Beinn Alligin - Munros Tom na Gruagaich and Sgurr Mhor
In May last year we attempted to climb Beinn Alligin but due to the
strength of the wind we only reached the foot of Coir nan Laogh before
we turned back so we were now back for another attack on this
Torridonian mountain.
We set off from the car park on the Torridon to Diabaig road at the
west end of the Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil. The clouds at this time
were above the mountain tops although there was some light rain. At
least the wind wasn't as strong as last year.
The first section of the walk crossed some wet and boggy ground but
progress was made easier by strategically placed boulders laid by path
maintenance crews. This took us to the foot of Coir nan Laogh and the
steep climb up through the corrie as the cloud began to descend. We
reached the bealach which was followed by a short climb to the summit
of Tom na Gruagaich.
It was windy and cold on the summit with limited visibility and after a
short break we made the steep and rocky descent north to the bealach.
Here the cloud lifted slightly and we saw the tiered Torridonian
sandstone of Tom na Gruagaich. A short climb from this bealach took
us to a knoll on Sgurr Mor's west ridge, which for some reason is
marked by a cairn. I hope that in bad weather walkers aren't
considering this knoll to be the summit as it is a further 600 metres
further on. From this knoll there was a short drop before the final
ascent of Sgurr Mhor on worn paths which in places had some fresh snow
lying.
There was no visibility from this summit and it was cold and windy so
we commenced the descent of Sgurr Mhor's east ridge. Here there was a
lot more fresh snow with even more on the north face. Care was
required on this descent and lower down we eventually found some
shelter for lunch in the clouds. At least we were out of the snow.
After lunch we commenced the crossing of Na Rathanan, the Horns of
Alligin. There are three tops to cross and it involved some
relatively easy scrambling although there was some loose rock to
lookout for. I don't think my clients found the scrambling too much
of an ordeal and we eventually reached the south-east ridge where the
descent was rather steep through some rock. Once over this section
we joined the path that took us to the Abhainn Coire Mhic Nobuil and a
pleasant walk down Coire Mhic Nobuil to the start.
Photos taken on walk:
http://www.caledoniahilltreks.com/galleries/beinn_alligin_may06/index.htm
Stats at:
http://caledoniahilltreks.blogspot.com
Lindsay
www.caledoniahilltreks.com