Day 3 of GWC S3 Projects 2008
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| Taking a breather looking up at Conival |
We awoke to another stunning, bright sunny day in Achininver... 3 days in a row... wow!
The plan today was to attempt Conival and perhaps Ben More Assynt. We had an early breakfast and set off in the van for Inchnadamph. After the high temperatures yesterday, we gave the kids strict instructions to sun cream it up today, as a couple of them were sporting 'Scottish Tans'! As we waited in the car park for some of the group (last chance for a toilet stop!), one of the girls managed to sit down right in the middle of a tick nest... brilliant... After a few moments privacy with a pair of tweezers, all was well and we set off following the track eastward into Gleann Dubh.
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| Crew |
The going was good along the track and I really longed for my bike. After a couple of kilometres, the track branched left to a path that continued to follow the river Traligill. This stretch felt loooong in the sweltering heat, as the path seemed to rise and fall relentlessly. Needless to say, the kids were less than impressed by this. I tried to take their minds off the slog by getting them to watch out for the limestone pavements... but I don't think it made any difference :-S
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| Na Tuadhan |
We stopped for a breather at the foot of the Allt a Choinne Mhill burn and took time to gaze up at the quartzite scree slopes of Conival. We knew that the next leg up to the bealach between Na Tuadhan and the summit ride would really test the group. As we climbed up following the burn, there was plenty evidance of recent path building. Again, I tried to take their minds of things by explaining the method of building the path an the use of one tonne bags brought in by helicopter. Not much of a response, as I expected. Eventually, we reached the col and took another breather. Undetered by my earlier failures to capture their attention with geology, I attempted to explain and point out the Moine Thrust Belt. Thankfully, a little more enthuthiasm this time, but I got the feeling they were merely humouring me!
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| Looking along the ridge to the summit of Conival |
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| The summit of Ben More Assynt from Conival |
A few more zig zags up the scree led us to the summit ridge and we were treated to magnificent and clear views of Sutherland in every direction. The kids quickly spotted the patches of snow that still remained on the northeast face, and they found it hard to believe that it was still there with such high temperatures over the last few days. An univentful 500m took us to the summit of Conival and its large circular shelter. There was no need for shelter however, as the air was perfectly still. We ordered all to be quiet for a moment and take in the surroundings and the silence. A few minutes later while we were snacking, a fighter jet flew through the valley below us with a great rumble. The kids thought this was amazing; to be above the flying fighter! Great to see the enjoyment in their faces, especially after a tough walk in and a steep climb.
We decided not to push on to Ben More Assynt, as we hadn't moved as fast as we had hoped and time was getting on. Instead, we headed back down via the route of ascent. The heat was still sweltering and relentless. This made the walk out, back towards Inchnadamph, a neverending slog for the group. A great deal of energy was expended by the staff in trying to keep the kids positive, eventhough the staff were feeling the same! Arriving at the van with weary legs, we reflected for a few moments with the group on another very successful quality day in the hills. I explained to the kids that you don't get many days like that in Scotland, and we had been lucky enough to get two in a row!
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| Deer! |
We drove back into the sunset towards Achiltibuie to cap off another fantastic day of Projects.
