Wednesday 23 April 2008 - Back in Deepest Cheshire

It’s summer again, with light nights and a beer outside the hostelry before our regular evening walk.
Tonight we started from The Bells of Peover, with a pint of Bombardier. As we had allowed an hour for the journey, and it took half that time, it was a very leisurely drink that we enjoyed before Andrew, tonight’s leader, turned up and directed us along his well planned route.

Bells of Peover is a Grade I listed building which dates back to the mid 13th Century. It was originally known as the Warren de Tabley Arms but was changed to the present title in the 1890s. Many people think it gets its name from the church bells next door, but it was named after the Bell family who continued to run it for several generations. George Bell is buried just 50 yards away in the adjoining church. The Stars and Stripes fly alongside the Union Jack because Eisenhower and Patton were stationed nearby at the Hall during the war and held strategy meetings in the bar at the pub!

It was a clear night, but warm enough for sandals and a thin fleece. As we tramped through the fresh Cheshire countryside the sun sank slowly behind us, illuminating Andrew’s carefully produced map of the route, and giving the trees above us a pinkish glow at dusk.

Whilst Andrew got edgy about the timing of his next pint, Sue enjoyed the company of these two frisky horses.

Before long, we had zoomed past the Whipping Stocks and were homing in to the discordant clangs of five of Lower Peover church’s six bells, the ringing practice turnout being somewhat inadequate tonight. Continuing down pleasant paths and over a busy mill race, we soon arrived at our destination. The clangers had just about finished, so we were able to restrain Sue from stepping into the breach and calm her down with a glass of cider.

Here’s the route, 9 km with 50 metres of ascent (Cheshire has a gentle slant, according to Andrew) and taking just under two hours.

Tuesday 22 April 2008 - Back in Sunny Timperley

We don’t seem to spend much time here nowadays, and part of the roof that blew off whilst we were in New Zealand still hasn’t been repaired…
But who cares. It’s sunny, the birds are singing, the hedges have greened up and are blossoming; the cherry blossom is particularly abundant. Even some of the larger trees are exhibiting a green sheen of new growth.
The Bridgewater Canal’s towpath has even been dried by the keen east wind, so my galoshes have been left at home and the washing machine hasn’t been needed after every short bike ride.
The mallards have been busy as well - I passed some baby ducklings today.

Saturday 19 April 2008 - Reflections and Journeys

Today’s entry is really for the purpose of wrapping up my notes on our energetic trip to Torridon in fabulous weather.

The above map shows the locations of the cottage and the walks we enjoyed during the week.
I think it really demonstrates well that once you have arrived in Torridon, very little driving is needed - a wide variety of fabulous walks are literally on your doorstep.

The reports on the individual days can be accessed via the ‘Torridon08’ label on this blog. The entries were made each evening from the cottage (occasionally under duress!) and the photos were added later.

I’ve discovered that one of the disadvantages of the format of this blog is the inability to effectively publish (my albeit rather amateurish) panoramic images, other than as a header or footer, due to the narrow space available. I like the format apart from that, so don’t intend to change it. On this occasion I’ve published a separate web page which is a better medium for the wider images. It also summarises the trip and provides some statistics which may be of interest to those who came along.

Whilst Notchy, Dave, Pam and Paul enjoyed an uneventful 10 hour journey home, Sue and I had TGOC food stashes to drop off. We also had Heather’s stashes to take back home as we had discovered that her poorly metatarsal had suffered a setback, meaning that she is out of this year’s Challenge.

It proved a long but pleasurable journey, and we were very lucky to escape past a comatose petrol tanker that was lying on its side on the A82 near Fort Augustus, before the police and fire engines arrived to stem the river of fuel that we had to drive through, and no doubt also stem the flow of traffic and rescue the driver!

Further on, we enjoyed this classic view of Ben Nevis from the Memorial at Spean Bridge.

Most importantly, we arrived in Dundee in plenty of time to enjoy a lovely evening with Chris and Avril, and their daughter Sue and her children. Chris and Avril had been with me in Ullapool in 2006 (I think the report may still be outstanding!) and were very jealous of the good weather we had enjoyed in Torridon.

Thank you Chris and Avril for such a lovely evening to conclude this most pleasurable trip.

Gripped To My Office Chair

I've just picked this up from John Manning's blog. Rarely do I watch this sort of thing all the way through, but I had to, I was gripped in my office chair!

