07967 002260
Johnny Walker Mountain Leading
  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • Useful Links >
      • Scottish Avalanche Information Service
      • Mountain Weather Information Service
      • Mountaineering Council of Scotland
      • Mountain Training Association
    • Gallery
    • Contact
  • Why hire me?
    • Why hire me?
    • Summer
    • Winter and Winter Courses
  • Booking
    • Booking
    • Price List
    • Kitlists
    • Booking Terms and Conditions
    • Availability
  • Testimonials
  • Blog

Welcome to my blog

I don't always write a blog, and indeed some of the companies I work for as a freelancer specifically insist that I don't, but I do occasionally like to put my thoughts and trips into words for posterity, by way of a wee diary, and also an illustration of what I get up to with folks. I do hope you find it interesting, and would welcome any feedback or comments.
The best way to search my Archive to see if anything is of interest to you is to type into Google 'johnnywalker.co.uk', then a space, then your query, e.g. 'Arrochar', and you will get a selection of pages and blogs

Google Search

Summer at last!

11/6/2015

0 Comments

 
After some serious munro bagging over a week or so, and particularly their long, wet and arduous round of the Fisherfield 6, (yes I know there are only 5 munros now SMC, but why not leave the list alone eh!?),  father and son team of Fergus and George  and I were hoping for at least a dry day for our traverse of the Grey One, the mighty Liathach. We weren't disappointed, with 17c in the valley, and cool clear air on the summits. Hoorah!

We met at 9am, and after some car shuffling to avoid a tedious road walk at the end of the day, we set off up the excellent path towards the bealach before Stuc a'Choire Dhuidh Bhig. The cloud lifted as we ascended, along with our spirits. At the bealach we were treated to views of Beinn Eighe to the east, Beinn Dearg to the north, and of course Baosbheinn to the north-north east, (which I have still to climb, NB!).

Turning west, we made short work of the airy ridge and undulations before our first munro, only pausing to remove layers and to let a gentleman fell-runner of rather distinguished age whizz by, (he was 'the talk of the steamie' in the Torridon Inn that evening  I can tell you, where much younger  running folk were mightily impressed ).  At the summit of Bidean a'Choire Leith we paused as the cloud cleared, revealing our main course of the day, the Am Fasarinen pinnacles, resplendent in the strengthening sunshine. We also had 360 degree views of the Coulin hills, An Teallach in the distance, the Fannichs, the Monar hills and many more.

After the bouldery and awkward quartzite descent of Bidean, we were pleased to arrive at the first sandstone narrowing on the ridge. The bypass path headed off to our left lower down, but that wasn't for us today. George and Fergus dispatched the exposed neck of rock with aplomb, and the scene was set for some great scrambling. Pinnacle after pinnacle came and went, some taken direct, some ascended or descended using shallow gullies or chimneys depending on steepness. The rock is grippy, being Torridonian sandstone 4 billion years old, eroded by wind and water into so many giant rocky stacks of pancakes.

When we got to the final descent, we were so enjoying ourselves we went back up a steeper corner feature for good measure. It wasn't a day for hurrying.

All too soon the scrambling was over, and after another pause to take in the views, we walked onwards and upwards to the final munro, Mullach an Rathain. From here you can look back over the pinnacles, and westwards to Beinn Alligin and the sea. By now it was calm and warm, and we soaked up the atmosphere fully before getting out the poles again for the descent. The erosion in the scree -filled coire that is the descent route is slowly being improved by the NTS, and the lower reaches are on a good path now. That doesn't detract from its steepness however, and it is always a tough one on the knees!

It is always a shame to plan a day on such a great mountain, only to be forced into taking the bypass paths by wind, rain, snow or all three. Today we were treated to a Red Letter day of perfect weather, and even the midges were having a lazy day. It makes all the dreich days worthwhile, as 'you've got to be in it to win it'! Thanks to George and Fergus for great company on a cracking day. 

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    August 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015

    Categories

    All

Proudly powered by Weebly
Proudly powered by Weebly