Nine days in Scotland.
We're back in Cumbria after nine days in Scotland. We had one very wet day but the weather has generally been very good. Unfortunately our North Face Fortress 33 tent has caused a few problems after only five and a half years of service. Firstly, the groundsheet let water in after 12 hours of heavy rain and secondly, the majority of the flysheet to inner tent connection points came off. The first problem was solved with a cheap groundsheet and the second with 'gaffer' tape and some bits of 'tat'. A new base camp tent is now a must.
The following is a picture diary of our trip during which Susan added 10 more Munros to her 'tick list'. She now has 71 to go!!!
Saturday - We left Symington early in the morning and drove to Loch Awe to climb the two Munros of Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh. The last time I completed this round the cloud was down and it rained for much of the day so it was great to head off in sunshine with the prospect of good views.
Saturday - We left Symington early in the morning and drove to Loch Awe to climb the two Munros of Ben Cruachan and Stob Diamh. The last time I completed this round the cloud was down and it rained for much of the day so it was great to head off in sunshine with the prospect of good views.
Climbing above Loch Awe on a stunning day.
Ben Cruachan above the Cruachan Dam.
Climbing the rocky upper slopes of Ben Cruachan.
The first summit of the trip.
Starting the superb ridge to Stob Diamh.
Looking back to the shapely Ben Cruachan.
The second summit of the day.
Having a wee rest in a 'wee country' - the highlands stretching north into the distance.
The great views continued as we descended back to the Cruachan Dam.
Nearly back to the start after a great round.
We camped for the night in Tyndrum at the By the Way Campsite
Sunday - We headed out under clear skies to climb two Monros in the Black Mount above Rannoch Moor - Stob a'Choire Odhair and Stob Ghabhar. By the end of the day cloud had built up and light rain began to fall.
Monday - It was dry when we went to bed but overnight heavy rain began to fall continuously. We woke to a rather damp tent but decided to pack up and head north to the better campsite in Glen Nevis. We managed to keep everything but the tent dry. It rained heavily for at least 15 hours but luckily stopped in time for us to pitch the tent in sunshine. It soon dried out and we had a good night.
Sunday - We headed out under clear skies to climb two Monros in the Black Mount above Rannoch Moor - Stob a'Choire Odhair and Stob Ghabhar. By the end of the day cloud had built up and light rain began to fall.
Ready for another day on the hill.
Starting the walk in from Victoria Bridge.
A strange Gnome appeared halfway up Stob a'Choire Odhair.
On the cloudy summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair.
Heading for Stob Ghabhar.
Looking back at Stob a'Choire Odhair.
The steep climb up to the 'other Aonach Eagach' ridge.
About to start the 'other Aonach Eagach' ridge.
On the 'other Aonach Eagach' ridge with late snow cover.
The 'other Aonach Eagach' ridge.
Looking back along the ridge.
Susan way ahead on the summit of Stob Ghabhar.
On the summit.
The view NW from the summit.
Back at Clashgour Hut owned by Glasgow University Mountaineering Club.
Great views on the walk out but threatening Skies.
Monday - It was dry when we went to bed but overnight heavy rain began to fall continuously. We woke to a rather damp tent but decided to pack up and head north to the better campsite in Glen Nevis. We managed to keep everything but the tent dry. It rained heavily for at least 15 hours but luckily stopped in time for us to pitch the tent in sunshine. It soon dried out and we had a good night.
Drying out in Glen Nevis.
Tuesday - As the forecast was good we headed north to climb Susan's last Munro above Loch Quoich - Sgurr a' Mhaoraich. This gave some fantastic views into the Rough Bounds of Knoydart and out to the Western Isles. A superb day!!!
Friday - The forecast was for rain and low cloud so we decided to head down the road to spend the weekend in Symington. We arrived there in sunshine.
Saturday - As we'd left our bikes in Symington on the way north we decided to make the most of them and headed out for Pebbles. Susan was keen to re-visit Cocoa Black and so was I.
Sunday - We couldn't resist another wee cycle before heading home to Cumbria so did the Broughton - Biggar round on another lovely morning. A fine way to end a great week in Scotland.
Getting ready for another day 'Munro Bagging' by Loch Quoich.
We saw several Deer as we climbed quickly up an excellent stalkers path.
Climbing above Loch Quoich.
The ridge to Sgurr a' Mhaoraich.
Patches of old snow had to be crossed on route.
Approaching the summit cairn.
Looking west to Loch Hourn and Knoydart.
'Why we climb Scottish Mountains' - the western panorama from the summit.
A stunning day.
We extended the walk by complete the horseshoe around this corrie - we saw no one!!
Susan enjoy the climb to Am Bathaich.
On Am Bathaich with Sgurr a' Mhaoraich in the background.
Rain began to fall on the descent but stopped before we reached the car.
Unfortunately when we got back to the tent the inner tent had collapsed as the attachment points had 'come away' from the flysheet. Fortunately Susan's idea of using 'gaffer tape' to re-attach it worked well and it got us through the rest of the trip.
Tent repairs - not a good advert for North Face Tents.
Wednesday - With another good forecast we decided on a route I've wanted to repeat for some time - the Ring of Steall which takes in 4 Mamores Munros all of which were on Susan's to do list. The round was as good as I remembered with fine ridges a a wee bit of scrambling.
Booting up at the head of the Glen Nevis road.
We were not put off!!!!
Steall Falls in upper Glen Nevis.
The Steall Hut.
On route to the first Munro with Ben Nevis in the background.
A stunning day - again.
An Gearanach Summit with Stob Coire a' Chairn along the ridge.
The Ring of Steall.
Some easy scrambling on route to Stob Coire a' Chairn.
The summit of Stob Coire a' Chairn - cooling in a fresh breeze.
Heading for Munro 3 Am Bodach.
The summit shot on Am Bodach.
A great view of Stob Ban another Mamores peak.
On the narrow but easy 'Devils Ridge'
Some mild scrambling on the ridge.
Looking back along the ridge - nearly at the 4th summit.
On the summit of Sgurr a' Mhaim.
A long descent to Glen Nevis but worth the effort.
Sgurr a' Mhaim from the campsite on Wednesday evening.
Thursday - We couldn't believe our luck when the forecast was again good. We didn't want to drive far so headed back up Glen Nevis to 'tick off'' Sgurr Choinnich Mor the western most peak in the Grey Corries.
Upper Glen Nevis on a stunning morning.
A long walk in along the glen.
Climbing towards the shapely Sgurr Choinnich Mor.
Great views of Aonach Beag and Aonach Mor.
Passing over a wee top on route to the summit.
Looking back to the 'top'.
On the summit of Sgurr Choinnich Mor.
Starting the long descent.
We made the most of the warm sunny weather.
Friday - The forecast was for rain and low cloud so we decided to head down the road to spend the weekend in Symington. We arrived there in sunshine.
Saturday - As we'd left our bikes in Symington on the way north we decided to make the most of them and headed out for Pebbles. Susan was keen to re-visit Cocoa Black and so was I.
On the road to Broughton.
A novel signpost.
Following the Tweed Cycle Way to Peebles.
Stunning Border scenery.
In Peebles.
The 'Target' for Susan's ride.
Heading back over Dreva.
Sunday - We couldn't resist another wee cycle before heading home to Cumbria so did the Broughton - Biggar round on another lovely morning. A fine way to end a great week in Scotland.
A drink stop in Broughton.
Heading back to Symington from Biggar.
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