walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Stac Polly

Stac Polly


Postby mountainman » Mon Aug 17, 2009 8:38 pm

Route description: Stac Pollaidh ridge and circuit

Fionas included on this walk: Stac Pollaidh

Date walked: 17/08/2009

Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

This is from a walk I done in late Febraury 2008. Having climbed this hill several times in summer I found myself up in the area and seeing fresh snowfall on all the hills couldn't go home without walking something. With very little gear on me I ruled out Coigach which I had my eye on but since I knew this hill plus there is a path to follow all round the hill I opted for this one.

Stac Polly 022.jpg
Stac Polly (zoomed) from near Elphin


Stac Polly 026.jpg
Stac Polly from the car park


From the car park the skies were crystal clear blue and I knew that it wouldn't take long to summit so I decided to walk up and around the western end of the hill which I hadn't done before and this would give me a chance to investigate the northface of the hill and some of the routes up to the ridge. Following the path up to the deer fence I headed westwards and soon I was gaining height quickly as you do on this hill. I couldn't believe how calm it was today but getting up level with the western gable of the hill there was an almighty howling gale and the north side of the hill was at least 2feet under snow! Having stopped for a cuppa, a couple of walkers with a dog passed me and I watched as they folled the path up towards the ridge. They were completely kitted out in full waterproofs etc etc.. and the wind was wipping the snow and and blowing it around as though it was still snowing.

Stac Polly 039.jpg
Suilven


Being three quarters the way up I decided just to go for it but not to stay long on the summit. However, when I reached the summit on the eastern side there was not a breath of wind and I sat quite comfotably for an hour then spent an hour exploring various crags up the southern face.

The views all round to Suilven, Cul Mor, Cul Beag and Coigach all snow capped was just magical. In the distance I could make out Seana Bhraigh and Beinn Dearg and with binoculars could just make out a bit of An Teallach. I've taken a couple of non hill-walkers up this hill and although they have complained about the initial steep climb, once they were at the ridge they were gobsmacked and away home they were telling everyone that they were a "hill-walker"!!

Stac Polly 110.jpg
Western ridge from the eastern summit


Stac Polly 073.jpg
Cul Beag (zoomed) from the eastern summit


Stac Polly 198.jpg
Coigach from the ridge


Stac Polly 325.jpg
Seana Bhraigh ( zoomed)


Stac Polly 328.jpg
Seana Bhraigh and Dearg group


Stac Polly 251.jpg
Cul Mor from northern face of Stac Polly


Stac Polly 256.jpg
Cul Beag and northern face of Stac Polly


I climbed up so far but having hit ice and thinking about retracing my steps I decided to stay safe and just enjoy exploring the north face lower down. I spent the rest of the day scrambling up and down various parts of the northern crags for the fun of it before wandering over to the small lochan at the western end.Here I watched as two Ravens hassled a Golden Eagle constantly for 15minutes before the eagle flew off and the Ravens returned to their craggy viewpoints. Gradually descending at 4pm most of the snow on the southern face had melted and was in complete contrast to what I had been playing around in all day on the northern face. Back at the car, still glorious blue skies and
walkers just starting of for an evening walk.
Attachments
Stac Polly 104.jpg
Stac Polly (eastern summit)
Stac Polly 024.jpg
Coigach from across Loch Lurgainn
Stac Polly 023.jpg
Stac Polly from across Loch Lurgainn
Stac Polly from across Loch Lurgainn
mountainman
 
Posts: 27
Munros:19   Corbetts:4
Fionas:4   
Joined: Jan 25, 2009
Location: Tain

Re: Stac Polly

Postby mountain coward » Tue Aug 18, 2009 4:39 am

Great photos - I can see I won't get any further than the col though :(
mountain coward
 

Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).




Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 77 guests