#251 – Lake District bothies Part 2 – Mosedale Cottage

Posted on 11/09/2018 by

Looking down towards Mosedale

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The walk out to Dubbs Hut and Warnscale bothies (see post #250) had filled a day in nicely, so we decided to round off our May Lakes trip with another bothy day, this time to Mosedale Cottage in the Eastern part of the Lake District.    The warm, sunny day we had for the Warnscale trip didn’t look as though it was going to be repeated, but at least it was dry, if a bit dull.

The Mosedale Cottage route from Wet Sleddale – out and back

The Eastern Lake District

There are three valley approaches to the bothy.   From the east you have Wet Sleddale (our start point) or Swindale, which changes its identity along the way to become Mosedale – this isn’t as daft as it sounds, because although the same stream runs through them, their characters are very different.    From the west, the bothy can be approached from the head of Long Sleddale.

Setting out from Wet Sleddale Reservoir

Sleddale Hall – the setting for the cult film ‘Withnail and I’

The bridge over Sleddale Beck

Closer view of the bridge with an impatient Border Collie waiting to get through the gate

Approaching Sleddale Halll

Sleddale Hall – ‘Crow Crag’ in the film ‘Withnail and I’

On previous trips from here (see post #51) we have done a circular route round the three velleys of Wet Sleddale,  Swindale and Mardale, missing out out the bothy at Mosedale Cottage, but this time Chris and I (plus Border Collie ‘Mist’ of course) were going to follow an ‘out and back’ route to visit the bothy.    Soon after setting out we passed Sleddale Hall, a remote hillside house that was the setting for the cult film ‘Withnail and I’.

On the way out to Mosedale

Still heading up the track ….

…. to the high point of the route, with the South East Fells of the Lake District beyond

After Sleddale Hall, the route follows a gradually rising bridleway which reaches a high point of about 500 metres, but it’s hardly what you might call a slog.   As the route gains altitude towards the high point, the view out to the South East Fells of the Lake District gets better and better.    The hills don’t look very ‘Lake District’ though, they are much more Pennine in character – that usually means ‘boggy’ but on this trip the fine, dry weather of May had dried everything up nicely.

Start of the descent into Mosedale

The bridge over Mosedale Back

On the Mosedale track

Mosedale Cottage comes into view

Once down in the valley of Mosedale, and across the wide wooden bridge crossing Mosedale Beck, it’s a steady plod of about 1.3 kms (less than a mile) to the bothy.  Mosedale Cottage has been a bothy with free public access for years, and like some Scottish bothies it also has a locked section used by shepherds and estate workers.   It’s also very remote, with the nearest habitation more than a couple of hours away on foot.

The front door of the bothy

The front door of the bothy

Inside the bothy in the main room

‘Mist’ decides to chill out under one of the sleeping platforms

Chris reading the hut book and ‘Mist’ still chilling out

As we arrived, it looked as though we might have company, and sure enough one of the estate workers was using the private section.   We said hello before heading into the section open to the public.    In just a few minutes the stove was on and a brew prepared, while ‘Mist’ decided on some ‘shut-eye’.

On the way back

Approaching Mosedale Beck bridge from the other direction

The long, gradual ascent

Wide open spaces

After a brew and a bite to eat, it was time to head back.  Apart from the estate worker we saw nobody all day, which tells you much about the remote nature of this quiet part of Lakeland.   The dull morning had changed to a sunny afternoon and a steady walk soon had us back at Wet Sleddale.

Time to head for home

Text and images © Paul Shorrock

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#250 – Lake District bothies Part 1 – Dubbs Hut and Warnscale

Posted on 27/08/2018 by

‘A room with a view’ – Warnscale Bothy looking towards to Buttermere

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The May 2018 trip to Scotland was drawing to a close.   Our outing to Invermallie Bothy and Achnacarry (see post #249) had been in damp, mizzly conditions, when the rest of the UK was basking in a heatwave that was to last into August.   It was time to bail out and head for the warmth, on the basis that Scotland is still going to be there next year.

