Maol Chean-dearg 24 May 2019

A cloudy breezy day to start with, but the cloud base lifted steadily and cleared the tops completely just after we started our descent. A walk up the glen to start with with the Coire Lair Munros to the east and Torridon to the west, both hidden in cloud, then a zigzag path up to the bealach and a fairly steep climb up scree slopes and boulders to the summit plateau at 3,061' just in the cloud - but we got a view of the main Torridon ridge as we descended, and the cloud lifted into blue sky for superb sunlit views of the dramatic ruggedness and sheer rockiness of the west Highlands. Munro #228.

A’ Ghlas-bheinn 23 May 2019

A cloudy and quite windy day, with the cloud down on the summits, but dry at least and the cloud lifted a little during the day, from 600m to about 750m. The route started at Morvich, and wended its way up the Glen through birch woods and up onto the open hill, as far as the Gates of Affric where the path steepened and ascended a couple of steep rocky sections, before traversing the bumps and undulations of the summit plateau, eventually leading to the cairn at the northern end at 3,012’. Dramatic views through the shifting cloud of both the summit cone and of the western end of Glen Affric. The weather was inclement enough to make the walk a bit bit of a challenge, without being dangerous, the path being obvious right to the summit itself. Munro #227.

Ben Hope 20 May 2019

The most northerly Munro. A showery day, but the cloud base lifted progressively during our ascent of this isolated Munro - the summit at 3,041’ was in cloud, but on the descent the cloud base had risen to 600m and we had extensive views of the landscape of the far north - rugged rock and lochans. Munro #226.

Am Faochagach 19 May 2019

Fairly cloudy and showery conditions but we were fortunate as the cloud lifted off the summit during our ascent, so we had some views, albeit cloud down on the Beinn Dearg group and on the Fannichs. A boggy ascent though less so than usual, due to the recent dry weather. The summit plateau enlivened by a group of 4 Dotterel. The cairn is at 3,130’, Munro #225.

Sgurr Choinnich and Sgurr a’Chaorachain 20 April 2019

More cloudy today with some drifting hill fog that tended to disperse as the day went on. A cycle in on a fairly rough and stony track, with the cloud down onto the summits. Then an interesting river crossing and an ascent in an anticlockwise direction, with the SW wind gusting and the ridge in cloud. The summit ridge was edged with a considerable cornice of snow, but as we reached the top of Sgurr Choinnich the mist shifted and fragmented allowing views down into the corrie between the two Munros, and across Loch Monar to the Strathfarrar peaks. The clearance lasted until we reached the second Munro, Sgurr a'Chaorachain, which being the higher was above the cloud, which was lapping in the glen below. A long but gradual descent took us down to the track and the bikes. Munros 224.

Lurg Mhor and Bidein a’Choire Sheasgaich 19 April 2019

I’d been looking forward to this big day, albeit with some trepidation. A 38km excursion, a cycle in along the hydro track east from Attadale, then a climb to the bealach between these 2 Munros. The feeling of remoteness accentuated by the silence and lack of human intrusion in the landscape. The sky was cloudless blue and the view stretched in all directions...... first we turned east from the col to Lurg Mhor with its airy summit at 3,235’ being a great viewpoint, right round from Strathfarrar and Glen Shiel to Torridon. Then back to the col and up again to Sheasgaich, a steady climb to an equally excellent viewpoint at 3,100’. the cycle and walk out seemed longer with the element of fatigue later in the day, A long walk to two remote Munros but more than worth it for the sense of achievement, together with the impressive nature, space and silence of the landscape. Munros 222.

The 2019 Season gets underway....... Moruisg 18 April 2019

An afternoon ascent direct from the A890 having arrived in Inverness at midday. Sunny weather with a refreshing southeast breeze. Very dry underfoot made this usually boggy ascent more pleasant combined with the absence of midges (it being early spring). A fairly steady but not unpleasant climb lead to the summit plateau, with a choice of cairns, both of which I visited! Good though slightly hazy views, from Torridon and An Teallach in the north, round to The north Glen Shiel ridge in the south. Up and down in less than 4 hrs. Munro 220.