Ben More Coigach and Sgurr an Fhidhleir

Day 2 of GWC S3 Projects 2008.

We woke to another glorious day in Achininver. Sunshine and blue skys... plenty of suncream I thought! A couple of minutes drive down the road to the parking lay-by just before Culnacraig and we were there. It was a nice change not to have a long drive and a long lie in the morning.

Martin and lead the group up the Allt a Choire Reidh and then traversing along the slope to follow the Allt nan Coisiche. With the ground being rather dry, the going was steady. The initial steep incline was a great first test for the group. They coped with the complex ground fairly well and it was useful for us to access their confidence and fitness levels. We decided to attack Ben More Coigach from the north so we started up the steep slope to the bealach between Ben More Coigach and Garbh Choireachan. It was a bit of a slog in the blistering heat and the lacking breeze. The group was stretched as we paused and looked back down the slope. Kids finding it tough but doing well.

The group slogging up the slope from the Allt nan Coisiche

As we gained the ridge, I forgot about the effort and feeling tired as the view was revealed before me; magnificent. The narrow ridge led to views in every direction as far as the eye could see.

The group on the summit of Garb Choireachan

Ptarmigan on the summit of Garb Choireachan

It was then an easy walk along the ridge to the top of Garb Choireachan, and then back again to the east to the top of Ben More Coigach. The weather was fine indeed today. Warm in the sun and only a slight breeze. Up there in the isolated Coigach horseshoe, taking the time to look around the landscape and reflect on the surroundings; it reminded me of pictures I had seen of the surface of Mars! A very unique place.

Approaching the summit of Ben More Coigach

Garb Choireachan from Ben More Coigach

Martin and I heading towards Sgurr an Fhidhleir

A short decent to the north led us down to the plateau and easily towards Sgurr an Fhidhleir. On reaching the summit, we were treated to stunning views of Stac Pollaidh and further north to the other Sutherland peaks. It was impressed that most of the kids recognised the hill from the previous day's adventure.

Martin and I checking out the view over the north face of Sgurr an Fhidhleir!

Stac Pollaidh, Beinn an Eoin, Cul Beag, Suilven and Cul Mor - not a bad view!

We didn't bother with the spot height of 648m, as time was getting on. Instead, we headed straight for Beinn nan Caorach, then on to Cairn Conmheall to complete the circuit. At the final summit we had excellent views over the Summer Isles to the west.

The Ben More Coigach ridge from Beinn nan Caorach

The Summer Isles from Cairn Conmheall

Heading back down

All that remained was the steep decent down to the van via the northwest slopes. The group had made a great effort for the first full day on the hill and we now had a good idea of their abilities and tolerance. A full on day by any standards so the evening meal back at the hostel was a very welcome one! Another good day.

Stac Pollaidh

Day 1 of GWC S3 Projects 2008.
We hit the road at 9 am and started the long drive to Achininver, a total of 8 boys, 8 girls, 4 staff, 10 days and nothing but the outdoors ahead.

After what seemed like an eternity, we passed through Ullapool and headed north towards Sutherland. It was the furthest North (in Scotland) I had been so I was psyched as the landscape ahead of us opened up to reveal the jagged peaks rising majestically from the wilderness. It was mid-afternoon when we turned off the A835 at Drumrunie and headed west towards Achiltibuie. Stac Pollaidh came into view in the glorious sunshine as we passed along the shore of Loch Lurgainn, deep in the shadows of Cul Beag. The car-park was rammed due to the gorgeous weather, but we managed to squeeze our mini bus and transit into a space at the back. We helped the kids gear up and, after a bit of a faff, we paused to gaze up at the heavily weathered Torridonian sandstone crest of Stac Pollaidh.

Stac Pollaidh from the roadside car-park.

We headed straight for it; a short climb before the new path swung to the right in an anticlockwise direction. At the first pause, a look to the east gave a magestic view of Cul Beag in all it's glory.

Cul Beag from the east

Continuing up and around the east side of Stac Pollaidh, the magnificent view north over the Inverpolly Forest appeared over the horizon. It was at this moment, I was treated to my first sighting of Suilven. I recognised it instantly from all the pictures I'd seen in my favourite books, but it was better than I could have imagined.

Suilven and Canisp

Our aim was to circle Stac Pollaidh and take in the views. We had a large group of mixed abilities and unknown quantities so we wanted to avoid any 'bad steps' on the ridge, and we were short of time. We strode on around the west side of the ridge and the next vista greeted us... the Summer Isles.

Summer Isles from Stac Pollaidh

In front of us, the Summer Isles and to our left, the weathered sandstone pinnacles of Stac Pollaidh. I'm not sure the kids knew where to look, and neither did I.

The pinnacles of Stac Pollaidh

The pinnacles of Stac Pollaidh

As we headed back down towards the car park, obviously I couldn't resist a pose on top of a boulder :-S

Poser

Back at the mini bus we looked around at the beaming faces of the kids; they knew that had been something special. You don't get views like that everyday... not a bad hill for a Graham.

I hope there's room for us...

Time to head to Achininver and get the group settled in. A short drive through Achiltibuie and we had reached the sign at the end of the road: "YOUTH HOSTEL 1/2 MILE". Time to put the kids to good use, all hands on deck to cart all the gear down the track to the hostel. It's worth the walk down the rough path though, what a setting... with the views out to the Summer Isles.

Achininver - what a setting...

Achininver