Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019

Sue and Martin in Mallorca 2019
On the Archduke's Path in Mallorca

Wednesday, 19 May 2021

17 to 23 February 1980 - A Week in Torridon (Part 1 of 2)


L-R: John, Ron, Roger, Janet, Dave

For the next phase of my 1980 slide scanning exercise, a trip to Torridon. This was 'pre-diary', so the commentary, such as it is, is cobbled together from notes and memory.

The team on this occasion, and sadly there's no group photo, nor pictures of everyone who was there, was as follows, housed I think in several of Mrs MacDonald's chalets at Kinlochewe:

Roger Freeman*
Ron Butler
Alison Levers*
Christine (Alison's friend)
Janet Hydes*
Ken McNair*
Dave Scruby*
Daffyd Wynn (RIP)
John Mansell (RIP)
Maggie* and Trevor
Lorna, Andy, Dave, Neil and Mick (I don't remember who these people were 'connected' to, it was possibly their only trip with this mainly ex UMIST hiking club group)

Six* of the above will receive links to this posting, and are free to add their comments and corrections. The photos aren't brilliant but hopefully the memories will be happy. I'll cover the week in two postings.

We traveled up on Saturday, and on Sunday a few of us climbed Beinn Alligin. I think we just went to the Munro 'Top', Tom na Gruagaich, that was subsequently elevated to a Munro 'Mountain'. I'd already done the full traverse of the mountain a couple of times, and the easy route to the 'Top' must have been more appropriate for this group, who are pictured above in the Coire Mhic car park.

Waterfall in Coire Mhic, and Beinn Alligin

Ron and Janet on the Coire Mhic Nobuil path

Janet and Roger, with Liathach in the background

Ron, with Sgurr Mhor, Beinn Alligin's main summit, but I don't think we went there on this occasion

Dave, and the view north from the Alligin ridge

On Monday we went for a walk along the sea shore at Red Point near Gairloch.


That's Roger, in his distinctive apparel, on the beach at Red Point

On Tuesday (19 February) a few of us drove up to Inchnadamph for a walk up Ben More Assynt and Conival. There was a fine view towards An Teallach from the road to Ullapool.


Ullapool

Near the start of the climb up Ben More Assynt

The view west to Loch Assynt

Martin on the summit of Ben More Assynt (998 metres)

This is Roger, fully equipped in his glissading uniform

We got a good view down to Loch Assynt from the slopes of Conival

Ron, Janet and Roger, on the Conival ridge

I'd been up Ben More Assynt before, but this was my first time on Conival, from where I think the next picture is the view to the north west.


As we descended, the sun set behind Canisp.


On Wednesday (20 February), when the pictures portray another rainy day, some of the group joined me on a circular walk from Kinlochewe to Loch Coulin.

Maggie and Lorna near Kinlochewe

Climbing a high stile near Loch Coulin (the original image was very dark)

Wet weather hikers near Loch Coulin - L-R: Maggie, Dave, ? , Lorna?, Janet, ?, Trevor, Ron

Loch Coulin

Loch Coulin and Coulin Lodge

Loch Coulin and Sgurr Dubh

Maggie, by Loch Coulin

Dave and Maggie returning to Kinlochewe, with Slioch ahead in the gloom

That's it for now, the rest of the trip will follow tomorrow, but I'm afraid some of the party will still not be involved in the photos. There must have been quite a divergence of objectives, varying from dossing in the chalets to more serious climbing on mountains like Liathach. Let me know if you remember!
NB: Click on any image for a slideshow.

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