Monday 29 May 2017

Plodda Falls and Guisachan House


The woods near Plodda Falls

A pleasant walk before heading home after a weekend at Cannich campsite - we parked up at the Plodda Falls car park (NH279238), above Tomich, and had a little wander around the woods past Plodda Falls and along Abhainn Deabhag to Guisachan House.

Here's a few photos...

Rafe and Jim - track above Abhainn Deabhag

Plodda Falls

Rafe - near Plodda Falls

Plodda Falls from the viewing platform above

Guisachan House

Guisachan House

Guisachan House
 
Jim and Rafe - Guisachan House

Guisachan House

Guisachan House

Saturday 27 May 2017

Beinn Alligin again

Waterfall on Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil at the start of the walk

Jim's colleague Tomas, a keen walker, had been asking for an introduction to the hills of Scotland. Beinn Alligin seemed like a good initiation - plenty of interest, some easy scrambling, a bit of exposure, great views, not too far and two Munro's thrown in as well!

We'd been up Beinn Alligin before, August 2008, with two young collies and a Freddie - we'd had an amazing day (and an amazing holiday in Torridon) - if our jaunt on the hill with Tomas was half as good, it'd be first rate first Munro day.

Woods above Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil at the start of the walk

We met up at Cannich Campsite the night before and car shared from there to Torridon early on Saturday morning - parking up in the little car park near Torridon House, just west of Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil. We donned boots and bags, crossed the bridge and headed off into the beautiful woodland that cloaks the banks of the river at this western end of Coire Mhic Nobaill.

The Horns of Alligin from near the beginning of the walk

We'd had a bit of a heatwave across Scotland for about three weeks - and it was already hot! The forecast, though, was for the weather to break late in the afternoon, heavy rain! - it was hard to believe though. The skies were sapphire clear and the Torridon hills all around were their usual stunning selves.

The Horns of Alligin and Beinn Dearg from Coire Mhic Nobaill

Tomas was fair gobsmacked!

Looking back (south) from Coire Mhic Nobaill

Rafie trotted on - did he remember coming along this way when he wasn't much more than a pup? - probably not, but he seemed to be enjoying being out in the hills as much as we were - plus getting the extra attention from an extra two legged pack member.

Beinn Alligin - Tom na Gruagaich, Eag Dhubh, Sgurr Mor and the Horns of Alligin

We were very soon out of the trees and gradually ascending into Coire Mhic Nobaill - the Torridon Giants to both sides and in front of us...

Sgurr Mor and the Horns of Alligin from waterfalls on Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil

Love Torridon.

Beinn Dearg from Coire Mhic Nobuil

Really love Torridon.

Rafe has a plodge in the Albhainn Coire Mhic Nobaill (NG881588)

Beinn Alligin and the Horns loomed...

Looking back (south west) from the start of the ascent of the Horns of Alligin

The path to Beinn Alligin is obvious - left, over a footbridge and meandering over the moor, acending gently towards Bealach Chomhla, crossing another footbridge (over Allt a'Bhealaich) and then taking another left at the foot of the nose of the Horns of Alligin - and you're there!

Coire Mhic Nobaill from ascent towards the Horns of Alligin

Waterfalls on Allt a'Bhealaich with Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mor beyond

Ascent towards the Horns of Alligin (with Beinn Dearg to the right)

Bridge over Allt a'Bhealaich

Beinn Dearg, Beinn Eighe and Liathach above Coire Mhic Nobaill

Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mor from ascent to the Horns of Alligin

Ben Damph and Loch Torridon from ascent to the Horns of Alligin

Take a breath - take a look - then Up.

Ascent to the Horns of Alligin

Stop every few yards to take it in again (and, in my case, take more photographs!)

Bealach a'Chomhla and Beinn Dearg

It's a really amazing place.

Ben Damph and Loch Torridon from ascent to the Horns of Alligin

Ascent of the Horns of Alligin

There was a bit of easy scrambling - short stretches over rocky knolls - nothing any of us had any trouble with.

The views opened up further. A good excuse to stop and stare and to get our breath back.

Beinn Dearg and Liathach from ascent to the Horns of Alligin

Loch Torridon from ascent of the Horns of Alligin


Looking back down to Coire Mhic Nobaill from ascent of the Horns of Alligin

Ben Damh and Loch Torridon from ascent to the Horns of Alligin

Jim - ascent to the First Horn - Beinn Alligin

Loch Torridon and Tom na Gruagaich from ascent of the Horns of Alligin

Ascent of the Horns of Alligin

Beinn Dearg and Liathach from the Horns of Alligin

The ridge over the Horns narrowed with height - just a little bit more exposure... But nothing scary.

Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mor from the First Horn (Na Rathanan Far East Top, 815m)

I'll leave you to think of a few superlatives.

Rafe - the Horns of Alligin with views to Beinn an Eoin and Beinn Dearg

Views north from the Horns of Alligin
Baosbheinn and Beinn an Eoin over Shieldaig Forest

North from the Horns of Alligin
Beinn an Eoin and Beinn Dearg with Letterewe Forest and Slioch beyond

Baosbheinn over Loch a'Bhealaich from the ascent of the Second Horn

Beinn Alligin - ascent of the Second Horn

Loch Torridon from the Horns of Alligin

Ascent of the Horns of Alligin - views to Sgurr Mor and the ridge of the Horns

Beinn Dearg from ascent of the Horns of Alligin

Ascent of the Horns of Alligin - Views to Loch Torridon and Tom na Gruagaich

Ascent of the Horns of Alligin

A little scrambly bit on the Horns of Alligin

Ascent of the Horns of Alligin

Looking back (SE) from ascent of the Horns of Alligin 

Ascent of the Horns of Alligin

Looking back (SE) from ascent of the Horns of Alligin to Na Rathanan Far East Top

Beinn Dearg from ascent of the Horns of Alligin

Beinn Dearg from ascent of the Horns of Alligin

Sgurr Mor from ascent of the Second Horn

Beinn Dearg, Liathach and the First Horn from the Second Horn (Na Rathanan East Top, 858m)

Baosbheinn and Shieldaig Forest from the Second Horn

Shieldaig Forest from the Second Horn of Alligin

Beinn Dearg from the Second Horn of Alligin

Sgurr Mor and the Third Horn from the Second Horn

Second Horn (Na Rathanan East Top) from ascent of the Third - Beinn Alligin

Ascent of the Third Horn of Alligin

Summit of Na Rathanan (Sim, 864m) - Third Horn of Alligin
Views to Loch a'Bhealaich and Baosbheinn  

Views back (SE) along Horns of Alligin from Na Rathanan (Third Horn of Alligin)

Views over Toll a'Mhadaidh  to Loch Torridon and Beinn Damph from Na Rathanan (Third Horn of Alligin)

Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mor from Na Rathanan (Third Horn of Alligin)

Rafe was a bit tired and a bit hot by the time we got to the summit of the Horns of Alligin, Na Rathanan (864m) - he had needed a bit of help across some of the scrambly bits, but that's what his harness is for. He was pleased to find a tiny lochan for a bit of a plodge.

Rafe cools his feet - ascent over Horns of Alligin - views to Baosbheinn

Ascent over Horns of Alligin to Sgurr Mor

There were a couple more minor, scrambly undulations, before we got stuck into the ascent of Sgurr Mor, our first Munro of the day.

Looking back (SE) along the NE escarpment of the Horns of Alligin to Beinn Eighe

Views back (SE) over the Horns of Alligin, Beinn Dearg and Liathach

Hot work!

Baosbheinn, Beinn over Shieldaig Forest from ascent of Sgurr Mor

Looking back (E) over the Horns of Alligin to Beinn Dearg from ascent of Sgurr Mor

There was definitely a haze coming in, the views no longer clear and sharp - but it was humid and sweaty - we dripped.

Loch Torridon from ascent of Sgurr Mor

The rough path up to Sgurr Mor was clear and obvious, whilst steep, it was a quick ascent - we soon topped out at the summit cairn - Sgurr Mor (Munro 162, 986m) - the views over Torridon were incredible.

Sgurr Mor summit (Munro 162, 986m) - views over the Horns to Beinn Dearg

Tomas was quite pleased to have completed his first Munro (restraint and understatement).

Tom na Gruagaich over Sgurr Mhor West Top from Sgurr Mor

We could see the rest of the Beinn Alligin ridge laid out ahead of us...

Eag Dubh (Black Cleft) - Beinn Alligin

The obligatory picture of the Eag Dubh - with a walker on either side - was dutifully taken!

Descent from Sgurr Mor with views to Sgurr Mhor West Top

Before rolling onwards over Beinn Alligin's ridge's undulations.