Honister Pass and the two bothies (red flags)

The North-West Lake District

Bothy visits are a good hook to hang a walk off, so we headed to the North West corner of the Lake District where there are two bothies very close to each other (anyone still not sure what a bothy is, see my earlier blog from last year).   Two for the price of one seemed like a good deal, so Chris and I, plus Border Collie ‘Mist’ set out from Honister Pass on a hot, sunny day – summer had arrived early in the Lake District.

Honister Quarry and visitor centre

Setting out on the re-routed path from Honister

Looking back towards the visitor centre

Honister Pass is the site of a thriving quarry business.   It may seem strange to have a commercial quarry in a National Park, but the quarry was an important source of employment long before National Parks came into being.   The business was in decline until local man Mark Weir stepped in and the quarry is now a major visitor attraction, selling ornamental slate products – there is even a via ferrata in the disused quarry site.

On the old tramway ….

…. but still with a way to go ….

…. until the view suddenly opens up

We were heading for one of the old quarry sites that used to be part of the Honister operation.   The route out takes the line of an old tramway, which runs in a perfect straight line for over 1 km.   The initial section has been re-routed from the original way, as it had become dangerously loose over the years, but for the most part the tramway gives a solid and direct approach to Dubbs Quarry.

The approach to Dubbs Quarry

Dubbs Hut blending into the background (just left of centre)

Closer view of Dubbs Hut

Dubbs Hut was once one of the buildings serving the quarry, and following the business going into decline, it had become an informal shelter for walkers and mountaineers.    The hut had deteriorated quite badly over the years before coming under the care of the Mountain Bothies Association.    A spokesman for the MBA said, “When we first became involved, the building could best be described as soulless and unwelcoming with a roof that leaked heavily and with no fire or cooking facilities.”

The entrance

Inside, showing the sleeping platform and stove

Looking towards the door

Dubbs Hut has a large single room equipped with a solid fuel stove and sleeping platform, and is spacious enough to accommodate a big party if the floor area is included.   We hadn’t come to stay the night, but we had a sit inside checking out the entries in the hut book before carrying on towards Haystacks and the Warnscale Bothy.

The path heading for Haystacks ….

…. with the Warnscale Bothy path branching off

The view down to Buttermere from the Warnscale Bothy path

Warnscale Bothy

The path to Haystacks is well travelled and it would be hard, if not impossible, to get lost here.    The path out to Warnscale Bothy is nothing like as obvious, but we found it without any great difficulty.   When I say ‘we’, I’ve got to admit it was ‘Mist’ who found it first – she has a talent for finding paths, and once I have taught her how to use a map and compass, she will make a pretty good navigator.

The entrance

‘A room with a view’

Inside the bothy

Much smaller than Dubbs Hut!

The views down to Buttermere from the bothy path were impressive, and our situation on the narrow path clinging to the hillside must have been equally impressive to people heading up the path from Buttermere.    After a false start (too high) we found the right way to the tiny building that is Warnscale Bothy – it’s known as the ‘room with a view’, for reasons that become obvious on arrival.


The bothy with Buttermere beyond

Brew time!

Tiny is a good description!    The MBA description on their website says ‘Not suitable for parties’ – four could probably squeeze in to sleep, but two or three would be a better number for comfort.   It’s cosy enough for sure, and with the stove going on a cold winter night, and a glass of whisky in hand, you would struggle to find a more atmospheric lodging.

Setting out to Haystacks

Blackbeck Tarn

We had a bite to eat and a brew of coffee, sitting outside the bothy on what was a hot and sunny spring day.    Another couple came to the bothy from below just as we were about to leave, so we left them in peace.   The day was a bit too warm for a long yomp, but that hadn’t been part of the plan anyway – we carried on to Haystacks, visiting Blackbeck Tarn on the way, before heading back to Dubbs.

On the way back – Dubbs Quarry in the centre of the image

From there a steady walk took us back down to the waiting camper van at Honister, with the usual cold cider for me and dinner for the ever hungry collie.

