A delayed report...

…from the club meet to Ullapool a few weeks ago on the 18-20 March. Breezy but largely dry weather was taken advantage of for a full weekend in the hills of the northwest.

Sgurr an Fhidhleir nestled amongst its more rounded neighbours

Several of us enjoyed a fair bit of sunshine and a whole lot of wind up Ben More Coigach on the Saturday. We ascended via the entertaining ridge which leads up from the west, giving fine views of the Summer Isles way below.

Steve, finding the extreme in every situation

Even when taking photos

Or just standing still!

Working our way along the ridge

We continued round to Sgurr an Fhidhleir before dropping back down out of the wind at last and on to catch some of the rugby in the Summer Isles Hotel.Other groups went up neighbouring Beinn an Eion or further inland to Bein Dearg. 

Steve Miles draws attention to the next objective

Keeping low avoids the wind

We all assembled for a meal that evening in the Ceilidh Place where many an ale and whisky were sampled. The following morning revealed cloudy skies and perhaps one or two cloudy heads. With no cooking facilities at the associated bunkhouse, we were once again grateful for the cups of tea provided by Denis, Stuart and Juliette in their campervans, while we assessed our options for the day. 

Some folk headed off on a geological walk (guess who!), a few to the sandy lochan behind Stac Pollaidh and Cul Beag, two up Cul Mor, and three of us up Cul Beag itself. The clag fortunately restricted itself to the upper hundred metres or so, and the wind, while still enthusiastic, was less abrasive than the previous day. 

Bracing

On the descent of Cul Beag

A surprisingly approachable pair of ptarmigan provided the penultimate interest to the day, before Yvonne and Steve Miles’ misplaced steps through a rather soft bog nicely capped off an enjoyable weekend (well, for me as a spectator at least!).

Friendly ptarmigan

Female

Photos by Yvonne, Gunnar and Alex.