Sgurr Mhor West Top (859m) - views back (NE) to Sgurr Mor and Eag Dubh

Views north east along the Beinn Alligin ridge

Jim - ascent of Tom na Gruagaich

The ascent to Tom na Gruagaich was relatively easy - the rough path following the ridge above the steep escarpment, cliffs to our left - dramatic and impressive. The views now moody as the haze increased and cloud moved in.

Views back (NE) to Sgurr Mor and the Horns of Alligin from ascent of Tom na Gruagaich

Jim, Rafe and Tomas - ascent of Tom na Gruagaich

Looking back to the Horns of Alligin from ascent of Tom na Gruagaich

Nearing the summit of Tom na Gruagaich

We could still see the rest of the ridge behind us when we reached the summit of Tom na Gruagaich (Munro 268, 922m) - serrated and serried - but the higher hills around us were shrouded, cloud and mist roiling - views different, but no less spectacular.

Tom na Gruagaich summit (Munro 268, 922m)
Looking back (NE) to Sgurr Mhor West Top, Sgurr Mor and the Horns of Alligin

Rafe - Tom na Gruagaich summit

Once Tomas had celebrated his second Munro, with a drink and a sarnie, we continued on along the ridge, looking for the path down into Coire nan Laogh to the south - sad to see the last of the summits, but it looked as if we were now racing the weather...

Looking across to the south top from Tom na Gruagaich

The path, descending into the coire headed down from the bealach between Tom na Gruagaich and the South Top. It was rough, loose and eroded in places and quite steep - tough on tired knees and feet.

Descent into Coire nan Laogh from Tom na Gruagaich

And it was starting to rain!

Descent into Coire nan Laogh from Tom na Gruagaich 

We didn't mess about - the forecast for potential thunderstorms and heavy rain on our minds - jackets on!

Jim - descent through Coire nan Laogh 

The route was still very lovely - a proper hanging coire, cradling us in the hills - with views ahead across Loch Torridon.

Views north east to the Horns of Alligin and Beinn Dearg from descent out of Coire nan Laogh 

Tomas - Na Fasreidhnean, Coire nan Laogh and Tom na Gruagaich

It was quite a long descent - it seemed further than the distance on the map led us to expect - and longer than we remembered from last time (maybe we're getting old!).

Rafe - Eigh Dubh, Sgurr Mor and the Horns of Alligin from descent from Tom na Gruagaich

Rafie was pleased to find a few lochans - we had thought he was tired, but he was straight in, bouncing about and "doing his washing" - he just loves the water.

Tomas - views south east over Loch Torridon to Ben Damph from descent from Tom na Gruagaich 

The path improved as we neared the Coire Mhic Nobaill track - much nicer on the feet! And once on the main track we could look back up to our descent route with satisfaction - especially for Tomas.

Looking back (MW) from descent from Tom na Gruagaich

Beinn Eighe from descent into Coire Mhic Nobaill

Tomas and Jim - views south east over Loch Torridon to Ben Damph from descent into Coire Mhic Nobaill

It was a short, if slightly damp, stroll back to the car, through the woods. Tomas all big smiles now...

Hope we haven't put him off for life.

And we'd made it down to the car before the heavens opened. The rain was bouncing off the roads before we got back to the campsite. Glad we weren't in a tent that night!

Woods at the western end of Coire Mhic Nobaill near Torridon House

Route:  Car park nr. Torridon House 3km west of Torridon village (NG868576), E across bridge, N on footpath into Coire Mhic Nobuil, N across fb at NG 881589 towards Bealeach a'Chomhla, fb at NG882596, rough path NW over Horns of Alligin, (Na Rathanan Far East Top 815m, Na Rathanan East Top 858m, Na Rathanan Sim 866m), W to Sgurr Mhor (986m, Munro 162), Eag Dhubh, W to Sgur Mhor West Top (859m), SW then S to Tom na Gruagaich (922m, Munro 268) (just E off the path), S into Coire nan Laogh, return to Coire Mhic Nobuil and start.

Statistics:  Distance: 10km  Ascent: 1110m Time: 8 hours 15 minutes

Map:  Harvey Superwalker - Torridon


Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor

Setting off from Glen Feshie - it was chilly - before the sun had a chance to peep over the hills...  Off we go! Jim - Setting off near Auch...