Time to head for home

Text and images © Paul Shorrock

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#249 – Invermallie Bothy and the Commandos of Achnacarry

Posted on 13/08/2018 by

Invermallie Bothy and Glen Mallie

Inside the bothy

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On our 2017 Scottish trip, Chris and I (plus Border Collie ‘Mist’) had visited a couple of bothies in the course of our mountain walking (see post #223).   I should add at this point that Chris has no intention of spending the night in a bothy, though the dog is certainly up for it and has spent several bothy nights out at Greg’s Hut in the Pennines (see post #141), but sometimes a walk out to a bothy gives a purpose to a day which otherwise might have been missing.    Which is why, in May 2018, we were setting out to Invermallie bothy.

The route to Invermallie and back (Achnacarry marked by the red flag)

Achnacarry, Glen Mallie and Lochaber

At one level, Invermallie can’t be classed as remote as it’s 5 kms from the nearest road for the shortest walk in.   However, it sits on the edge of the ‘Rough Bounds of Knoydart’, one of the UK’s last wilderness areas.   I didn’t ask Chris if she fancied a 2-3 day approach walk through Knoydart to visit the bothy – some questions just don’t have to be asked.   So, it was the 10 km round trip from the roadhead then.

Eas Chia-aig waterfalls and ‘the Witch’s Pool’ at the start point

A murky, misty Loch Arkaig

Chris and Border Collie ‘Mist’ setting out by the loch

View over Loch Arkaig – still misty!

We had parked the camper up overnight near Achnacarry Castle, and woke to a misty, moisty morning.   It’s a well known saying in the outdoor community that there’s no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothing.   With a choice of waterproof jackets to go at we didn’t have that excuse, and ‘Mist’ was bouncing off the walls, keen to be setting out on her daily walk.    It was time to set off to Invermallie.

The track approaching the bothy

At last – the bothy

The walk out to Invermallie alongside Loch Arkaig was straightforward enough, if a little bit damp.   A good track makes the route easy enough for the ‘navigationally challenged’, though I noted afterwards that the final section of the route in can sometimes be well  underwater.   In the event, we arrived at the bothy with dry feet.

Cooking area

Chris enjoys a hot chocolate while ‘Mist’ waits (hopefully) for a biscuit

Blog regulars will have read some of my other posts about bothy visits.   The bothies are often disused workers cottages, usually in wild and remote areas – maintained on behalf of the owners by the Mountain Bothies Association, they are open for use ‘free of charge’ by anyone travelling through the mountains of the UK.  The availability of the bothies, especially in Scotland, allows long trips through wilderness areas without having to carry huge amounts of camping gear – what’s not to like!

The main room with one of the ‘residents’ and a good fire going

‘Mist’ inspecting one of the upstairs rooms

Ready to set out into the mist again

Heading back to the lochside

The view across Loch Arkaig looking towards the start point

One of the main downstairs rooms at Invermallie was occupied by a couple of young guys who had walked in the long way and were in the process of drying out their gear and getting a meal.  We had a tour of the spacious upstairs area before getting a brew on and having lunch in the other downstairs room.   Then it was time for a return through the misty wood to the parking area at Achnacarry.

The remains of the original Achnacarry Castle

New Achnacarry Castle hidden in the trees

We were due to head south the next day, but a visit to Achnacarry was part of the plan before setting off.   The original lodge at Achnacarry was built in the 1650’s but was burned to the ground by English troops after the failed 1745 rebellion, and all that remains now is an ivy-covered chimney.   ‘New Achnacarry’ was built in the early 1800’s but is out of bounds to the peasantry such as us, but during WW2 it became a secret military base, and the birthplace of the commandos.

Archive photo of ‘New Achnacarry’ dating back to WW2

The history of the WW2 Commandos would take much longer than a blog post to tell.   In brief, the commandos were resourceful and well-trained troops, capable of not only surviving in harsh conditions but also able to fight the enemy afterwards – they were said to be ‘fit to fight and fighting fit’.   The training, mostly at Achnacarry, was tough and arduous and an ascent of Ben Nevis, 18 miles away, was often the final challenge of the training.

