GLORIOUS EARLY WINTER IN TORRIDON

Robin enjoying early winter on Beinn Eighe

We've been enjoying some fine early winter conditions up here in The Highlands. Last week saw a series of low pressure systems mixed with some cold air being dragged down from the north. Snow has been falling above about 800m on may of the high tops. The West and North West Highlands looked to be getting a bigger share of the white stuff than The Cairngorms. The last of these weather systems came through on Sunday into Monday before being replaced by a big high pressure system drifting across much of Scotland. The best of the sunshine seemed to be forecasted in the North West. This was the place to be!

Sunrise over Liathach

On Monday I headed over to Torridon, the finest mountain region on the planet. I was to meet up with Robin on the Tuesday evening. Before that I wanted to capture sunrise over Liathachs Northern side. Of course being north facing it is difficult to get a good photograph of it's fantastic northern corries and buttresses. The place I had in mind was high up on Beinn Dearg which lies north of Liathach. Beinn Dearg almost reaches that magical 3000ft (914.7m) high point, but only attains 914. There was some itchy feet from Munro baggers a few years ago when the mountain was re-measured but it turned out it was actually slightly lower than the official Munro height. All the better for it. It is a much less visited mountain in the Torridon area.

The impressive rock tower on Beinn Dearg

I set off mid afternoon along the Coire Dubh Mor path. This fine trail cuts between the mighty peaks of Liathach and Beinn Eighe. There are some delightful lochans after an hour or so and it was from here that I left the good path and headed onto Beinn Dearg. Pathless terrain from here onwards. A real feeling of wildness and remotness, key qualities I savour. I reached a broad bealach on Beinn Dearg at 658m just before dusk. It's amazing how quickly the light fades this time of year once we get to mid afternoon. Earlier sun gave way to cloud cover, then Liathach revealed it's grand northern side just before darkness fell. I had a fine spot to camp with views out to The Flowerdale Forest area as well as Liathach.

First light on Beinn Dearg

The clouds dissipated during the night and it was a deep frost. I had  a coating of ice on the tent the next morning. I was up sharpish to catch that wonderful sight of the sun rising. Timing was crucial before the sun gave too much glare into the camera. There's no better time of day than being up on a mountain at sunrise and knowing there is no one around. In fact I saw no one for the 26 hours I was out in the hills. The only life I saw and heard was a solitary croaking ptarmigan near my tent, a pair of ravens,  a few snow bunting and red deer.

The Flowerdale Forest 

I had a very leisurely morning wandering around the long ridge of Beinn Dearg, soaking up the various viewpoints and sunshine. To get to the main summit of Beinn Dearg from this eastern end of the ridge involves tackling a stunning rock tower which guards the final summit ridge. A steep  scramble over icy and snowy rocks didn't look enticing and the exposed grassy ledge around the side looked even less appealing. I was content to enjoy the views from 800m.   By mid afternoon the sun is sinking west. Less glare in the lens and so another opportunity to capture Liathachs north side again.

My camp spot gazing out to Baosbheinn & Beinn an Eoin & 

Distant Slioch and Fisherfield Forest

Afternoon cuppa outside my tent in the sun was bliss. Packed up and headed out with those mesmerising views of Beinn Eighe and Liathach. Passed by some deer who were completely un-interested in me. Time stands still in this area. What a magical place.

Chilled out deer

Beinn Eighe & Liathach

Beinn Eighe

Flowerdale peaks

Beinn Dearg

Spidean a' Choire Liath & Am Faserinen

I was soon back on the path that circles around the north of Liathach, the Coire Dubh Path. An easy walk out with some lasting views of Liathach and the numerous wee lochans with afternoon reflections.

Coire Dubh Mor and Beinn Eighe

Magical

Reflections on the Coire Dubh Mor path

TUESDAY 30 OCTOBER - BEINN EIGHE

Robin on Beinn Eighe

I camped down in Glen Torridon on Tuesday evening meeting up with Robin who has almost completed all the Munros. He has been out on Liathach and Beinn Alligin with me recently in glorious weather. His last Munros in the Torridon area are on Beinn Eighe. Another below freezing night. The tent having even more frost over it while Robin was 'wild camping' in his luxurious campervan. I did sneak breakfast and hot drinks in Robins van the next morning though. We set off early doors, catching another glorious sunrise.

Sunrise over a misty Loch Clair

Fabulous snow conditions

We decided to traverse the Two Munros on Beinn Eighe starting at the Eastern end, ascending Coire an Laoigh and up onto the ridgeline to 'bag' Spidean Coire nan Clach first. Despite a very frosty morning we were soon down to baselayers in the warm sunshine. What a beautiful clear morning again. The snowline was around 800m and with some melt/freeze the day before we were soon donning crampons and ice axe for the steepening slopes out of the coire. It was like an Alpine start. Smiles all round for conditions like this at the end of October!

A bit cooler on top!

Our first summit, Spidean Coire nan Clach

Beinn Eighe is straightforward 'hillwalking' unlike its big brother Liathach which involves some scrambling on its pinnacled ridge. Of course in winter things are always different and much more exciting. Beinn Eighe's Spidean Coire nan Clach Munro has a little spicy last few metres to its top. Great fun with a few wee moves to attain it. We stood on the summit with 360 degrees Alpine views. Clear skies, snowy ridges and a beaming early morning sun. What a privilege.

The view from Spidean

Views of Liathach all the way

Just brilliant

Minor tops along the ridgline

From Spidean over to the 2nd Munro of Ruadh-Stac Mor involes easy ridge walking with stupendous views all the way. Liathach is directly in front of you as you make your way along the easy ridge. My eyes were drawn to Liathach for an hour or more. A photographers paradise. The traverse between the two Munro summits takes a fair while which is good reason to have an early start this time of year and of course, snow will make progress slower too. Robin was on Ruadh-Stac Mor by mid day and we had bags of time to make our way back down. The fun and views aren't over yet! There is a steep descent into the amazing Coire Mhic Fhearchair.

Good snow cover!

The easy plod up to Ruadh-Stac Mor

Tripple Buttress from the top

The 'chimney' down into the coire was fun with just a few bits of snow and ice on the ledges. It's far easier to stick to these easy steps rather than straight into the middle of the gully where there is loose scree. The impressive rock buttresses, crags, boulders, wee waterfalls and lochan make Coire Mhic Fherchir one of the finest corries you could ever feast your eyes on. Just going for a walk into the coire is a magical day in itself.

Down the chimney and impressive views

Tripple Buttress

The only folk we saw all day were two lads walking up through the coire early afternoon. After our final gaze at the Tripple Buttress we tore ourselves away and headed down the easy path back into Coire Dubh Mor. What a day! Torridon. Love it. Will be back soon!

Liathach