One small step for Jaxter; a giant leap for Jaxter-kind

[Jaxter]

It was finally time for me to visit Knoydart! I’d been trying to get there for years and it had just never quite worked out. But with Advance Base Camp now in Inverness it was suddenly a lot more accessible Although Malky had pooped all over my three day Knoydart trek (and in hindsight it was probably for the best!) we decided on a daytrip to do a walk similar to one he had done before, but slightly shortened to make it a bit more manageable for me

We had an early start – I love an early start, it feels more like an adventure! We made good time and were parked at our start point near the end of the Kinloch Hourn road ahead of schedule, even after a tangle with a JCB!

Met a friend on the way down


Sgurr na Ciche


Parked up and ready to go


Shame I brought this idiot with me


We headed off up the stalkers path – it had been wet overnight so it was a wee bit soggy but made for easy progress


Looking back down the glen to Gairich


Ahead to the ridge


A view of the Forcan ridge


Loch Quoich


Buidhe Bheinn and Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich


As we climbed higher the views just got better


Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich with Gleouraich & Spidean Mialach behind


It was getting seriously warm as we climbed steeply upwards, bumping into a guy halfway up who turned out to be MGMT who was doing a slightly odd route to climb a couple of corbetts!

Soon we were on the ridge, and we back into the wind


We could see across to Beinn Sgritheall now


Onwards


A wee glimpse of Loch Hourn with the Forcan and Sgurr na Sgine behind








We carried on up the ridge and came to the final climb which required a bit of hands on (but easily bypassed)


Sgurr na Cicheand Ben Aden


Sgurr Mor




A few seconds later we were at the trig point and wow…..finally got a view of Ladhar Bheinn




Loch Quoich


The trig point wasn’t actually the summit so we dropped down over a couple of lumps and up to the true summit










Loch Hourn and Beinn Sgritheall


Looking down into Glen Barisdale


Eigg


Our next hill – Meall nan Eun – in the front




Meall nan Eun and Ladhar Bheinn


The Sgurr Mor – Sgurr na Ciche ridge


Beinn Sgritheall


It was an awkward descent from Sgurr nan Eugallt – slightly slippery rock on steep slopes meant care was required but the views were good ahead to Meall nan Eun and the huge cliff of An Caisteal


Ughhh more downhill!




At the bealach we saw a big bird – maybe someone can help identify!


Sgurr na Sgine


Looking back to our descent


Looking across Loch Hourn


Sgurr Mor


It was a steep but relatively short climb up Meall nan Eun


Almost there






Summit of Meall nan Eun


We continued along the ridge to the best viewpoint


An Caisteal


Ladhar Bheinn








It was definitely lunchtime and we had a good break before heading back along the ridge and dropping off to Lochanan Meall nan Eun


It was a bit of an uppy downy route but led us around


Lochanan Meall nan Eun


We were now on our descent ridge and were about to lose Sgurr Mor behind the bealach


Loch Hourn


It was a nice easy descent to start with but it did get gradually worse




And then came the stage where we could see the path we were aiming for but it didn’t ever seem to get any closer


Malky got there ahead of me and sat down for a wee rest


And finally we were on the path! We had managed to drop down onto a high part of the path which meant the last 100m were on path


There were a few wee spots of rain here and there but nothing ever came to anything




















The path overtaken by rhododendrons




And then we were on the road – this wasn’t the end as we had a couple of km and 130m ascent up the road which felt like quite hard work




It had been a fabulous day out but we were very relieved to be back at the car! After a good stretch out it was time for the drive back down the road and I was really relieved that Malky was driving


Loch Quoich

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[rockhopper]

Nice result Your loop does look so much nicer than the usual up/down for Sgurr nan Eugallt. Thanks

[Sgurr]

Jaxter-kind???Are there any? I always thought they broke the mould. Did these two as straight up and downs, both very late in their respective rounds,, but don't think we would have been up for the loop.

[Graeme D]

Your friend at the start looked as relaxed about posing for a photo as the friend I made along that road at the start of my recent route up Sgurr a'Mhaoraich. A very friendly deer population down there!

Kev and I spent Saturday evening in Luib Chonnal bothy, where a great deal of the chat revolved around hatching plans for a multi-day Knoydart raid in the spring!

[kevsbald]

Yes - get planning Mr D. This Corbett looks tasty.

[Jaxter]

Nice result Your loop does look so much nicer than the usual up/down for Sgurr nan Eugallt. Thanks

Cheers - I can't really take credit for the route but definitely more interesting than an out and back! And I finally got to Knoydart

Jaxter-kind???Are there any? I always thought they broke the mould. Did these two as straight up and downs, both very late in their respective rounds,, but don't think we would have been up for the loop.

Ha you're probably right - not sure the world could handle more than one

Your friend at the start looked as relaxed about posing for a photo as the friend I made along that road at the start of my recent route up Sgurr a'Mhaoraich. A very friendly deer population down there!

Kev and I spent Saturday evening in Luib Chonnal bothy, where a great deal of the chat revolved around hatching plans for a multi-day Knoydart raid in the spring!

Yes apparently so! Multi-day in Knoydart is the goal, but this was definitely an excellent taster

[Mal Grey]

Grand stuff. I love hills with lochans and tarns on them. Hills with lochans and tarns on them in Knoydart being arguably the best of all.

If the bird was BIG, that wing shape, like a barn door, suggests White Tailed sea eagle.

[Sunset tripper]

Great report Jaxter. That's a brilliant picture of the stag.

[Jaxter]

Grand stuff. I love hills with lochans and tarns on them. Hills with lochans and tarns on them in Knoydart being arguably the best of all.

If the bird was BIG, that wing shape, like a barn door, suggests White Tailed sea eagle.

Thanks - yes I love the rock/loch thing. Reminds me of Assynt
Wow thanks, not sure I've seen one of them before

Great report Jaxter. That's a brilliant picture of the stag.

Thanks - I couldn't believe how tame it was!!