Unarmed combat

Dealing with enemy sentries

Pistol shooting

Physical training with logs

The parade ground at Achnacarry in WW2

The visit had special meaning for me as I joined the Royal Marines Commandos in 1974.  Our training was similar to that of the original commandos, with an emphasis on agility and physical training, long ‘speed marches’ and the development of the commando qualities of “courage, determination, resourcefulness and cheerfulness in the face of adversity”.    The training was hard, but we had the example of the wartime commandos to draw on – a fine example indeed!

Old Nissen hut at Achnacarry in May 2018, dating back to the original Commando Depot of WW2

Text and images © Paul Shorrock except the B/W images, copyright unknown.

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#248 – Skye – Kirkibost to Sligachan, the ‘short way’

Posted on 30/07/2018 by

Strath na Creitheach with Blabheinn (Blaven) behind

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I guess we are all creatures of habit.   I’m prepared to bet that for most of us, our hill days are circular routes starting and finishing at the same place, and logistically this makes sense.   The alternative is to walk an ‘out and back’ route as on my Sgurr na Stri trip (see post #247) for the same reason of convenience.   Occasionally though, it’s more satisfying to walk an ‘A to B’ route, which is how this trip was conceived.

The Cuillins and Blabheinn

Regular readers will know that ‘me missus’ likes a good walk out, but not necessarily over something big, steep and pointy.    I like my ‘pointy’ mountain days, but a walk through the valleys and glens can give a different perspective on familiar hills and mountains, which is one of the reasons we decided to walk from Kirkibost near Elgol to Sligachan – the other reason was the idea of being on a journey.

The route – Kirkibost (south) to Sligachan (north)

There are scores of routes like this in the Scottish Highlands.   These are ancient trails, used for centuries to take the most straightforward way from one place to another.   The distance from Kirkibost to Sligachan is a respectable 18kms through wild country, where a twisted ankle could result in an epic, but a height gain of just over 400 metres meant that if pulses were racing it would be due to the scenery and not exertion.

Closer view of the route

The problem with ‘A to B’ walks is always going to be finding a way of linking up the two points.   The easiest way is to use two cars, one to each end of the route, but this isn’t always possible.   Over the years I’ve used buses, trains, boats, hitch-hiked and even on occasion walked the link, making the days route twice as long.   This time we were going by bus and taxi.

Setting out in mizzly conditions from Kirkibost

We had based ourselves at Sligachan, so needed to get to Kirkibost, a distance of almost thirty miles by road.   A taxi all the way was ruled out as being too expensive, but a bus link to Broadford brought the cost down.   Our taxi driver was a chatty Lancastrian who had settled on Skye, and who spent his days driving or fishing.   As he drove away from our drop-off point, we knew we were committed – if we wanted to eat that night we had to walk back to Sligachan!

Chris looking none too impressed with the weather ….

…. but things start to improve

Chris is up for long-ish walks, but not usually as ‘long-ish’ as 18kms!   I had thought that a bit of preparation beforehand might be wise, and we did a practice route of the same distance back home in North Wales before the Scottish trip (blog post to follow in a few weeks).   That being done, Chris was confident about the distance – all we needed now was for the mizzly rain to stop.

The first view down to Camasunary

Heading down to Camasunary

We had covered the first section of the route last year, with a walk to the bothy at Camasunary (see post #223), an ‘out and back’ trip of 5 kms each way.   It was soon obvious that we weren’t going to enjoy the sunny conditions of the previous trip, but the mizzle gradually died away and by the time we reached Camasunary it was cloudy but dry.

The house at Camasunary with Sgurr na Stri behind

The junction to Strath na Creitheach and (eventually) Sligachan

Heading up the Abhainn Camas Fhionnairigh ….

