Liathach; and Meall a Ghiuthais
Liathach
I’m sure it’s been far too long since this hill was visited by the club and hopefully it will make a more regular appearance along with its big cousin An Teallach which we hope to visit soon. The weather was cool but dry turning sunnier by afternoon. We ascended Spidean a' Choire Leiths steep slopes quickly gaining height. Upon reaching the ridge we were offered great views to the North. The majority of the group sat at the col and took in the views with three visiting the most eastern top. Reunited we made our way to the top of the first munro having lunch at its summit.
We picking our way down its boulder strewn western flank to the Am Fasarinen pinnacles, at this point Monty and Brian took the lower traverse as it offered more favorable terrain for those with four legs. The pinnacles provided pleasant scrambling with a multitude of options allowing things to be interesting, but never too arduous. There were lots of opportunities to practice route finding on the accommodating Torridon sandstone. Difficulties over we made our way to the summit of the second munro Mullach an Rathain.
All that was left was the steep descent and trudge back along the road. The older you get the more you appreciate that going up is the easy bit coming back down always seeming less enjoyable. Our pace slowed considerably with various aches and pains, the scenery making a welcome distraction.
Taking part: Brian, Craig, Emma, Hazel, Martin, Matt, Stuart and guest Nicola
Words: Stuart
Photos: Hazel
Meall a Ghiuthais
May Tim and Richard rendezvoused at 9.30 at the mountain trail car park on the west shores of Loch Ewe. The object of the day Meall a Ghiuthais (hill of the fir tree) lay to the west and was hidden from view by the steep slopes of the mountain woodland. Again no walk in as we climbed through the beautiful natural woodland of this part of the Beinn Eighe nature reserve. We climbed higher out of the woodland and onto the rocky slopes to be rewarded with hazy views of Slioch and mountains to the north. The day was bright with a few sunny intervals and as we got higher we felt a chill breeze. 11am demanded that we find some shelter and have a tea break. We progressed to the cairn above Loch Allt an Daraich where we got the first good views of our mountain and its very steep slopes. We were also rewarded with fabulous if hazy views of Beinn Eighe and some of the Torridon peaks.
We decided to keep to the rocky out crops to keep our feet dry but this proved needless as the ground was so dry. The climb to the summit of 887m was by zig -zagging up the mixed grassy and scree slopes to "top outT for lunch at 1pm on the dot. The chilly breeze required jackets to be put on. The other Corbett Ruadh-stac Beag lay to the south but combining its ascent would require a rather longer day out. The map can be rather deceiving! We then meandered to the lesser summit to the north east before finding our way down to pick up the mountain trail for our descent. This was quite beautiful natural woodland in a fabulous setting of the steep gorge. It was great to see the healthy and natural regeneration of the woodland. Amazing what happens when you cull a few deer!!
The descent mirrored the ascent being steep and, it felt, relentless, although it was made much easier by the well laid stepped path. We arrived back at the car park at 3.30pm having had a smashing day out. We are so privileged to live so close to such beautiful places.
Taking part: May, Tim and Richard
Words: Richard
Photos: May
