Back to Skye 2 - Bla Bheinn

[JimboJim]

I woke to a pleasant morning by the shores of Loch Slapin, looking over to the fine outline of Skye's only Munro, not on the Cuillin Ridge. Enjoyed some brekkie, watching the cows having an early paddle and other wildlife starting the day. Got pulled together and then drove the Bongo round to the car park for Bla Bheinn. It's a nice wander up the side of the Allt na Dunaiche, with several lovely falls and pools, then a bit more of a climb into Coire Uaigneich and the grassy bowl of Fionna-choire. Beautiful spot.

Half five alarm call from across Loch Slapin :)

Bla Bheinn. There is a way up.

Looking out to Rum, on the way up.

I found the route notes very handy for keeping me on track, a right turn up onto the rocky stuff, where there's a few more tricky bits of scrambling and scree to cope with. There's a few amazing gullies to stare down with views of the great buttresses, and part of the Great Prow! Way too great looking for my liking Higher up, I wondered how I'd get up through the rocks, but a route exists. Alas, by then the sun had disappeared and cloud moved in, but the views were steadily opening up.

Beinn na Cro, Beinn Dearg Mor, Beinn Dearg Bheag, Scalpay, Crowlin Islands, mainland.

Beinn na Cro, Beinn Dearg Mor, Beinn Dearg Bheag, again.

From the summit, out to the south top, with Rum beyond.

Fine pic of the Red Cuillin. Marsco, round to Glamaig.

Didn't seem to take me too long to the summit, probably less than two hours. The views were great, but would have been superb had I been an hour, or two earlier. Had a closer look at the gullies on the way down, though resisted getting too close. Long, (but quick) way down. Nearing the corrie floor, I diverted off track, trying to avoid a tricky bit of scree that gave me bother on the way up. It looked like a track worn by others too, but maybe not. It had it's own minor struggles but, nothing to worry about and took me over to the the huge boulder, I just had to visit.

Garbh Bheinn, with Scalpay and Raasay enshrouded in mist.

Think that's Eigg and Muck, to the left? As with all/any of my pics, please correct me if I'm talking mince :)

Panorama from the summit of Bla Bheinn, or Blaven, as some call it, over to the main Cuillin Ridge and Red Cuillin.

Pano east to mainland.

Yours truly, Bla Bheinn, 928m. 1.9hrs to the top. 1.6, to the bottom :)

By now more folk were appearing on the way up, so I was glad to have had things to myself earlier on. Back at the Bongo in three and a half hours, which I thought wasn't bad for an old codger.

Looking down to Elgol.

Loch an Aithan, Glen Sligachan.

Over Glen Sligachan, to main ridge.

Garb Bheinn, left. Sgurr nan Each. ?Belig, behind.

Inward/outward path and Allt na Dunaiche. The Bongo just about visible in the trees :)

So ended my second wee trip to Skye and I had finally saw something from a summit In the words of someone else "I shall return."

Another look out to Marsco and other Red Hills.

Over to Clach Glas. I was not tempted by the scramble across that ridge :)

Looking down the Great Prow, as near the edge as I dare.

Looking over to Clach Glas.

Near as big as the boulder I dislodged on Sgurr Alasdair, the previous day! Ok, I exaggerate a wee bit :)

Some folk begin the climb up from Fionna-choire.

Bla Bheinn, Clach Glas, on the way down.

Now for the long trip home!

Heading home.