…. and looking back towards Camasunary

At Camasunary we took the old path heading to Strath na Creitheach and (eventually) Sligachan.   The path was a bit rough in places, but there was no navigational challenge in following it, and it didn’t seem long before we reached Loch na Creitheach.

Loch na Creitheach coming into view

Loch na Creitheach with Sgurr Hain behind

The route by Loch na Creitheach and Blabheinn (seen from Sgurr Hain the day before)

Looking ahead to Ruadh Stac and Marsco ….

…. and looking back towards Camasunary

At the loch, the trail is squeezed in between Sgurr Hain and the lake on one side and the impressive bulk of Blabheinn (Blaven) on the other.   I had seen the route the previous day from Sgurr Hain when I had done the 25km route to Sgurr na Stri and back (post #247) and the Sgurr na Stri trip had been a good ‘recce’ for this one.

Near the head of Loch na Creitheach

The author in Strath na Creitheach

Looking back towards Blabheinn (right) and Clach Glas (centre)

For me, the backdrop of Blabheinn and Clach Glas was the most dramatic part of the day, though later on, sections of the Cuillin Ridge were equally impressive.   For Border Collie ‘Mist’ it was the second long walk in the space of two days, and although she is now ten years old, she still romps along like a young dog – that is, until sandwich time, when everything comes to a stop.

Ruadh Stac ahead ….

…. and the small lake of Loch an Athain

Just after Loch an Athain, we finished gaining height as we passed the 90 metre contour – from here it was mostly downhill, though distance-wise we were only halfway.   After my ‘recce’ of the previous day, I knew where to look for the first sighting of the Sligachan Hotel, and having pointed it out to Chris, it was ‘steady away’ back to the campsite, with the usual dinner for the Collie and a can of cold cider for me.

About halfway – mostly downhill and heading for home

Text and images © Paul Shorrock

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#247 – Sgurr na Stri and the Cuillin Mountains of Skye

Posted on 17/07/2018 by

Loch Coruisk and the Cuillin Ridge, seen from Sgurr na Stri

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Despite having almost perfect weather on our May Scottish trip, our first foray onto Skye produced one of the wettest days of the month.    After a day of rain we bailed out, with the option of diverting back there on the way back home – there were two good mountain days in the Cuillins planned, and I wasn’t about to give up too quickly.    Sure enough, a week or so later the weather turned kind, and we likewise turned back for Skye.

Skye, including the Cuillins

The Ridge of the Black Cuillins is a mountaineer’s paradise, and to traverse the 7 miles of the ridge gives a challenge that is almost Alpine in scale.    Although I’ve not done the ridge in a single trip, I’ve completed virtually all the ridge in sections (see post #224) and the previous year Chris and I had walked out to Camasunary bothy (see post #223) where I saw the Cuillins from a new and unfamiliar direction.

The route – out and back from Sligachan to the north

When we got home from the 2017 trip, I did a bit of reading about that part of the Cuillins and discovered that the small summit of Sgurr na Stri (Peak of Strife) which rises just above Camasunary, gives one of the best viewpoints of the whole ridge in all its glory.  It did strike me afterwards that it’s probably a better idea to do the research before a trip rather than after, but whatever, a return trip was definitely called for.

Raring to go – Border Collie ‘Mist’ setting out (along with accompanying human) at Sligachan

In Glen Sligachan, with Marsco (L) and the northern part of the Cuillin Ridge (R)

Some tackle Sgurr na Stri from Camasunary, but I fancied a longer, and probably more interesting, day.   The plan was to do an ‘out and back’ trip from the campsite at Sligachan, a trip of about 25 kms (just over 15 miles).    Chris decided that a 25 km walk wasn’t at the top of her list of ‘things to do’, so I set out with the ever-faithful Border Collie ‘Mist’ for company.

