On Beinn Eighe, looking east towards Spidean Coire nan Clach

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We were slowly making our way back home on our May trip to Scotland.   Ten days earlier, Chris and I (plus Border Collie ‘Mist’ of course!) had a great walk out to Coire Mhic Fhearchair near Torridon – the corrie is one of the most impressive in the Scotland, and the background story of the Beinn Eighe aircrash brought extra interest.   I still fancied a day out on the Beinn Eighe Ridge, so a return visit as we headed south seemed a good idea.

The route – clockwise from the car park

The Mountains of Torridon in Wester Ross

When we visit a new area I usually do some internet research to get the bigger picture, but a second trip out to Beinn Eighe was a last minute, ‘off the cuff’ outing.   So, it was back to the old traditional method of using the map to plan the day.   I had already walked the path out to Coire Mhic Fhearchair and there was an obvious descent path from Spidean Coire nan Clach in the centre of the Beinn Eighe mass – all I had to do was to find a breach in the defences of Beinn Eighe.

Setting out in gloomy weather

Border Collie ‘Mist’ just below Coire Mhic Fhearchair

The Triple Buttress of Beinn Eighe above Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair

A closer view of Triple Buttress

Coire Mhic Fhearchair ten days earlier – the scree chute exit is obvious, just left of centre

I set off with the dog in gloomy weather conditions, though the forecast promised an improvement, and ‘Mist’ and I made good time round to Coire Mhic Fhearchair.   Sure enough, the cloud started to lift but a sharp breeze in the corrie suggested that it might be a good move to grab a bite to eat before heading on to high ground.   The dog agreed – when it comes to food, ‘Mist’ is more Labrador than Collie!  The next move was to head for a scree chute at the southeast end of the corrie – on the previous visit it looked as though it would give access to the Beinn Eighe Ridge above.

The path threading its way towards the scree chute ….

…. passing by small crags and waterfalls (spot the Collie if you can!)

Above the crags – finding a way through the boulders

Looking back to the loch

‘Mist’ near the top of the scree chute

Looking back down the scree chute

First view of Spidean Coire nan Clach

A narrow path skirted the east side of the loch before rising towards the scree chute through a series of small crags and waterfalls.   I noticed a figure much higher than me, heading towards the same gap – he didn’t go straight up the scree chute, but instead headed up through boulders to enter the chute high up on the left.   His progress was good, so I headed the same way – the left edge of the chute followed a better line than the loose scree, and the dog and I were soon on the col between Coinneach Mhor and Ruadh Stac Mor.

Looking towards Coinneach Mhor from the col at the top of the scree chute

On the East Top of Coinneach Mhor looking towards Spidean Coire nan Clach

Looking towards the Western Top of Coinneach Mhor with Sail Mhor just beyond and right

A bit further on – looking back towards Coinneach Mhor with Ruadh Stac Mor on the right

Cairn on the Beinn Eighe Ridge

My original plan had been to include Ruadh Stac Mor (1010 metres/3314 ft), the highest summit on the Beinn Eighe mass, before heading back to Coinneach Mhor and the Beinn Eighe Ridge.   As I reached the col, the plan remained intact for about five seconds – I emerged into a wind that would strip paint off a fence!   It wasn’t particularly strong, but felt as though it had come straight out of Murmansk.   I made a quick decision to head straight up to Coinneach Mhor, then on to Spidean Coire nan Clach.

The descent to the col on the Beinn Eighe Ridge ….

…. then the start of the final ascent up to Spidean Coire nan Clach

Still heading up, chasing my ‘shadow’

One last look back to Coinneach Mhor (left) and Ruadh Stac Mor (right) ….

…. then the very last bit of uphill, still chasing that ‘shadow’!

Heading towards Spidean from Coinneach Mhor, I looked back to check progress and saw a figure steadily gaining on me.   My ‘shadow’ was the person who had ‘showed me’ the easy way to take the scree chute, and he had obviously included the outlying Ruadh Stac Mor into his day.   He caught up with me on the col on the lowest point of the ridge – he was about half my age and obviously very fit.   The cold wind meant that we didn’t linger over a conversation, so after a few words he was off, with me trailing behind.

Looking back (northwest) along the Beinn Eighe Ridge

‘Mist’ at the Trig Point on Spidean ….

…. before the start of a lot of descent, first south down the ridge from the Trig Point ….

…. turn left at the cairn ….

…. then dropping down into Coire an Laoigh

I wasn’t as fast as my ‘shadow’, but the cold wind ensured that I wasn’t hanging around, and I was soon at the Trig Point on Spidean.   The true summit was only just over 100 metres away, so after a brief visit to the top it was time to head down.   A well-defined ridge heading south pointed out the way down, and even better it acted as a wind break.  The rest of the outing was pleasantly warm.   After a long descent down Coire an Laoigh, the dog and I reached the road for a steady walk back to the van – dinner for the ever-hungry Collie and a cold cider from the fridge for me.

Looking back to the initial steep descent

With the road still way down below, it’s time to head for home

*     *     *

Those who don’t go up mountains for fun may well wonder what enjoyment there is in making a hasty crossing of a ridge, chased by a wind that would turn your eyeballs inside out.   In truth, it was probably one of the best mountain days I’ve had this year, and going through the photos for this post brought back the memories.    I’ll go back there, and I’ll collect the bits I missed out, including the ‘Bad Step’ that I didn’t know about, and which I read up afterwards in a post by fellow blogger, ‘Mountain Coward‘.

If I’m honest, I wish I was up there right now.

Sunset over Beinn Eighe

Text and images © Paul Shorrock