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Ian, James,Geoff & Roy were in the Lake District of Cumbria for the weekend, based at Keswick Youth Hostel.
On the Saturday, the cloud base was low and the winds high and wet, so we took a low-level walk around Buttermere and Crummock Water.
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| A view across Crummock Water from the north end, where water is extracted for domestic use. | Fleetwith Pike, at the south end of Buttermere. |
On Sunday morning, the weather was better, and we walked from Honister Pass over Haystacks. We were treated to some excitement by the local mountain rescue team, who were out in force on an exercise, using all the accessories including flares, smoke, emergency tents, and a Swiss helicopter.
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| The old tramway to Honister slate mine from a remote mine entrance. | The view north along Buttermere and Crummock Water. |
Ian, Dick, Geoff, Roy, Phil, Alan, Linda & Monty the dog were in Scotland, staying at Ullapool. Jenny joined us from Invergarry Lodge for one day.
Saturday 10.5.08 - Sgurr an Fhidhleir (703m), Ben Mor Coigach (743m).
With a forecast of mist and low cloud clearing from the south, we chose a southerly walk in the Coigach hills. Jenny had driven up the night before from Invergarry, and joined us for the day.
The first objective was Sgurr an Fhidhleir, which on a clear day is seen from the road as a classic pyramid-shaped hill. For us, it was just a long walk through the heather, with the mist making route-finding something of a challenge. Eventually we reached the top, and lit a large candle on the cake to celebrate Phil's birthday the previous week.
Route-finding to the next summit, Ben Mor Coigach, was even more difficult as a result of the undulating plateau between them, with no obvious "up" visible through the mist. The three GPS navigators didn't help much; it's not clear why. Eventually we made it to the summit, where we were treated to brief views of nearby peaks as the mist tried to clear.
The chosen descent was "interesting", following a narrow, exposed ledge along the side of a ridge, then descending a steep face with a lot of reliance on heather as handholds. At least we were below the clouds, so could see where we were going. After saying our farewells to Jenny, we returned to Ullapool for dinner and bed.
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| Phil cuts the birthday cake on Sgurr an Fhidhleir. | The group on Ben Mor Coigach: Ian, Phil, Jenny, Linda, Alan (& Monty), Roy, Dick, Geoff. |
Sunday 11.5.08 - Stac Pollaidh (613m).
This was meant to be an easy day. We took the stroll round the back of Stac Pollaidh, then up to the ridge. Some of the party continued to the top. Early return to Ullapool, for a stroll around the town and along the beach.
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| Stac Pollaidh and Monty, during the previous day's descent. | Stac Pollaidh from the road. |
Monday 12.5.08 - Cona' Mheall (980m), Beinn Dearg (1084m)
Parked near the east end of Loch Droma, and headed almost due north to Loch nan Eilean. Scrambled up the steep south slope of the south-west ridge of Cona' Mheall, than followed the ridge to the summit
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| The walk in. Cona' Mheall is on the centre to right skyline. | Linda crossing a snow gully between Cona' Mheall and Beinn Dearg. |
From Cona'Mheall, took the direct route via the col to the summit of Beinn Dearg. Descended the south ridge, then followed the stream to rejoin our route in. It was a long and tiring walk, mainly through rough grass and heather.
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| Linda with Monty and a Dram on the summit of Beinn Dearg.. | Ian and the rest of the party leaving the summit of Beinn Dearg. |
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| . | The long walk out or the end of a perfect day. | . |
Tuesday 13.5.08 - The Fannichs.
The main party had a long day in the Fannichs. Report and pictures to be provided. Ian took a day off, and walked up the Ullapool River to Loch Achall, returning via Ullapool Hill.
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| . | A Willow Warbler sings in a tree near the Ullapool River.. | . |
Wednesday, 14.5.08
A rest day, involving Loch Achall, Ullapool Hill, and a boat trip round Martin Isle, and sitting on the sea wall.
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| The walk up from the town to Ullapool Hill. | Four seasoned salts on the sea wall at Ullapool. Geoff, Roy, Dick & Phil. |
Updated 19-05-09