Closer view of the northern Cuillin Ridge – L to R Sgurr nan Gillean, Am Basteir, Sgurr a Bhasteir

The North Ridge of Sgurr nan Gillean (AKA ‘Pinnacle Ridge’), with the pinnacles coming into view

The undoubted star in the northern part of the Cuillins is Sgurr nan Gillean (Peak of the Young Men).    One of the best days out on the mountain is the North Ridge, better known as ‘Pinnacle Ridge’ – looking from Sligachan, you might well wonder why the ridge gets its name but viewed from the side the reason becomes obvious.    The ridge is graded as an easy rock climb, but it’s long and has a serious air about it.

The upper section of Glen Sligachan

The view towards Harta Corrie, with the Cuillin Ridge beyond

Parting of the ways – my route heads right towards Sgurr Hain. Blabheinn (Blaven) on the left


Looking back towards Glen Sligachan

My route out took me on a gradual ascent of Glen Sligachan, heading roughly south.   As well as getting me towards Sgurr na Stri, it was also a chance to ‘recce’ the route for the next day when Chris and I (plus dog) were going to follow a linear route from near Elgol back to Sligachan (blog post to follow in a couple of weeks).    Eventually it was time for me to branch off towards Sgurr Hain leading on to Sgurr na Stri.

The pinnacles of Pinnacle Ridge more obvious now, with Am Basteir in the centre of the frame

Just below Sgurr Hain looking towards the Southern Cuillin Ridge

First view of Sgurr na Stri, just left of centre on the skyline

The whole of the Cuillin Ridge comes into view

Sgurr Hain effectively blocked the view of everything except Blabheinn (Blaven), but as I reached the col above Choire Raibhaich I had the first sighting of the southern section of the Cuillin Ridge, followed soon after by a view of Sgurr na Stri.    The col was a good a place as any for a break – ‘Mist’ had the same idea as she tried to mug me for a sandwich.

First view of the sea (Loch Scavaig)

The summit of Sgurr na Stri

Loch Coruisk (R) flowing into Loch Scavaig with the Cuillin Ridge beyond

Sgurr na Stri was interesting enough in its own right, but the outlook from the summit was outstanding!    Anyone intending to traverse the ridge would either find the view inspiring or have a sinking realisation of what they were taking on, but for me it was a trip down memory lane with many happy Cuillin memories.

The memorial to Captain Maryon ….

…. and the attached plaque

The time came, as it always does, to start heading back.   I almost bumped into a small group of red deer, who didn’t seem at all phased by the presence of me and the dog.   I unintentionally lost a bit of height trying not to spook them, which dropped me conveniently at the memorial cairn dedicated to Captain Maryon.  The cairn marks the spot where Maryon died in July 1946 – his body was not discovered for nearly two years.

On the way back, with the Northern Cuillins (L) and Marsco (R)

Blabheinn (Blaven) with Loch Creitheach below (the route for the following day)

Lower down the descent route, looking back to Blaven again

Almost back on the Glen Creitheach-Glen Sligachan path

As I crossed the col where I had stopped on the way out, ‘Mist’ immediately went in search of any lost crumbs – Border Collies are a bit too clever at times!    Then it was the long return to Glen Sligachan – I don’t find ‘out and back’ trips boring, as you get to see everything from a new perspective, but as we approached the Sligachan Hotel I suspect that the only thing ‘Mist’ wanted to see was a full dinner dish.

The end of the trip – the Sligachan Hotel with the campsite beyond

Text and images © Paul Shorrock

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#246 – Return to Beinn Eighe

Posted on 19/06/2018 by

Heading for Spidean Coire nan Clach on the Beinn Eighe Ridge

The route – clockwise from the red flag

Torridon and Wester Ross

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Our trip to Scotland in 2017 had been blessed (mostly) with good weather, but my day on Beinn Eighe (see post #230) had included a bitterly cold wind that didn’t encourage hanging about, and I wanted to see a bit more of the mountain and to enjoy it at a more leisurely pace.    Almost a year to the day I was back again, with plans to spend a bit longer visiting the site of the 1951 aircrash (see post #227).

Starting out – Border Collie ‘Mist’ raring to go

Heading for the gap of Coire Dubh Mor

Liathach (left) with the route to Coire Mhic Nobaill on the right ….

