free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I hope this is not too messy. It is my first attempt at recording a walk
- Ben More at surise with it's halo
Our route was the "easy" route from Dhiseig on the shores of Loch Nakeal.
An early start and a beautiful day when we set off from our b&b in Fionnphort. After a wet week we had been rewarded the previous day with a lovely day on Iona and had been looking forward and hoping to have a clear dry day for our climb of Ben More.We were not to be disappointed
Our waypoints had been uploaded into the gps the night before and we were away.
After a 1 hours drive, we parked up on the shores of Loch Nakeal and set off up the track opposite.
- Shona at the start of our walk up Ben More
Ben More is commonly known as the last Monroe but in our case it was to be our first!
My wife Shona had just recovered from breaking her ankle in 2 places 12 months ago and had to abort a climb of Snowdon a few weeks previously.This was going to be a tough day.
The first stretch was a pleasant stroll up a gently sloping hill. The gradient gradually increasing, we had to cross the stream to continue our ascent to the ridge.
- The stream just cos it looks nice
- The summit
The summit which was previously obscured by cloud could now be seen clearly and we could make out tiny figures walking up the ridge to the summit.
- The summit having emerged from the cloud
At around 1,500ft the gradient started to get a bit steeper and we stopped to have a bite to eat and some refreshment. The view back towards the car was now quite stunning.
- Loking back down to our starting point on the edge of Loch Nakeal
Looking around to the east, most of the Islands were coming into view and we looked forward to getting onto the ridge which would then reveal Iona which was still hidden behind the hills to the South West.
We reached the ridge and were not disappointed. To the North we could clearly make out the Cuillin hills on Skye approx 56 miles away and Ben Nevis 46 miles to the North East.The temperature had dropped considerably now so the coats, gloves and hats had to go on as we started to climb the scree slopes of the ridge
- Shona on the final climb up the ridge to the summit
- Me on the ridge
- The Cuillins in the distance
- View from the ridge to the North East
Views we had both only seen in photographs before were now a breathtaking reality
- The ridge to A'Chioch
- Just about made it
On our route to the summit we had been passed by a number of other walkers who were now on their way back down. We stopped to chat with several and were told that the summit was constantly in and out of the clouds. As we neared our goal we were engulfed in cloud and it stayed that way until we had started our descent.
We were completely alone for approx 15 minutes sitting within the circular wall of the summit.
- On the ridge just below the summit
Back below the ridge the cloud was now above us and we met a couple of students from Dundee university on their way up. We watched their progress as they reached the top and started their descent. This was an event in itself to watch them bounding up and then down the hill, arms like windmills as they overtook us. Further down we then passed them for a while before being overtaken again!
Once back at the car we met up with them again and apparently they had left their rucksacks with their tent, clothes and provisions halfway up the mountain to lighten their load on the climb and could not find them on the way back down!Lucky boys found them after 20 minutes of frantic searching the hills!
Feeling sorry for them we gave them a lift back to Fiennphort as they had missed the last bus whilst looking for their kit!
An hour later we were back in the pub at Fionnphort enjoying a well earned pint or two.
A memorable day which we will never forget. And well done Shona!!!!!
- Fantastic