Beinn Liath Mhor

Due to bad motivation and even worth weather when i first tried to tackle it in 2000 Beinn Liath Mhor was still on my ticking list. Call it fate or just coincidence but the choosen location of the 2015 session made me use a very seldom choosen approach – in terms of locations and transportation – from Coulin. To save me some steps Cord offered to drive me from our cottage using the landrover track with our Fiat 500 upgrade called V70. After a little consideration where we should end our approach trip, he dropped me off a little bit too early, the V70 would have easily made the 1.5 miles to the hut, but never mind. The hut is in a very good state except the paint choosen if you take the notes in the hut seriously.

The walk along Easan Dorcha is exceptional beautiful and does in my opinion not lack comparison to the walk up Glen Derry. After reaching Drochaird Coire Lair – pittily in worsening weather – i started the very, very steep and narrow ascent to the ridge. I have not seen that many steep and narrow ascents, here you can trust me. The bad weather and the steepness accompinied me to Point 876. There only the steepness left me. It had snowed very heavy end of this April 2015 and i walked in newly snow up to my knees ignoring happily all the covered stone pits which i hit constantly more often than needed.

And up on the ridge two old friends accompanied me: “Gustly Winds” and “Hardly No Views”. Luckily the ridge is this defined that my eldest friend “Navigational Problems” should join me only later that day. After Point 876 i enyjoyed the downhill session which ended too soon with the reascent to Point 887. I was lucky that the elements enabled me to take some very dramatic pictures – where i met a long time forgotten fourth friend named “Loose My Glove”. There it went. Black Shadow. But since that remarkable day … [Read More]

2018-09-01T15:17:16+02:00April 28th, 2015|2000, 2015, 2019 - 2010, Coulin and Torridon|

Sgorr Ruadh

The Coire Lair Skyline. Route 57 in Ralph Storer’s book. Many times had I gone through this particular tour on the map. But since we had abysmal weather on or first try and only made it round the first half of the Skyline i.e. Beinn Liath Mhor we decided to take a different, non-standard approach to Sgorr Ruadh. We parked our car at the car park normally used as a starting point for Beinn Eighe in Glen Torridon. Then we crossed the river and followed the path which passes the SMC’s Ling Hut and continues due south along the right bank of the Allt Frianach. The path, which is very well maintained, leads through the corrie of the hundred hillocks. After 4 km the good path ends and gives way to a rather indistinct one which climbs up the hillside in the direction of the Bealach Ban between Sgorr Ruadh and Meall Dearg. The path disappears and reappears in places and even though route finding is no problem in good weather the terrain is rather featureless. Just south-west of Beinn Liath Mhor’s western slopes we passed through a mossy section and crossed a small burn where we saw one of the biggest frogs we ever had seen in Scotland. Soon afterwards we could see the rocky knoll which dominates the Bealach Coire Lair. The ascent to Sgorr Ruadh’s shoulder from the lochan at the bealach is steep but short. The shattered stone structures of Sgorr Ruadh facing Coire Lair are interesting and impressive. Once on the ridge we carried on in a south-easterly direction over quartzite blocks. Soon we got to the higher layers of red sandstone and after we had climbed the last few metres we suddenly stood at the summit stone shelter. There the character of the hill changes completely from shattered and bouldery to grassy and plateau-ish terrain. Unfortunately the summit veiled itself in clouds soon after we got there. Frank and I rested for a short while inside the shelter and then headed back to Glen … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:18:53+02:00October 1st, 2000|2000, 2009 - 2000, Coulin and Torridon|