If you click on the picture and watch the video, you'll see what I mean....

John comments: "I’m currently organising an outdoor festival in the South Pennines, I’m now going to check the liability cover is adequate!"

So that should be a Festival With a Difference!

Friday 18 April 2008 - A Big Day on Beinn Eighe

THIS IS NALLO LADY'S POSTING FOR 18 APRIL

This was a big day for Dave, Paul, Pam and me – Beinn Eighe, after Martin’s frittata for breakfast.
It was another lovely morning, although the wind was brisk and cold. There was a good rising path from the plantation near Loch Bharranch.

The final snowy section (above) up to the first summit was hard work, with axes employed despite the soft snow, due to the steepness of the slope. Elevenses of tea and caramel shortbread had been just in time!

A man and his seven year old Munro bagging son were also going well.

The snow was good up to and beyond the Munro summit of Spidean Coire nan Clach, where Pam and Paul are pictured below, and the ridge ahead, with Liathach as a backdrop, was beautiful.

The ridge was narrow but felt safe – we were all high as kites with the blue sky and stunning views.

Lunch was on a snow-free, south facing slope with a grandstand view of Liathach, always bathed in sun. Clouds from the east evaporated as they passed overhead.

There was another stiff pull up to the point where another narrow ridge heads off to the main summit of this mountain, Ruadh-stac Mòr. The wind now increased in earnest, spindrift filling the air. The chill wind bit into our faces and strengthened as we approached the summit. Care and strength were needed to stay upright. Dave and I reached the summit and waited….and waited…
Meanwhile Pam and Paul were hunkered down in the snow on the final approach, as Pam had nearly blown away! Here they are, just after staggering to their feet after their long 'hunker'.

A team effort got us all back up to the summit.

On the descent we encountered others nearing the final haul to the summit. We recommended approaching from the leeward side! Here we are, descending to the right of our upward route.

The next obstacle was the gully into Coire Mhic Fhearchair. Although the snow was mostly soft there were a couple of tricky sections where it was shallow, steep and icy. …Steep, but enjoyable once the difficulties were over.

After this we descended gradually to the clear lochan, where the breeze was still stiff. Stepping stones made easy work of crossing the outflow, then a good path traversed the hillside, descending gradually. The northern flanks of Liathach again revealed themselves, covered in snow.
We saw several more folk after a break for afternoon tea by some waterfalls, before completing the final 5-6 km in a cold headwind that persisted all the way back to the car.

What an epic day on which to conclude a wonderful week!

Here's our route - 16 km and 1200 metres ascent:

Friday 18 April 2008 - Blue Skies over Beinn Eighe

Today Notchy and I enjoyed the walk from the Ling Hut car park along the much improved Coire Mhic Nobuil path around the 'back' of Liathach.

A strong, bitter easterly wind had discouraged us from going higher, despite the clear blue sky above. Having normally done this walk in the rain, I found it a pleasure to have such fine conditions. The four and a half hours it took to reach the car park below Beinn Alligin passed all too quickly.

The scenery reminded us of the Annapurna Circuit; only the scale was different!

We started with a number of folk who may have been going up Beinn Eighe, but were more likely just walking up to Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair for a gander at the snow clad triple buttresses. We met two cyclists battling against the headwind. They had chosen the wrong direction, and given the boggy terrain in the middle section of today's route, perhaps an inadvisable cycle track. It didn't look hugely enjoyable. We weren't sure whether they should be here at all, but they seemed harmless enough.

This is our lunchtime view towards Beinn Dearg and Beinn Alligin (the shot left to magnificent, Annapurna-like, Liathach was directly into the sun).

And here is the village of Torridon, passed through on our way back to Annat.

Meanwhile the others bravely headed up Beinn Eighe via Coire an Laoigh, for a fabulous if at times stressful (Nallo Lady may report later) day on that mountain, visiting both Munro summits and descending via Loch Coire Mhic Fhearcheir. They were elated after that, and appeared relieved to have survived after being pinned down by wind on the ridge and accelerated by ice on the steep descent into the Coire.

I recall a day up here with Nick and Johnny, when it wasn't so windy but Johnny's rope was used to rescue someone who had fallen, and the air was thick with feathers from the poor man's ripped jacket. When was that, Nick?

