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North Wales 19.2.06 to 20.2.06

Ian and James were in North Wales for the weekend, based at Glan Dena, the MAM cottage by Llyn Ogwen.

Saturday 18.2.06 - Carnedd Dafydd (1044m) and Carnedd Llewelyn (1062m).

We set off from Glan Dena with Jason and Sharon from Aylesbury Mountaineering Club, to visit the Carneddau. The ascent was by the ridge south of Ffynnon Lloer, round the head of the corrie to Carnedd Dafydd, Carnedd Llewelyn and Foel Grach. We then skirted the lower slopes of the Carneddau west of the Ffynnon Llugwy reservoir, and back to Glan Dena.

Ian & James on the ridge south of the Ffynnon Lloer corrie.	Returning south down the Carnedd Llewelyn ridge.

Sunday 19.2.06 - Tryfan

Sunday started fine, but with cloud on the tops. Ian & James set off early up Heather Terrace on the eastern slopes of Tryfan. At the col between Tryfan and Glyder Fach, it was evident that the summit was not going to clear, so we returned by Llyn Bochlwyd to the road and to Glan Dena, for an early return home.

.	James by Llyn Bochlwyd.	.

Northern Scotland, 29.4.06 to 6.5.06

Ian, Dick, Geoff, Roy and Phil were in Scotland, staying at Durness and Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostels.

SYHA Carbisdale Castle.	The hall at Carbisdale.	Planning a route.

Saturday 29.4.06 - Ben Klibreck (961m).

On advice from the Crask Inn, the cars were parked by a bridge about a mile north of the inn. Here we were passed by about a dozen veteran cars, the oldest dating from 1903.

Our route up Ben Klibreck followed the western slopes of the ridge to the foot of the summit cone, then direct to the summit. On the descent, some of the party took a side-ridge to the east, and followed the river valley back to the Crask Inn. Ian and Phil took a more direct route via the south tops, then Ian retrieved the car and was first back to the Inn for a very welcome refreshment.

A 1912 Model T Ford passing Ben Kilbreck.	A motley crew on the summit of Ben Kilbreck; Phil, Roy, Ian, Dick, Geoff.

Sunday 30.4.06 - Ben Hope (927m).

Another fine day!. The plan was to walk from south to north along the lower slopes of Ben Hope, then climb by the north ridge. In the event, two of the party chickened out of the promised "grade 5 scramble" and went up the north-east ridge on the other side of the north corrie. The descent was direct down the south ridge, and was followed by a visit to the nearby Celtic broch.

Ben Hope & Loch Hope, from the north..	Ben Loyal from the NE ridge of Ben Hope, just below the summit.

Monday 1.5.06 - Sandwood Bay

The forecast for the morning was rain, so we drove down to Scourie to look up an old caving friend, but found he was in Brighton for the week! In the Kinlochbervie Hotel, we met Ailsa and Julie who were walking from Kylesku to Cape Wrath. The weather cleared in the afternoon for a 10 mile walk to Sandwood bay, followed by excellent fish and chips in the Seamen's, Mission at Kinlochbervie.

.	In for a dip at Sandwood Bay.	.

Tuesday 2.5.06 - Foinaven (908m).

A very windy day, with gusting up to 50 knots. Despite this, we decided to attempt Foinaven, approaching from the north-east and skirting the north shore of Loch na Claise Carnaich to follow a ridge direct to the north top. The ridge from there to the south top was hard going in the high winds, and involved and involved lying down (not always deliberately!) for the worst of the gusts.

.	The summit ridge of Foinaven, in a strong cross-wind.	.

On our return to Durness, we found Ailsa and Julie on their way to the Smoo Inn, having completed their walk to Cape Wrath.

Wednesday 3.5.06 - Ben Loyal (768m).

Still almost as windy. We approached the hill from the north, on the old road out of Tongue, then reached the north top by its eastern slopes. From there it was a short walk to the rock castle forming the summit, for Phil's birthday party.

Ben Loyal from the north-west.	Phil and the traditional birthday cake.	Ian on An Castaill, the high point of the Ben Loyal ridge.

Thursday 4.5.06 - Smoo Cave.

This was the day for travelling south to Assynt, so we started with a tour of Smoo Cave, with the guide Colin and his boat. It was well worth the visit!

Friday 5.5.06 - Conival (987m), Ben More Assynt (998m).

We set off from the car park near the Inchnadamph Hotel, following the Traligill valley then ascending to the col north of Conival. The clouds cleared as we approached the summit, providing superb views over Assynt and in all directions including the Hebrides and Orkney.

From Ben More Assynt, we followed the south ridge, which included one or two bold steps on narrow ledges over long drops! We were also fascinated to watch something swimming across the full width of the loch below the ridge, leaving a trail of disturbed silt when in the shallower water near the edges, and coming up to the surface every few minutes as it crossed the loch. Unfortunately it was too far away to identify.

Near Conival's summit, backed by the Assynt hills.	On the top of Conival, looking towards Ben More Assynt.	Conival, from the top of Ben More Assynt

In our way down a gully from the ridge, we encountered a pair of Ptarmigan, both almost entirely returned to their dark summer plumage. We were very close before they flew away, showing that their under-wing feathers still retained their winter colours and were entirely white.

Saturday 6.5.06 - Ben Wyvis (1046m).

We left the car park at the foot of Ben Wyvis as the morning's first two runners were arriving back from the summit. It was a pleasant walk up a well-made path for much of the ascent, followed by a rougher path to the south top. It was then a long, gently undulating walk along the edge of a grassy plateau to the summit.

The green summit plateau of Ben Wyvis, from the south top.	Ian & Phil on the summit of Ben Wyvis

We were back home in Weybridge before bed-time.

Jura, 6.06

During a family holiday on Islay, Ian and Geoff visited Jura for a walk among the Paps.

27.6.06 - Beinn an Oir (785m).

We parked by the bridge over the Corran River near Knockrome, and took the path near the river to Loch an t-Siob. From here, it was a rough ascent over the flanks of Beinn Shiantaidh, following the well-marked path to the summit of Beinn an Oir.

Beinn a'Chaolais from Loch an t-Siob.	Ian on the top of Beinn an Oir, & the view north.	Geoff on Beinn an Oir, and the view over Islay.

Back on Islay, after dinner we were treated to idyllic views of the Paps of Jura bathed in the light of the setting sun

The Paps of Jura lit by the setting sun. Viewed from Bowmore, Islay.

Updated 05-05-07