Tuesday 30 September 2014

Cul Mor more more!

In the top ten this one. An absolutely stunning hill. My photos just don't do it justice. A short day out with some of the most amazing views of Inverpolly. I actually rate this higher than Stac Pollaidh, especially if you do it the way I did i.e. ascend via the North-East ridge and over the boulder field. The views out to the ocean and to Suilven and Canisp are unrivalled. I was round in just over 3 hours and was blown away by the scenery. The corrie which drops from the North summit is big and expansive and with the stags roaring, the NE ridge was a super place to while away time. Brilliant hill.




Monday 1 September 2014

Am Bathach

En route to UHI induction, I had originally intended to bag two of the five Munro sisters. However, the weather forecast wasn't great and as I drove along the Cluanie road, I had anticipated the cloud level to be low enough that a plan B, Am Bathach, was hatched. The route was simple enough and up the wee path to the side of the wanton destruction of forestry, which used to be present. A land rover track had been gouged into the Chernobyl-like wasteground adding to the sense of human interference in this area. I was glad to make quick ascent and leave that behind although the view back over to Loch Cluanie was rather pretty.

After the initial steepness, the walk was very enjoyable and while views flitted in and out between cloud, I could feel the mass of A'Chralaig to my right and the start of Aonach Mheadhoin to the left. The final approach to the cone-like summit felt quite airy. This is a lovely wee hill and i was at the top in just over an hour, where I perched and had some food. The southern crags of Ciste Dubh were visible but the main summit eluded my vision. I assessed ridges coming down off A'Chralaig for a return trip to bag the Mullach Munro in the future. The descent back to the car was quick and all in, the sojourn had lasted only a couple of hours before I made my way North to Inverness. Not quite the Munroage I had hoped for but Corbett 77 was in the bag. And what a fine hill it is too.