Slioch 25 May 2008

25 May - the fairly strenuous ascent of Slioch in sunny conditions. I followed the path from Kinlochewe to Loch Maree, then branched off up the steep slopes on the SE side into Coire Tuill Bhain. From here a further steep pull leads to the summit cone at 3,217', an amazing viewpoint for Beinn Eighe and Torridon, the Fannichs to the west, and north to An Teallach, A'Mhaighdean across Lochan Fada, and the Dundonnell wilderness. 6.5hours there and back with a 3-mile walk in each way along the Kinlochewe river. Fantastic!

Gleouraich 24 May 2008

24 May - the superb fine spring weather continued in Scotland. The ascent of Gleouraich, N of Loch Quoich, proved easier than expected up the excellent stalker's path that ends on the W ridge below the summit,taking a fraction over 2 hours. The summit cairn (3,395') gives a fantastic view south and west into the wilds of Knoydart - the cone of Sgurr na Ciche, with Luinne Bheinn and Ladhar Beinn all visible - and N to Glen Shiel, then SE to Ben Nevis beyond the ridge to Spidean Mialach. Down by lunchtime to look for Chequered Skippers near Spean Bridge - 3 seen.

Bruach na Frithe (Black Cuillin) 17 May 2008

17 May - a long-held ambition finally realised! I stood on the ridge of the Black Cuillin, the most mighty mountain ridge in all Scotland. I flew to Inverness the day before, and drove to Sligachan Hotel for the night - stunning blue skies in Torridon en route with rolls of cloud enveloping the summit ridges of Beinn Eighe and Liathach. Then across the Skye bridge for the first time, an emotional drive through Broadford with its memories to the foot of the Cuillin.
The next morning the clouds were just brushing the tops of Sgurr nan Gillean as I set off up Glen Brittle in a NE wind. I forked off up Fionn Coire then up onto the NW ridge of Bruach na Frithe - a tougher scramble than I expected, with the path skirting boulders and needing hands at times, though not exposed at all. Then, cresting the summit (3,143'), an amazing view of the entire ridge from Sgurr nan Gillean, past the Basteir Tooth and the Innaccessible Pinnacle S to Sgurr nan Eag. I stayed on the top for an hour, riveted by the view including Wester Ross all the way to An Teallach, and E to Kintail. Elated, I descended off the Bealach nan Lice next to Am Basteir, back to Glen Brittle. An emotional day. The photos show the ascent from Allt Dearg house in Glen Sligachan, and views from the summit.

2008 season starts

12 May - well, the weather is fantastic in Scotland at present, especially in the west - so I hope it holds until Thursday 15th for my first foray of the year...