…. and Beinn a Chearcaill to the north after turning the corner round Sail Mhor

The final climb up into Coire Mhic Fhearchair

The walk out to Coire Mhic Fhearchair is worth doing for its own sake, passing as it does through magnificent mountain scenery and ending up in one of the most dramatic corries in Scotland.   The route passes through Coire Dubh Mhor, a pass between the mighty Liathach and Sail Mhor on the Beinn Eighe Ridge, before turning the corner to go round Sail Mhor for the ascent up to Coire Mhic Fhearchair.

Coire Mhic Fhearchair with Triple Buttress at the far end

Triple Buttress seen at the head of Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair

‘Mist’ below Triple Buttress with part of the main undercarriage of the crashed Lancaster

One of the four Rolls Royce Merlin engines ….


Small section of fuselage

…. and one of the four propellers (Note the plaque attached)

Memorial plaque attached to the propeller

The most striking feature of the corrie is the cathedral-like Triple Buttress.   In March 1951, an Avro Lancaster maritime reconnaissance aircraft struck the right-hand side of the buttress just below the summit of Coinneach Mhor.   All eight crew members were killed, and it took five months of working in sometimes appalling weather conditions for the rescue team to recover all the bodies – the wreckage is a poignant memorial to those who died.


Heading for the scree gully (to the left of the snow in the distance)

On the high traverse path ….

…. with the view back down to the loch


Group descending the scree gully

The next task was to regain the path from the loch which heads up towards a steep scree gully.    The way across was straighforward, though ‘Mist’ did need a bit of a shove up a big rock step – the rest of the time I was trying to keep up with the collie!    I stopped for a quick bite before taking on the top of the gully, which gave the dog a great opportunity to mug me for a sandwich.    The final section was short, and a descending party was considerate in waiting for me and ‘Mist’ to get out of the target area before they moved.


The col at the top of the scree gully, with the ridge up to Coinneach Mhor

‘Mist’ at the plateau of Coinneach Mhor, with the summit behind

The summit of Coinneach Mhor

Looking towards the top of Fuselage Gully from the summit ….

…. and a view down into the gully towards the impact point

I had given the summit of Coinneach Mhor a miss on the previous visit, as the sharp, cold wind had made hanging about unpleasant.    This time I had a wander over to the summit and peered over the edge down towards the crash-site – if the aircraft had been just 10 metres higher it would have missed the mountain.

Back on the plateau, heading towards Spidean Coire nan Clach in the centre distance

On the Beinn Eighe Ridge

Looking back to Coinneach Mhor (left) and Ruadh Stac Mor

Further along the Beinn Eighe Ridge with Spidean Coire nan Clach getting nearer ….

…. with a view back along the ridge

The rest of the trip along the Beinn Eighe Ridge was pleasant in the warm weather.    I had thought about a different descent route from Spidean Coire nan Clach, following a comment on the earlier post by fellow blogger Mountain Coward – her walking companion had taken a nasty tumble on the steep section of the usual descent.    In the end I decided on the route I had done before as I already knew the ground.

The final ascent to Spidean Coire nan Clach ….

…. and the start of the descent ….

…. with a cheeky little snow wall obscuring the path down

It wasn’t quite as I found it previously though – a cheeky little snow wall obscured the start of the path, though this was easily by-passed.    From there it was downhill all the way before a 2km road walk – ‘Mist’ would have to hang on for dinner time!

Further down the path, heading for home

p.s. – I’m probably not finished with Beinn Eighe – there’s much of the mountain I haven’t seen yet.

Text and images © Paul Shorrock

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#245 – The CIC Hut, Ben Nevis

Posted on 06/06/2018 by

The walk-in to the CIC Hut, with the North Face of Ben Nevis in the centre

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May in the Scottish Highlands is often the best time of year for a visit, with fairly settled weather and no midges, which is why we were back this year for the third year running.  For most of our hill days, Chris and I (plus Border Collie ‘Mist’ of course) walk the routes together, with a couple of longer, more mountainous days for me and the dog.

