Torridon

25-27 March 2022

By Jane Elder

Jane, Bob, Ken, Kenny, Gail, Alison, Irene and Graham R. were booked into the Torridon Youth Hostel – welcoming, spacious and with wonderful views. Anna and Tony stayed in a nearby BnB.

The weekend began on Friday morning with several of us driving west early to climb some hills on the way. A bonanza of 4 munros, Gail on Ben Wyvis, Kenny on Slioch, Alison on Am Faochagach from the Ullapool road, Bob and Ken, Moruisg and 2 Grahams, both above Loch Carron, Anna and Tony on Beinn na Feusaige and Jane on Creag Dubh.

Views were limited due to mixed conditions with mist on the summits but Jane was lucky with this one from her lower Graham top looking towards Skye.

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Saturday was an unforgettable day as the weather, misty to start, delighted us by improving more and more as the day went on.

Beinn Alligin was the goal for Jane, Irene, Gail and Kenny. Gail and Irene came to the first munro, Tom na Gruagaich, then decided to make a leisurely decent all the way back to the hostel.

Jane and Kenny carried on along the ridge and over the 2nd munro, Sgurr Mor, then put poles away as hands were needed for scrambling up, down and over the 3 horns spotting a golden eagle along the way!

A brilliant traverse, one which Jane had done 40+ years ago and was elated to do again in such good conditions.

Not sure Kenny felt the same way!

What, up there?

No problem!

Loving those views!

Meanwhile,

Bob had been dropped off early to climb the Liathach ridge along the crest from east to west. Again starting in the mist but breaking out to enjoy awesome views.

Liathach includes 2 munros and the 2nd was Bob’s penultimate

Beinn Dearg

Was the goal for Ken, Alison and Graham. Here is Ken’s report:

Chaffinches and wrens were in full song as Ken Craig, Graham Rebecca and Alison Paterson set off up Coire Mhic Nobuil, with Beinn Derag in our sights.

The first few kms were along an excellent path through native woodland, which gave Graham plenty of opportunities to test his birdcall recognition skills. The path rose gradually to open moorland and after crossing a bridge we headed north to Bealach a Chomhla. The southern & western flanks of Beinn Dearg were well protected and low cloud still covered the tops. As we approached the bealach, the path became much more indistinct as we searched for a weakness on the NW slopes of Stuc Loch Na Cabhaig. We climbed a very steep grassy gully before meandering, along equally steep ground to the shoulder. By this time the low cloud was disappearing and we had excellent views of the route to the Stuc Loch Na Cabhaig and beyond to Beinn Dearg. Two ptarmigan were spotted racing amongst the crags.

A final pull to the summit of Beinn Dearg gave us great views of the Big 3; Beinn Alligin, Liatach & Beinn Eighe. With little wind, the tops clear and the sun out, the summit made a very pleasant spot for lunch.

Rather than re-trace our steps, which was our initial plan, we decided to continue along the ridge towards Carn Na Feola. The initial descent contained some entertaining scrambling before the easy grassy section was reached. Following our adrenalin high, we paused for a short break and whilst enjoying the views (again), two golden eagles glided below us in the glen. Grahams binos were on them in a flash.

Before we reached Carn Na Feola we descended due S to the glen. This was a very rough descent with numerous minor crags to be avoided. Reaching the base of the glen was quite a relief. An excellent stalkers path then lead us W back to our bridge crossing where, with impeccable timing, we met Jane & Kenny after their Beinn Alligin epic. We exchanged tales of our adventures as we walked back under a warm sun to the car park.

Sgorr nan Lochain Uaine,

a Corbett, was climbed by Anna and Tony.

What a Day!

And then the meal in the evening! We had decided to buy frozen meals from the hostel and chef Bob + sous chefs Ken and Graham managed to have all 8 ready at the same time using the boil in the bag method in large pans so we all enjoyed curries, samosas, rice and naans accompanied by beer and wine in the hostel dining room.

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Sunday was another beautiful day, in fact incredibly hot and sunny.

Graham headed east to do some birding, Anna and Tony, Irene and Gail had low level walks from Diabaig.

Ken and Jane climbed a small Graham, An Ruadh Mheallan to the west of Alligin with spectacular scenery and spent ages watching scores of frolicking frogs. They also spotted a lizard and some deer.