Knoydart Adventure (2 - Ladhar Bheinn)

An early start - left the cottage at 8.10am.  We followed a small path climbing up through the woods behind Inverie, which joined the main track through the Mam Uidhe near the top of the forest.  From there, easy walking for about 5 miles took us up and over into Gleann na Guiserein, with our first glimpse of Ladhar Bheinn (right) from the highest point on the track.  Dropping down into the glen, we passed some semi-wild ponies, and continued along the glen until the track petered out at the ruined cottage at Folach.  

Now 10am, we found ourselves at the foot of Ladhar Bheinn's west ridge.  The next hour or so was a steady trudge up steep grassy slopes on to An Diollaid, Ladhar Bheinn's west ridge.  


Suddenly, the tremendous view across to Ben Sgritheall opened up before us (left), as we sat down for first lunch!

There was still quite a climb on up to the summit, but the hardest work was now behind us.


Soon we were on the summit ridge (right), and a pleasant walk led to the summit (Munro 223) at 12.40.


I left Marjory & Roger for a 20 minute detour ut along a lovely wee scrambly ridge to the outlying top, Stob a' Choir Odhair, perched high above Barrisdale Bay.

From here, the views were stunning in all directions.

Ben Sgritheall above Arnisdale on the other side of Loch Hourn (left)

view over Barrisdale Bay towards Kinlochhourn (below)

On the summit;  61 to go! (right)


Cuillins in the distance


After an hour on the summit (including my detour), we started down the SE ridge.  This was a very enjoyable rough walk, with some scrambles, down and round the top of the impressive Coire Dhorcaill.  All the more enjoyable as we were heading downhill in the heat of the day, passing toiling groups struggling up from the Barrisdale side of the mountain!

At the Bealach Coire Dhorcaill, M and R headed off back down towards Folach, while I opted to continue on towards "point 849" and out to Stob a' Chearchaill - an ideal point for a snooze on the soft grass, and an excellent vantage point.


(left) looking back to the summit of Ladhar Bheinn and Stob a Choire Dhorcaill, across Coire Dhorcaill, from Stob a' Chearcaill 

I felt like I could stay there for ever, but after half an hour of blissful rest, I managed to tear myself away, and headed off along Aonach Sgoilte (right), an interesting ridge, with dramatic drops to the left, and steep grassy slopes on the right.


About half-way down, the ridge split for a short distance into two parallel ridges, with a V-shaped passage between them. 


To the left (south), Luinne Bheinn and Meall Buidhe dominated the view, while ahead Eigg, Rum and Skye floated on the sea.


Gradually the ridge dropped down to Mam Suidheig, 500m asl.  Tiring legs dictated leaving the Corbett, Stob Coire Choinnichean, for another day.  A rapid drop down easy slopes to Loch an Dubh-Lochain proved to be harder going than expected, with knee deep bracken, then scratchy heather and hazel assaulting the ankles!  I was glad to reach the track at 17.45, and made a weary return to Inverie, a 4 mile walk.   Home at 7pm.


23km walk, 1500m climb, 11 hours.  Munro 23 and tops 372/373.  61 to go!


And the forecast looked good for tomorrow, so another early night!

(posted 12/06/10)