The CIC Hut looking down the approach route © Geograph

Although the weather had been ‘fairly settled’ on our way north, we didn’t hit the trail until we reached Fort William.   Regular readers will know that Chris doesn’t go for steep, pointy mountains anymore, but there’s plenty to go at in the mountains without risking life, limb or sanity – a walk up the CIC hut below the North Face of Ben Nevis seemed to tick all the boxes.

Avalanche Awareness course – Jan 2011

Inside the CIC hut – Avalanche Awareness course 2011 (Tim Blakemore right)

The last time I had been to the hut was in January 2011 when I was on an Avalanche Awareness course run by mountain guide (and all round nice guy) Tim Blakemore.   The hut was erected in 1928-9 by Dr and Mrs Inglis Clark in memory of their son Charles Inglis Clark who was killed in action in the 1914-1918 War, but is only open to members of the Scottish Mountaineering Club and other affiliated clubs.

Digging snow profile pits at the bottom of No 5 Gully – January 2011

Access is strictly controlled, with many tales of cold, exhausted climbers being refused entry (to be fair, I’ve also heard of tented climbers being invited in when the hut is quiet).  The members of the course had legged it up to the hut to do some practical stuff on digging snow pits to assess the avalanche risk, but a brew inside the hallowed walls of the CIC (courtesy of Tim, who had a key) had been a chance for a final briefing out of the rain and wind.

 *     *     *

Chris and Border Collie ‘Mist’ setting out from the North Face carpark

First view of the North Face of Ben Nevis

Start of the walk up the Allt a’ Mhuilinn

Looking back towards the valley

Chris and I started out from the North Face carpark near Torlundy, just north of Fort William.   Ben Nevis needs no introduction to regular hill-goers and mountaineers as it the UK’s highest peak at 1345 metres (4,411 ft), but most days on The Ben start near sea level – our start point was a mere 40 metres in altitude, but we were only heading for the CIC Hut, which at 680 metres is only half a Ben Nevis.

Skier …. On a bike!

Visitors from abroad must wonder what the fuss is all about with a mountain only 1345 metres high, but if the Ben doesn’t have altitude it does have latitude, and the mountain is further north than Moscow.   In this case, latitude translates as attitude, and the climate at the summit is Arctic in winter.   No wonder there were skiers making their way down the track!

No 5 Gully, Ben Nevis © Geograph

Another view of No 5 Gully © Geograph

We chatted to one of them, who was cycling back down the track with skis on his rucksack (those who know the area would probably be as impressed as I was!).   A group of skiers had spent a couple of days at the CIC, getting in some late season fun – I asked which bit of the mountain they had skied, and was gobsmacked to hear they had been in No 5 Gully.  The gully is one of the easiest snow climbs on the Ben, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t steep – the photos will give an idea!

Getting closer now ….

…. with the start point way behind ….

…. but we aren’t moving fast enough for ‘Mist’!

The last bit of the walk in ….

…. with the cloud starting to descend on the cliffs

As we were only going up half a mountain, we were in no rush, which didn’t impress Border Collie ‘Mist’, who doesn’t make allowance for the fact that two-legged humans are not as fast as four-legged collies.    The cloud began to descend as we followed the last bit of the walk-in, shrouding the high cliffs of the North Face.

First view of the hut (low centre)

Our arrival at the stream

The stream, with the hut above © Geograph

Tower Ridge (centre) looming above

Finally, the hut came into view, with only the stream of the Allt a’ Mhuilinn (it translates as ‘Mill Stream’) remaining as an obstacle – the water was slightly higher than usual but passable, but Chris wasn’t inclined to risk a soaking.   We soaked up the atmosphere instead, with the magnificent Tower Ridge looming above.  Then it was time to head down, with a hungry Border Collie even further in the lead than usual.

Time to head for home

Text and images © Paul Shorrock (except images from the Geograph project reproduced under a Creative Commons Licence)

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