free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Harris in October and the sun was shining, it was warm and no wind...I still can't believe it.
With only 3 full days on the Island an agreement was reached with Mrs Dmack that saw me get a hill pass for one day, I suppose I could have gone to arbitration - but I thoroughly enjoyed a day at the beach and the last day spent with some of my extended family. In between was the best days walking I have had.
My chosen walk was a blast from the past, at least for the first part. I have climbed Uiseval many times in my childhood and although not by any means a hard climb it gives fantastic views. With the assistance of an old OS map I planned a route that would take me ultimately to Rhenigadale.
I got underway by 8am and soon reached the fence that marks the start of common grazing land, even at this modest height I was enjoying the views.
The attachment IMG_2381.JPG is no longer available
Stopping for a drink, I packed away my fleece (never to re-appear on this walk) before heading on for the summit. I was pleasently suprised to find that it was still before 9am, I must be getting fitter. The light was fantastic and perhaps if I had any skill with a camera I could have captured it, but I am very much a point and click photographer.
It was round about this time that I began to eye up Toddun. I had climbed it once before around 30years ago and although I have a notoriously bad memory, I recall it being well worth the effort. From the TP I headed off North West accross Beinn a' Chaolais with my first goal being to meet the well used path that runs from the lochs at Urgha to Rhenigadale. The going was excellent with only very slight detours required for bogs, I also noticed how much grip there was on Harris rock. Last week I climbed Am Caisteal and Beinn a'Choin and avoided stepping on the rocks where possible after 2 or 3 slips. In Harris the rocks have a rough texture which gives excellent grip even when wet - my young nephew informs me that the rock is Lewisian Gneiss (or something like that anyway).
As I approached Rhenigadale path I saw 2 walkers - the first and only all day - and made my way to meet them. They were holidaying in the Islands and had come to Harris from North Uist. I was really pleased that the weather was so good as they had hardly been able to stand upright with the gales there. We compared notes on how many deer we had seen, 20-30, before they asked where I was headed. Without thinking I pointed to Toddun. That was it decided then.
The last section was pretty steep as I decided not to head round to the slightly easier North West side, but it is relatively short and with the good grip on the rocks not a problem. I stayed on the summit for nearly an hour and would have stayed longer if I didn't have to be at Rhenigadale for my lift. I felt completely at peace and could possibly have dozed off if it wasn't for the 2 jets that roared past between Toddun and the Clisham. I could still hear the roar of their engines long after they were lost from sight. No photo's of the jets because although they were very close, like with the deer, I am a bit slow on the draw with my camera.
After a straightforward descent from the summit I hit the Rhenigadale road and finished my walk with a couple of miles on the road.
My favourite days walking - so far. This was my first decent length of walk without the comfort of a path, and although I admit that I had great weather conditions, visibilty and some local knowledge to help me- I really enjoyed the fact that I was making decisions all the time around my route.