Summer 2004 - the far north (part 3)

Foinaven - 8th July 2004


Another magnificent non-Munro (with its height confirmed in June 2007 as 'only' 911m - see (e.g.) http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2007/jun/09/uknews4.mainsection2), but, like Ben Loyal, more than worthy of a day's climbing.

(L to R, above:  A'Cheir Gorm Ridge, Lord Reay's Seat, pt 869m, Ganu Mor (main summit) and Ceann Garbh)

This time I was on my own (and comfortable back in my old boots!). 


Started out from Gualin Lodge at 9am, and threaded my way across the bog between the many lochans, gradually gaining height and approaching Ceann Garbh.
Climbed the steep gully visible on the photo above, and reached the top, just as the mist was rising at about 12 noon.  

Dramatic views down towards Kinlochbervie:

Followed the lovely sweeping ridge path around to Ganu Mor for lunch (left) - and jumped in the air at highest point(s) just in case it was declared a Munro at some later date!   


PS it wasn't!

Beyond Ganu Mor, the path became much rougher, and the view was dominated by the spectacularly shattered ridge of A' Cheir Gorm, stretching out to the north of the main ridge (seen here with Ben Hope beyond).

I continued over the 869m top where A'Cheir Gorm joins the main ridge as far as Lord Reay's Seat, an excellent viewpoint.


Taking this photo of myself on a shattered section of the ridge required a couple of attempts, and a steady head - there's a big drop just behind me!

Who can blame Lord Reay (whoever he was) for sitting here all day long?


Now it was time to retrace my steps to pt 869, to head out along the rough rocky top of A' Cheir Gorm - an exhilarating scramble.


Returned then to the col to descend NW down steep screes into a boulder-filled coire below.  It was actually possible on this slope to stand still, and find that I was still moving slowly downhill on the "whispering screes"!  


As Ralph Storer puts it very eloquently in his guidebook '50 Best Routes on the Scottish Mountains': "descend mobile slopes on the north side - please leave some mountain behind for the next person"!


From the rocky coire, a small path led into the beautiful Coire Duail, then down to the track through Strath Dionard.  A 4 mile hike back was a tiresome end to a wonderful day.  


PS There used to be a rather discouraging "No Cycling" sign at the end of the Strath Dionard track at Gualin Lodge.  Hopefully, with the improved access rights, this has now gone.  If so, a cycle along this track as far as the outflow form Coire Duail would improve this walk immensely.


(written 04/01/10)