Nick replies:
Thanks for reminding me once again of the exciting trip we had to Beinn Eighe all those years ago. It was a week which also saw Johnny and I climb up an interesting gully between the 'horns' of Beinn Alligin. I also recall a walk we did more recently when we enjoyed a scree run almost all the way down to the deer fence, it seemed. Was that the same day we sat with some of the Aberdeen guys in a precarious position on the ridge in the mist? And I have a photo of one of the wheels of the wrecked WWII plane somewhere.
Anyway, we reckon the 'rescue' was about 1983 or 84 based on where Johnny remembers he was working at the time. I guess that means we must have travelled up from London together.

Thanks Nick - I may be able to track down some notes and do a 'retrospective' on this!

The route Notchy and I took today is shown below - 19 km and 500 metres ascent.

Thursday 17 April 2008 - Dazzled on Beinn Damh

A lie in was allowed as Janet from Inverness was joining us.

Another cloudless morning greeted us, Janet arrived as planned, and we set off up Beinn Damh at 9.30.

The walk through the native pine forest was delightful.

It was a cool morning, with a brisk easterly wind, but we were relatively sheltered right up to the 600 metre col. We made sure that our compulsory 'elevenses' were taken, according to tradition, in a nice warm sheltered spot with a fine view.

Much extra clothing was needed at the col to combat the icy wind, but heading up the ridge we regained the lee of the mountain and enjoyed warmer, calmer conditions. The snow was firm and easy today - not like yesterday's sugary blemonge (sic - see Nick's comment).

The final ridge proved enjoyable, with no horrendous abysses to trouble the vertigo sufferers amongst us.

Remarkably, it was calm and warm on the 903m summit, where the seven of us enjoyed lunch with fine vistas under a dazzling sun. Views extended far and wide, perhaps the best of the week, with all the local hills looking very close, and fine views to the Cuillins and the central and northern Highlands.

The magical vistas accompanied us all afternoon. Janet's chocolate gave us a boost before most of us visited the NW outlier, Sgurr na Bana Mhoraire, which overlooks the magnificence of Loch Torridon and the Hebrides beyond.

An easy descent brought us down to the daily tea and cakes we all enjoy, followed by the Pacific Ramblers' gunpowder sausages, then Sue's apple crumble - finished just in time to witness another stunning sunset.

And so ended yet another wonderful mountain day.

Today's route is shown below - 15 km and 1300 metres ascent for those who did it all.

Wednesday 16 April 2008 - Slioch in the Sun

An early morning peek behind the blinds revealed a cloudless sky - so no rest for the tired legs today!
Whilst Notchy went to explore the Diabeg coastline and the Pacific Ramblers donned shorts for a perambulation around Beinn Damh, Dave, Sue and I daubed ourselves with suntan cream and tried to re-energise our muscles on the walk in to Slioch from Incheril.
A lovely gentle stroll in hot sunshine took us beside the Kinlochewe River.

Then we strolled briefly by Loch Maree - where we heard our first cuckoo of the year - to a new bridge across the river from Gleann Bianasdail.
Once across this bridge, the ascent starts - on a nicely graded path that soon heads up towards Coire na Sleaghaich. We lingered beside the river, admiring strenuous waterfalls.
A man in a kilt and two others passed nearby, on their way up Sgurr Dubh. We didn't see them, or anyone else, again.

Up in the coire above 600 metres the boggy surface became covered in sugary snow, making progress slow. The steep ascent at the head of the coire (above and slightly right of Sue's head in the photo) required much effort, but once up that it was an easy snow trudge to the twin summits of Slioch (980 metres). It had taken 4 hours and 20 minutes.

Here's a view from the summit.

And here Dave and Sue are returning to the main summit from the northern summit.

The conditions were superb, with clear views in all directions. But it was cool - minus 20C with windchill.

We considered traversing the ridge to the east, but it sharpened and had lots of spindrift from the icy wind. So a quick descent through steep sugary snow back into the coire for a late lunch on a warm rock was followed by a beautiful walk back on this lovely sunny day that has given some of us very red faces.

We saw many deer today, including this small herd of females who had their patch beside the path and were jolly well not going to move, however close we got!

We also saw goats and herons and much more; back in Annat our first house martins of the year were flitting about, together with the ubiquitous oyster catchers (they weren't actually 'flitting'!). Loch Torridon also sported sightings of curlew, common sandpiper, greenshank, and many more no doubt - but we have no 'birders' with us this week.

Our home for the week, Annat Lodge, looked magnificent in the evening sun with its backdrop of a blue sky and a nearly full moon.

