised and had had breakfast we set off at 6am up the hill in the darkness with our head torches.
Within an hour we reached the first cairn
The sun was starting to rise and we were being treated to a beautiful red sunrise.
The cloud formations on the hill were amazing to watch, the views were fantastic too, from The Minch in the West to the Moray Firth in the East and Orkney and the Pentland Firth in the North.
We reached the summit by 9:30am and had a bite to eat while taking in the views before decending and reaching the camper van by 12pm.
We had lunch in the camper van then set off on the arduous journey along a single track road before reaching Ben Hope at 2:30pm, after a quick change of breeks (Klibreck had been very boggy) we set off up the hill.
The ascent is very steep and quick and surprisingly easier on our legs than Klibreck had been, we reached the summit in just over 2 hours.
We had hoped to spend the Sat night in Ullapool but with the prospect of a 3 hour journey ahead (and being thoroughly knackered) we decided on staying in Durness, the evening weather was warm despite the northerly latitude, and after a well deserved dinner and pint of lovely we retired for the evening.
The next morning we awoke to the most beautiful sunrise
On the way back down South the weather wasn't so nice as had been but we stopped of for a scramble on Stac Pollaidh before spending the evening in Ullapool.
The view on waking up was just as spectacular are the day before
We set off for home on the last day of our long weekend and meandered down the A835 & A82 before stopping off at the Clachaig
It was a fantastic weekend and we were all still buzzing from it for the following week
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Long Weekend in the Far North
Long Weekend in the Far North
by smalltounboy » Thu Oct 06, 2016 5:58 pm
Munros included on this walk: Ben Hope, Ben Klibreck
Grahams included on this walk: Stac Pollaidh
Date walked: 17/09/2016
1 person thinks this report is great. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).Re: Long Weekend in the Far North
by rockhopper » Mon Oct 10, 2016 12:39 pm
that looked a god trip - nice sunrise and some atmospheric clouds too - cheers 

Re: Long Weekend in the Far North
by litljortindan » Mon Oct 10, 2016 10:05 pm
Some great pictures there. A good decision to switch from the Lakes.
Re: Long Weekend in the Far North
by Jaxter » Tue Oct 11, 2016 9:55 am
It's just awesome up there isn't it, glad you got the weather for it
Your Durness sunrise photo is awesome
Looks like you may have had one too many at the Clachaig....or mebbe the photo just needs turned



Your Durness sunrise photo is awesome

Looks like you may have had one too many at the Clachaig....or mebbe the photo just needs turned



Re: Long Weekend in the Far North
by kev_russ » Tue Oct 11, 2016 12:39 pm
Braw pics Mark ma Twitter pal
Need to get maself up North next year.

Re: Long Weekend in the Far North
by smalltounboy » Thu Oct 13, 2016 2:17 pm
kev_russ wrote:Braw pics Mark ma Twitter palNeed to get maself up North next year.
Cheers, ideally it would be great to have someone with you who is not interested in climbing but wouldn't mind doing the driving, you are pretty restricted by what routes you can take if you need to get back to your starting point, Ben More Assnyt & Conival would be great as an East to West traverse ending at Inchnadamph
Re: Long Weekend in the Far North
by smalltounboy » Thu Oct 13, 2016 2:20 pm
Jaxter wrote:Looks like you may have had one too many at the Clachaig:
It's great when you've already done your stint at driving and you spot the sign for the Clachaig #liquidlunch
Re: Long Weekend in the Far North
by teaandpies » Fri Feb 03, 2017 11:35 pm
How's the road to the Ben Hope parking spot? A car wrecker?
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