LUINNE BHEINN & MEALL BUIDHE

Looking west from Luinne Bheinn to Ladhar Bheinn & Loch Hourn

Louis & Kath on the final slopes up to Luinne Bhein

Barrisdle Bay & Loch Hourn

Approaching Meall Buidhe

Another fine mountain, Beinn Aden

Fine views out to Rum

Another big day out in Knoydart for Kath & Louis. The two Munros of Meall Buidhe & Luinne Bheinn give fine ridge walking in another remote setting. Rugged grassy and rocky ridges throughout the day with many wee knolls to go over. It's another 10 hour plus day from Inverie. We only saw two other folk all day, going in the opposite direction. The fine weather at the start of the day slowly deteriorated but the cloud was above the tops and fine views. We stayed dry until only the final hour on the long walk out from the Mam Barrisdale.

LADHAR BHEINN

Loch Hourn & Beinn Sgritheall from the summit of Ladhar Bheinn

Louis enjoying the finne ridge walking on Ladhar Bheinn

Fabulous light along the ridges

Coire Dhorracail

Fine ridge walking

Great views out to the Small Isles of Rum & Eigg on the descent

Summit ridge

Atmosphric cloud on the summit area

The odd rock step along the ridge with the very fine Coire Dhorcaill

The descent in early evening light

Ladhar Bheinn ranks high in my top 10 of finest Scottish hills. Big, deep corries, wonderful ridge walking, remoteness, stunning sea & loch views are just some of the criteria that 'does it for me'. We saved the best hill of the week for the best weather of the week and we weren't disappointed. There was morning cloud but this blew away and by the time we were on the main ridge we were treated to wonderful views. It's at least a 10 hour day from Inverie if you do the best route on the mountain, the circuit of Coire Dhorcaill (THE way!) but worth every minute. Late afternoon saw us on the top and stunning views everywhere. With wonderful cloud formations to give even more spectacular and atmospheric conditions. The cooler airflow gave great clarity and the cloud coming and going made it very special. Glorious warm weather on the long walk out with a beautiful evening back at Inverie. Apparently there was a drop or two of rain down south this weekend :)

BEINN NA CAILLICH

Kath on the slabs up to Beinn na Caillich's summit

Ladhar Bheinn a great backdrop to todays hill

Summit views to Kintail & Loch Hourn

Ladhar Bheinn in the sun

Every hill on Knoydart give stupendous views of mountain, loch & sea and the most westerly Corbett of Beinn na Caillich is without exception. There are not many short hill days on the peninsula but with excellent paths and tracks this great wee summit is easy gained in 4 hours. From the top you get teasing glimpses of Ladhar Bheinn's finest coire, Coire Dhorcaill. Grand views to Loch Hourn too. Another day of NO rain and nice sunny spells.

KNOYDART

Kath and Louis on the fine ridge up to Sgurr Coire Choinneachean

Looking over to Beinn Buidhe from near the summit

Inverie & Loch Nevis

Atmospheric final slopes

Rather high bracken on the lower slopes, there is a path here, honest!

A weeks work on the wonderfully remote Knoydart peninsula. Regular clients Kath and Louis back for some more Munro bagging and a week in the area is a good spell to appreciate this special place. We kicked off with an easy but spectacular hill and the closet to the capital of  Knoydart, Inverie. Sgurr coire Coinnachean is a fine Corbett with stunning views over Loch Nevis The final summt ridge being narrow and spectacular views down to Loch Nevis. The cooler, windy conditions were very welcome to keep away the dreaded midge. We had fine sunny spells and only a 10 minute shower. With an golden eagle only metres away from us on the descent to top a top day.

BACK HOME, FIACAILL RIDGE, CAIRNGORMS

Lovely scrambling and deserted

Fiacaill Ridge, cleared by afternoon

Atmospheric clouds over Coire an Lochain

Sunshine on top

More blocky scrambling

Cairn Gorm

Coire an t-sneachda

A very green Coire Domhain

Heath spotted orchid

Afternoon light

Ben Macdui

Back home from the intense heat and a nice afternoon out in The Cairngorms where the air was much cooler and very pleasant. We had a leisurely start to avoid the morning rain. By mid afternoon the skies were clearing but lots of wonderful atmospheric clouds. Fiacaill Ridge was deserted as usual and we had the place to ourselves. With sunshine on the plateau by late afternoon it was glorious. The Scottish mountains on a day like today ate equally as spectacular as The Alps! Next stop, Knoydart for a weeks work. :)

FINAL DAY TMB, COL DE BALME

Final dsy of this TMB and the easiest dsy on the trek. With only 10km and a mere 900m of climbing, its only around a 5 he day. Well done to yet another group coping well in the unusually high temperatures. Since 27 June I haven't experienced a single drop of rain on the hill. I have wore just T-shirt and shorts the entire time and not pulled anything warm or waterproof out of my pack. How unusual is that? Back home and it may well be a wee bit cooler and a possibility of the occasional bit of rain.

BOVINE ROUTE, WELCOME COVER

Penultimate dsy on the TMB with an 'easier day' on The Bovine route. For me this is the least interesting day on the trek around Mont Blanc but it was a welcome relief to be in the trees and shade for much of the dsy. The lack of mountain views was compensated by some lovely wildlife in the treecover, including Nutcracker & Red Squirral. Of course the name of the route comes from the numerous beards of specific cattle, The Herens Cow.

COL DE GRAND FERRET

Another top day with wonderful Alpine scenery. From the Bonatti Refuge to the Grand Col Ferret you have more wonderful views of the Grand Jorasses. Hot sun again. When will it end? Once again my group have been treated to fabulous weather, how lucky.