It just doesn't come better than this!

Today's route is shown below - 19 km with 1300 metres ascent.

Tuesday 15 April 2008 - Beinn Eighe's outliers put up a fight

More overnight snow above 500 metres gave the hills a shiny fresh look as we drove to Kinlochewe.
Five of us headed up the well graded 'Pony Track' towards two outlying Corbetts in the Beinn Eighe massif, whilst Notchy found his own route from further up the road.

Here we are with our first objective, Meall a' Ghiubhais (886m), which gradually grew in stature as we approached.

The Beinn Eighe range opened out, much higher, in the other direction. Sunglasses were essential to counter the blindingly bright yellow orb. Cameras were constantly out to record the thrilling scenery on this fantastic wintry day. Those on our Christmas Card List may see something like this in December...

Steps were kicked by Sue (again - the rest of us are pensioners)!

These led us to the first summit for more excellent vistas, with Loch Maree and Slioch now also in view.

A lone woman had just tramped past, curiously not bothering to either stop and admire the views, or visit the true summit, some 10 minutes to the west of us. Here we are at that summit, with the Beinn Eighe range stretched before us. Our next objective, Ruadh-stac Beag, is in the foreground above Paul's head.

On descent we met Notchy, and another couple of people on this fine hill in winter conditions (it may be rather boring in summer!).

After lunch we headed up our second Corbett of the day, Ruadh-stac Beag (896m). I followed the recommended route beside a burn, past this pretty waterfall.

Dave for some reason led the others directly upwards towards impenetrable crags. My shouts and arrows in the snow failed to dissuade them from their doomed quest for the summit. Meanwhile I continued to the col, then endured a 30 minute thrutch through deep, soft, sugary snow up the steep climb to the deserted summit.

Meanwhile the others gave up their bid to penetrate the crags, Pam and Paul went down, whilst Sue and Dave retraced to pick up my prints and chase me to the summit. I encountered them as I descended steeply through the sugar. Here's Dave descending from the summit, still in 'chase mode', with Beinn Eighe behind.

On the way down I rejoined the Pony Track by the small lochan from where, earlier, we had enjoyed dramatic snowy vistas. The shot on the right shows just how much of today's fresh snow had melted since we passed earlier. The April sunshine had certainly had a big effect today.

Pam and Paul, the Pacific Ramblers, had returned to the car, where all five of us reconvened at 6.15 after another superb day out.

Dave's carbonara, the manufacture of which we think featured telepathic communications with Pat, rounded the day off!

Today's route, for the three of us who did it, was roughly as shown below - about 18 km with 1400 metres of ascent:

Monday 14 April 2008 - Familiar Ground

Flinging the blinds open to a bright sunny day after overnight showers, we were energised into a 9-o-clock start up Beinn Alligin. Here's the view from outside Annat Lodge.

All apart from Notchy, that is. He set off on a 24km circumnavigation of Beinn Damh.

Beinn Alligin is a favourite hill of mine.

Familiar Ground.

Today we ascended into Coir' nan Laogh rather than start over the Horns. Above 600 metres it was a simple snow plod up the coire to the summit.

Fabulous views greeted us - back to Liathach and Beinn Eighe and the rest of the Torridon peaks.

Only now did we need a windproof shell on this fine, calm day.
There was nobody else on the hill - we have now spent two days walking without seeing another soul.
After a slightly tricky descent down terraces covered with unstable snow, we rose easily past the spectacular Eag Dubh cleft to the even more splendid viewpoint at 986 metres - Sgurr Mhor, with a fine view to the Horns, with Beinn Dearg beyond.

Snow clad peaks were arrayed in all directions, from the Cuillins of Skye to Eastern summits, with the Fisherfield Forest and An Teallach prominent to the North.

None of us fancied the scramble over the Horns of Alligin - given the looseness of the snow on the rocks, so we descended a huge snow slope into An Reidh-choire for lunch.
As we descended, snowballs raced each other ahead of us. Later these were joined by the top of Paul's flask.

I tried to glissade but just got wet trousers.
Our descent around the back of the mountain to the road was uneventful aside from a wet crawl under a deer fence to reach the road.
It was a lovely afternoon, and only 4pm, the reason Dave gave for walking the 4 miles back to the lodge. Or was he scared of Paul's driving?

Here's today's route, 12 km and 1200 metres ascent: