LIATHACH, COIRE NA CAIME - ALPINE SPLENDOUR

First rays of sun hitting the tops of The Northern Pinnacles, Liathach

The summit of Spidean a' Choire Leith & Am Fasarinen

Left-hand Trinity Gully

The Trinity Gullies & Northern Pinnacles, Coire na Caime

Idylic camp spot at Lochan Coire na Caime

Am Fasarinen

Bell's Buttress

With one of those rare treats this winter, a clear skies, cold and windless forecast albeit for just 24 hours or so, I headed up to that most wonderful of areas - Torridon. The NW was set to be the best place in the country to enjoy these conditions yesterday and toady. I took winter camping gear and headed up into Coire na Caime on the north side of Liathach, my second favourite mountain after An Teallach. Yesterday there was still some clouds on the very tops but dry with some late afternoon sun. I set the tent up at an idyllic spot at 500m by Loch Coire na Caime. A star filled night and temperatures slowly dipping to below freezing here. Nest morning dawned beautiful so an early start and I headed up to climb Left-hand Trinity Gully which finishes up between the Munro summit of Mullach an Rathain and the final summit of the Northern Pinnacles. The whole scene is Alpine and just wonderful and remote. There was still some wind slab and cornice at the top of the gully which was a bit disconcerting so in the end it was just a wander around the corrie which was just as enjoyable. Coming back down into Glen Torridon in clear blue skies and warm sun, fantastic. More snow and wind to come, it was a fantastic respite!