MORE GUIDING IN TORRIDON

 

Beinn Alligin & Liathach from Sgurr Ruadh

On Tuesday & Wednesday I had another two days of guiding in Torridon. The Monday looked set to be fabulous weather so I set off on my 'commute' to work from Achnashellach to Glen Torridon via the fabulous Sgurr Ruadh.

MONDAY 2 AUGUST

The view just 5 mins from Achnashelach

If you ever tire of walking up the fabulous Coire Lair from Achnashellach then it's really time you hung up your boots. Over 100 times I have ascended Sgurr Ruadh and countless more walks up into Coire Lair. One of the most beautiful corries in the Highlands. A fabulous path runs up through a small area of mixed woodlandand before emerging out into a wide coire bounded on either side with fabulous mountains.

A distant Beinn Liath Motr above the Lair gorge

It was a glorious afternoon, I didn't set out till 12.30. I saw no one all the way up the beautiful trail that runs up into this Coire.

Beinn Liath Mor

Sgurr Ruadh

I dumped the big backpacking sack full of 3 days food at the bealach then walked up the final North ridge onto Sgurr Ruadh's summit. From this Munro you get the finest vista of the big Torridon Trio, Alligin, Liathach, Eighe all strung out in a wonderful wall of steep rock above Glen Torridon.

Beinn Liath Mor from the bealach and Coire Lair

Fabulous geology

From the bealach it's less than an hour up the fne North ridge of Sgurr Ruadh. I had the place to myself, sitting in glorious warm sunshine and just a faint breeze.

Liathach and the top of Coire lair

Liathach from the ridge

The final steepening to Sgurr Ruadh's summit

I've ascended this Munro well over 100 times now, Summer and Winter. It is one of the finest viewpoints from any Munro. The view to the big Torridonain giants of Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe is stupendous. 

Beinn Alligin & Liathach

Fhuar Toll from the summit

Beinn Liath Mor

I saw two folk heading up, so it was time to leave my place of solitude. A glorious late afternoon as I wandered around the excellent stalkers paths that run Northwards to the Bealach na Lice and down to Loch an Eoin.

Sgurr Ruadh from the NW

Near the Bealach na Lice

Loch an Eoin & Maol Chean Dearg

I'd just descended from beautiful Loch an Eoin and into the shadows cast by the mountains in the early evening when the dreaded midge decided it was time to come out for dinner. Up until this point there wasn't anything out and about biting.  The midge loves early mornings and late afternoon/evening. They don't like bright sunshine or heat. 

As it was such a lovely evening (midge aside) I decided on pitching my tent 100m above Annat where there is a fine view of the hills and Loch Torridon. It is also very peaceful. A lovely sunset.

Wild camping at its best

Beinn Alligin & Loch Torridon sunset

TUESDAY 3 AUGUST

I met up with my group I was to be guiding for the next two days, the Johnston family from London. They were staying in the luxury of the Torridon Hotel. Unfortunately the weather had turned during the night with lots of low cloud coming in off the Atlantic.

Out of the midges

The fine Gorge feature

We had a chat about wat they would like to do. Having spent some time in Torridon over the last couple of years they were quite keen to explore some of the lesser known hills. The Corbett of Sgurr Dubh on the South side of the glen was a good choice. Being lower than the main Torridon giants we reckoned we may get some breaks in the weather.

Craggy mountain 

Lunch at one of the many lochans

We set off in zero wind and millions of midges. perfect conditions for them!

Steep sections

Views of Beinn Eighe

Sgurr Dubh is a seldom visited hill. With so many stunning mountains in Torridon you could understand why. This, however, doesn't detract from such a fabulous wee hill. Rugged and with lots of fine features on the ascent, including an impressive gorge.

Liathach views not bad

We were out of the midge zone at around 600m. A nice breeze. Then some light rain came in and the cloud base dropped. The plateau area above this altitude can be a navigational challenge if you are only use to walking on good paths. There are many craggy tops and beautiful lochans dotted around on this higher ground.

More steep and rugged walking 

On our descent the clouds lifted and we even enjoyed some afternoon sunshine by the time we got back to the carpark.

The final walk out

Calum ready for his dinner

WEDNESDAY 4 AUGUST

It was another uninspiring weather forecast again today. The Johnstone's were quite happy for a lower level walk and on good paths. So we decided on a beautiful circuit from the Coire Dubh Mor carpark, past the Ling Hut and then up to the Bealach na Lice.

A midge free day

There was a good, stiff breeze from the word go. Yes! A midge free day. The cloud base gradually lifted as the day progressed and by mid afternoon we got some lovely sunshine coming through.

Maol Chean-dearg 

Despite a forecast of afternoon thunderstorms it was a fine last hour of our walk as we descended from Loch an Eoin back to Annatt.

Loch an Eoin

Maol Chean-dearg 

Liathach 

A nice couple of days working for Torridon Outdoors.

My home

The groups home

THURSDAY 5 AUGUST

My 'commute' home again. A dull, damp start so  headed back to Achnashellach train station via the easy route over the Coulin Pass.

Loch Clair & Liathach 

Heather in bloom below Beinn Eighe 

Beinn Eighe

Some wonderful loch and mountain views all on excellent forest and estate tracks.

Beinn Liath Mor 

Lots of wonderful Wild Raspberries just above Glen Carron. I gorged on these for the final 30 mins walking to the train station. Another top trip to Torridon.

Wild Raspberries