North-west Scotland

July has turned out to be a fantastic opportunity to get out in the hills, both with clients and a fantastic wee jaunt all by myself!
At the start of the month we aimed to tick some Corbetts from Ratagan YH (why still only 1 female shower and toilet??) in varied weather.
An early start on our driving day gave us time to tackle Carn Mor in Glen Dessary, cycling in from Strathan in what started as a light drizzle. The weather did not improve and it turned into a bit of a slog to reach the summit which looked quite interesting through the thick cloud. With no views, no photographs and no incentive to hang around we headed down into Coire an Eich and back to the car, wet through, to complete the drive to Ratagan.
Day two was a big improvement with some sun and only a light wind. Our objectives were Beinn nan Caorach and Beinn na h-Eaglaise from Glen Arnisdale. Cloud descended as we reached the top of Beinn nan Caorach and views disappeared but as we descended to the col the views to the west opened up and made for a grand climb up the narrow NE ridge of Beinn na h-Eaglaise to the airy cairn followed by a very steep descent back into the glen.
The next day conditions were great for climbing Beinn Bhan. We walked north along a good path at the side of the river Kishorn to get wonderful views of the mountain's eastern corries, having decided to make our ascent from Coire an Fhamhair, a lovely route which showed the mountain off at its best and allowed us to traverse the entire length of the ridge as we reached the summit and continued our descent south-east. Our day was made on the ascent when we encountered a fox at around 600m on the ridge - a beautiful creature!
Our last day the sun continued to shine and we walked into Sgurr Gaorsaic from Morvich over the Bealach an Sgairne. For the fourth day in a row we saw no-one else on the hills as we climbed up beautiful Gleann Choinneachain flanked by Beinn Fhada and A'Ghlas-bheinn towards Gleann Gaorsaic and a steep pull up the grassy slopes in searing heat to the flat summit, beating off the clegs as we went!

Torridon from Beinn Bhan

 

Coire na Poite Beinn Bhan

Coire na Fhamair

Beinn nan Caorach