Torridon Magic.....

Good weather coincided with a few days off work, so with the great forecast I decided to head over to Torridon. An early start and -5 morning (again -  becoming the norm!)saw me heading 'way out west'.

Nice start to the day!

Yes I know I don't need to carry an ice axe!

I'd decided to go up Beinn Alligin (mountain of beauty in Gaelic) and started walking about 8.30am as the sun was rising above the mountains. It's a pretty dramatic spot, the sandstone Torridon hills having a very distinctive and dramatic shape.

The route ahead...

Looking Skye way (west-ish)

I knew that there wouldn't be much snow, but with the low temperatures wondered if the route would be a 'wee' bit icy on the rocks as I got the impression there was a fair bit of easy scrambling over the 'horns'. Luckily it wasn't.

The route ahead from the first top

I was the only person on Beinn Alligin, and it was a superb day. It was cold, but sunny, with magical views in all directions including North to Gairloch (and beyond), and out west to Skye and beyond.

Big gash

The horns, and the intriguing Corbet behind

The walk just got better and better, after the dramatic second munro on the route. I really enjoyed the easy scrambling over the 'horns'. I was torn between wanting to savour the view and situation, and wanting to continue to see what was next.

Looking back at the 2 munro tops

Didn't want to leave this spot

All too quickly I was descending off the horns back into the valley far below. I was very intrigued by a hill just ?North of it that also looked very dramatic, a Corbet called Beinn Deargh I believe. I toyed with going for this too, but in the end knowing if I did I would be descending this hill in the dark decided against the idea.

Beinn Dearg

Finishing the walk through a small forested area next to a deep cut river was great, especially with the sun shining through the branches.

Looking back at my route

When I got back to the van I moved it down the road a short distance and parked up by the sea/sea loch and made a cup of tea and watched the sun disappear behind the hills.

the road of bones, I mean roots

It was -1 when I got back to the van, and by 5pm -3....... I'd planned to sleep in the van (maiden trip) but when I found that the pub in Torridon was closed (nowhere was open), it was -5 by 5.30pm and a long time until sleep/bed..... the call of my house (with heating) was too great and I headed the 1' 30" home...... I know I wimped out on sleeping in the 'camper van', but it was a great day out in Torridon, one I'll remember for a long time. Again I feel very lucky to be this close to these amazing wild spaces.

Beautiful (but cold!)

A big fan of the Fannaichs

A few days off work meant that I could explore some of the new areas close to home in the Highlands. With a reasonable forecast for the morning, but a suggestion of high winds and ?heavy precipitation after lunch I decided to nip up a hill in the Fannaichs.

Looking back to the frosty valley

Looking west to Beinn Dearg way

It was another -5 start when I got up, a pain to defrost the van, but very beautiful hoar frost on all of the trees that I saw driving North. I picked Am Faochagach as it would be quite a quick hill so I should be able to get up and down before the predicted bad weather.

The only concern was the mandatory river crossing near the start. The web suggests it can be problematic, and uncrossable is spate. I knew the water level was pretty low due to the dry weather we have had, but did wonder how big a river this was!

The top! Very rounded munro (like the Howgills)

I set off early from the top of Loch Glascarnoch towards the 'big river crossing'. My plan was simple, an extra pair of trainers and socks that I would use to ford the river and leave for the return trip. It worked a treat and the river was only about 12-18" deep. I quickly paddled and was pleased with my plan, as it meant I didn't have wet boots for the remainder of the morning.

Looking South at the murk 

The walk was very pleasant, fairly gentle going, good views of the other local hills and deer on the horizon. One other walker was on the same route behind me, and I wished that they weren't wearing all black clothing as I could of got some good photo's with them in the landscape.

Chasing down the 'walker' - she was fast

Towards the top I could see the weather rolling in from the SW - West and it started to rain as I got to the top. As rain could quite quickly make the river crossing at the start problematic I didn't hang around on top and quickly donned waterproofs and turned around.

In the end the weather didn't amount to much so I stopped lower down and took in the views and hills, thinking how lucky I am that this is now home. The other walker overtook me on her way down and we had a quick chat. She was on a mission only having less than 50 munro's left. I let her get ahead as she was now wearing her waterproofs, some colour for pictures!

Nearly back at the river crossing

I caught her lower down and we finished the walk together having a great chat. A great half day's adventure.

Forest love - not literally!

When I drove up to the Highlands for my job interview in the summer I remember being surprised  by the amount of forest from Aviemore heading North. At the time it reminded me of the Canadian West coast and Vancouver Island and still does. Along with everything else like the mountains and sea, this really made the dream of moving up here even more exciting as I love forests! 

exploring the forests at the weekend

So last weekend we went for a walk exploring some of the extensive forest around Strathpeffer and Contin. It was a great wee walk, and the trails looked amazing for mountain biking. So now winter and the darkness is here I decided it is time to charge up the bike lights and hit the trails. 

inviting.....

Messing around with the camera

I only went on a 1-2 hour route and it was great. Mt biking at night is great fun, even if the trails are easy. All went well, but I was quite surprised and a little 'anxious' when I met 2 guys in camo gear, on quad bikes with rifles in the middle of the forest! 

They just burnt past me a couple of times, but it did feel a bit like the film deliverance, and I thought they may see me as their sport (pray!!). Trying to get out of the way I slipped onto a smaller, quieter trail. The bonus of this that they didn't follow me, but when it popped out at a scary boat house on a black loch jeez the hairs on the back of my neck definitely moved!! The cabin was very spooky so I decided to call it a day and headed back to the van!

The spooky boat house (I daren't go in!)