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My love affair with scottish mountains began about a year ago, so Bla Bheinn was going to be
just my fourth munro. The date was set to be Friday 23rd July. I have to confess I was so
excited about the whole trip I couldn't sleep the night before and kept waking up every two
hours or so.. I set off for Skye at 5.30am going from Inverness down the Invermoriston way.
My excitement grew even stronger as I drove past the Glen Shiel with its excellent
mountainous scenery.. When I got the car park from which the walk begins, it was still very
early, but the sun already shining bright. I set off for the summit at 7.30am. The walk along
Allt na Dunaiche was very pleasant and I was enchanted by marvellous sight of surrounding
me hills. I followed the well trodden path all the way up to Fionna-choire from which I moved
further on and up a steep scree and finally eastern slope of Bla Bheinn. The last section of the
climb begun. I picked my route over somewhat larger boulders and firm rock istead of sticking
to the zig-zaging path of loose stones. I reached the top at 9.50am and 5 minutes later the
summit at 928m after about two hours climbing. The weather conditions on the day were
excellent with only occasional clouds passing quickly by below the summit, so I could enjoy
unspoilt view in every possible direction. Of course north-westerly lying is the Cuillin range
which arguably offers the most dramatic and spectacular view.. But that day my interest laid
to north-east and Garbh-bheinn and Belig. I very much wanted to include the Corbett as well
as the Graham into my itinerary. As I hadn't managed to find out if it is doable to get to
Garbh-bheinn directly from Bla Bheinn through Clach Glass I decided to check that out
myself... This is where the most exciting part of my trip begun. Some of you, my dear fellow
hill walkers might also call it crazy and my-humble-self silly or reckless and irresponsible. So I
as stand at the northern end of Bla Bheinn summit I was trying to find the best way down to
Corie Dubh, towards the gully below. I (mis)judged my plan realizable and went for it. (In this
place I'd like to add that I had never done such serious and difficult scrambling before). So I
navigated my way down, very often using my hands as well as feet. I managed to sramble
down about 200-250 yards. I finally reached a point where a very small stream is dripping
down and where my choices were reduced to that of lifting myself down a nearly vertical
drop of about 6-8 yards. For the first time on thi trip I'd had seconds thoughts, but decided
to go for it. All I managed was to lift my self down to a narrow ledge of about 4 inches, that
was about 2 yards below from where I started. Having got down there I realized I wouldn't be
able to go further down and after a short while of discontent, I also realized I may not be albe
to go back up either.. I got really scared and I spent few minutes clinging to a cold rock (my
legs outstreched, feet on 4 inches wide ledge, hands grabbing some bumps of the rock) and
despairing. At that point I realized it wasn't a very good idea to climb down after all. Finally,
after few shameful minutes of panic I managed to compose myself and lift back up. From there
I scrambled right up back to the top of Bla Bheinn. My little expedition off the well recognized
route took 1h 20min and cost me loads of energy. The way back to the car park over the
route of ascent took 1h 10min.
I decided to take on Achnasheen road to get back home. So since I was there and the day was
still young I made up my mind to take my revenge on them hills and bagged Fionn Bheinn...
I apologize for my not-too-sparkling Enghlish as it is my second language, as Scottish is my third
Thanks for reading
