A little cloud on the hills today, but it looked like it would burn off, so we set off (from our campsite at Melness) to climb Ben Hope - the most northerly Munro.
We decided to take the "tourist route" - which proved to be a very steep muddy ascent to begin with (right), until we reached drier ground on the upper slopes.
We followed the path all the way as it zig-zagged up toward the broad summit plateau (reached at 2pm after 3 hours of walking).
Glad to sit down for a rest, lunch and a sunbathe (the cloud had indeed lifted off).
Took a wee walk along to the top of the north ridge (above the "bad step") for the fantastic view out north and west (left) as far as Cape Wrath.
Decided to descend across the plateau to the SE top for the views to the east, then down a broad tongue towards the long southern ridge, Leitir Mhuiseil.
View from Leitir Mhuiseil, looking back up to the summit (left) and SE top (right).
Followed the undulating escarpment, with fine views from its cliff edge over Strathmore below, then gradually descended to the top of the Allt na Cailleach waterfall (below).
As we walked along, a police car approached and stopped. "Have you seen a lady walker on her own - reported missing by her male companion form near the summit?" "No, but we'll watch out"
We both immediately thought "Jill!" (see yesterday's blog). Back at the car, I looked up the path, to see a lone figure descending. Might be her, so I headed off up the path. It was - and she was completely oblivious to the alarm that she had raised!
No mobile signal, so we headed out of the valley, and phoned the police, from the big house at the end of the road, to call off the mountain rescue!
Evening view of Ben Hope
(written 03/01/10)
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