Mullach an Rathain

2000 The hill of hills. Since we had tried to climb Liathach in 1995 and had failed due to bad weather close to the ridge of the hill it had been on our mind. Now on a very sunny Saturday in September we set out to climb this precious Torridonian hill. This being the first Munro we climbed in this particular party since we went up Beinn Sgritheall in September 1995 we were very much looking forward to it. Comming from Lower Diabaig we set out early in the morming from the car park in Glen Torridon close to where the well-maintained path up the Allt an Doire Ghairbh leads up into Toll a’ Meitheach. We were soon ovmullertaken by several hillwalkers among them being a very swift walking lady who – as we were to learn later – was from California. We paused high up in the Toll and could see the lochans on top of Seana Mheallan across the Glen. Branching to the right we soon reached the bealach west of Stuc A’ Choire Dhuibh Bhig. We paused for some photographs and some water and continued west along the main ridge over  the two subsidiary tops of Bidean Toll A’ Mhuic to the bealach below Spidean a’ Choire Leith where the alternative route from Toll a’ Meitheach joins the path on the ridge. It looked very steep indeed from up there. From this point it was a short and sharp ascent to the summit of the day’s first Munro Spidean a’ Choire Leith. There we were soon accompanied by half a dozen other climbers, among them the Californian climber, who were all happy that they had made it and that the weather was so fine. The view across the glens to Beinn Alligin, Beinn Dearg and Beinn Eighe were marvellous. Most exciting was the look ahead, though, along the ridge of Liathach towards its second Munro Mullach an Rathain. Pinnacles, vertical drops and great corries lay ahead. We soon continued down the southern ridge of Spidean a’ Choire … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:18:53+02:00September 1st, 2000|2000, 2009 - 2000, Coulin and Torridon|

Spidean a’Choire Leith

2000 The hill of hills. Since we had tried to climb Liathach in 1995 and had failed due to bad weather close to the ridge of the hill it had been on our mind. Now on a very sunny Saturday in September we set out to climb this precious Torridonian hill. This being the first Munro we climbed in this particular party since we went up Beinn Sgritheall in September 1995 we were very much looking forward to it.

Comming from Lower Diabaig we set out early in the morming from the car park in Glen Torridon close to where the well-maintained path up the Allt an Doire Ghairbh leads up into Toll a’ Meitheach. We were soon overtaken by several hillwalkers among them being a very swift walking lady who – as we were to learn later – was from California.

We paused high up in the Toll and could see the lochans on top of Seana Mheallan across the Glen. Branching to the right we soon reached the bealach west of Stuc A’ Choire Dhuibh Bhig. We paused for some photographs and some water and continued west along the main ridge over  the two subsidiary tops of Bidean Toll A’ Mhuic to the bealach below Spidean a’ Choire Leith where the alternative route from Toll a’ Meitheach joins the path on the ridge. It looked very steep indeed from up there.

From this point it was a short and sharp ascent to the summit of the day’s first Munro Spidean a’ Choire Leith. There we were soon accompanied by half a dozen other climbers, among them the Californian climber, who were all happy that they had made it and that the weather was so fine.

The view across the glens to Beinn Alligin, Beinn Dearg and Beinn Eighe were marvellous. Most exciting was the look ahead, though, along the ridge of Liathach towards its second Munro Mullach an Rathain. Pinnacles, vertical drops and great corries lay ahead. We soon continued down the southern ridge of Spidean a’ Choire Leith to where the Pinnacle … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:18:53+02:00September 1st, 2000|2000, 2009 - 2000, Coulin and Torridon|

Ruadh-stac Mor

2000 Beinn Eighe. Quite a few times before – when passing through Glen Torridon – I had seen its scree flanks and had wondered what the northern corries of that giant hill might look like. Now in the late morning of a beautifully sunny late September day Stephanie dropped me off at the car park close to where the Allt Coire an Anmoich crosses the road from Torridon village to Kinlochewe. Vigourously I walked up the well-maintained path into Coire Dubh Mor from where – after an hour of walking – I caught my life’s first glimpse of the Pinnacle Ridge of Liathach’s Meall Dearg. Wow! Soon I reached the fork of the path and continued around the steep flank of Sail Mhor to the entrance of Coire Mhic Fhearchair. The Tripple Buttress is so beautiful from Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair – I paused and marvelled at it. What a corrie!! Soon I had made my way around the loch and started the ascent of the south eastern corner of Coire Mhic Fhearchair where a succession of pools makes for interesting walking. Once above the pools I started the slog up the scree gully during which I met a friendly group of hillwalkers on their way down from Beinn Eighe. When I had reached the bealach I continued to the summit of Ruadh-stac Mor. I took in the views over the plateau stretching out to the north with remote Baosbeinn and its neighbour Beinn an Eoin being just two of the interesting hills protruding from that flat area of high land bordering Loch Maree. Alas, I had to go on since time was scarce: Stephanie was to pick me up from the car park in Glen Torridon in three hours time and I wanted to see more of this grand hill. So back I went to the bealach above Coire Mhic Fearchair and further on to the plateau of Coinneach Mhor. Turning eastward along the main ridge of the hill the bouldery crest, with the rock changing from quartzite to … [Read More]

2017-09-19T14:18:53+02:00September 1st, 2000|2000, 2009 - 2000, Coulin and Torridon|

Sgurr Mhor

1991 1st Munro ever. Wolfgang and i did the complete traverse from Tom na Gruagaich to Sgurr Mhor. Since we were that inexperienced we missed the steep pull first – we thought that it was too steep but we stood corrected later. I recalled that we walked in shorts and in 1991 the Tom wasn’t a Munro yet. Thanks to SMC that happened 1997 when they decided to remeasure. Black Cleft is really a dramatic gully just before Sgurr Mhor. We bypassed the Horns … as we would 2 years later. I still wonder why.

Well that was my 1st Munro ever. This was how it started.

1993 Complete traverse of Beinn Alligin from Sgurr Mhor to Tom na Gruagaich. Bypass of the Horns. Good visibility. Cleft directly after the Sgurr quite impressing. First DH (Doppelhorror).

2019-01-02T22:08:58+01:00September 1st, 1991|1991, 1993, 1999 - 1991, Coulin and Torridon|

Tom na Gruagaich

1991 Traverse from Tom na Gruagaich to Squrr Mhor. We left the actual ascent to Tom on the left – it couldn’t be, it’s much too steep – we wanted to climb the Toll a’ Mhadaidh Mor first. Then however came the insight that this was even a worse idea: it was much steeper. The ascent was really very, very steep – i thought – maybe because it was one of the first mountains ever I climbed in Scotland. In 1991 Tom was not yet a Munro. Very nice the fissure in front of Sgurr Mor. We bypassed the Horns on a slippery, narrow path. Well, that’s how it all started.

1993 New Munro in 1997 revision. Complete traverse of Beinn Alligin from Sgurr Mhor to Tom na Gruagaich. Bypass of the Horns. Good visibility. Cleft directly after the Sgurr quite impressing. (Cord had the most severe knee problems I’ve ever experienced with him – he even backed Tom down on all fours)

2019-08-21T03:37:14+02:00September 1st, 1991|1991, 1993, 1999 - 1991, Coulin and Torridon|

Spidean Coire nan Clach

2000 Beinn Eighe. Quite a few times before – when passing through Glen Torridon – I had seen its scree flanks and had wondered what the northern corries of that giant hill might look like. Now in the late morning of a beautifully sunny late September day Stephanie dropped me off at the car park close to where the Allt Coire an Anmoich crosses the road from Torridon village to Kinlochewe. Vigourously I walked up the well-maintained path into Coire Dubh Mor from where – after an hour of walking – I caught my life’s first glimpse of the Pinnacle Ridge of Liathach’s Meall Dearg. Wow! Soon I reached the fork of the path and continued around the steep flank of Sail Mhor to the entrance of Coire Mhic Fhearchair. The Tripple Buttress is so beautiful from Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair – I paused and marvelled at it. What a corrie!! Soon I had made my way around the loch and started the ascent of the south eastern corner of Coire Mhic Fhearchair where a succession of pools makes for interesting walking. Once above the pools I started the slog up the scree gully during which I met a friendly group of hillwalkers on their way down from Beinn Eighe. When I had reached the bealach I continued to the summit of Ruadh-stac Mor. I took in the views over the plateau stretching out to the north with remote Baosbeinn and its neighbour Beinn an Eoin being just two of the interesting hills protruding from that flat area of high land bordering Loch Maree. Alas, I had to go on since time was scarce: Stephanie was to pick me up from the car park in Glen Torridon in three hours time and I wanted to see more of this grand hill. So back I went to the bealach above Coire Mhic Fearchair and further on to the plateau of Coinneach Mhor. Turning eastward along the main ridge of the hill the bouldery crest, with the rock changing from quartzite to … [Read More]

2019-01-02T22:08:46+01:00September 1st, 1991|1991, 1999 - 1991, Coulin and Torridon|
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