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- DR. C.M. Huntley,
Slioch - A Final Munro
The weather forecast was looking good, the 'Indian Summer' was set to continue. Cammy's long campaign over the Munro's and Tops was near completion and so Ten members of the Club assembled at NCR for what was to prove to be 'The Best Weekend Ever!' We were all in party mood. Tomorrow we were going to climb SLIOCH (3217ft) a fine fortress of a mountain, that rises up from Loch Maree in Wester Ross, an excellent choice for a final Munro. Our meet was listed as Torridon, and that was where we planned to camp.
On our way up the drink started to flow, indeed a bottle of Drambuie was polished off before we got past Pitlochry! Tin's of ale opened as well and a bottle of MacCallan's finest Malt joined the queue. An extended stopover at the 'Drouthy Duck' in Conan Bridge had us all walking like Drouthy Duck's. Poor Fred MacReady was driving and remained in a fully sober state. Another stop at pub we can't even remember the name of ensured that we arrived in Glen Torridon at 2am. As I wrestled in the grass with with my tent outer (or was it the inner) I didn't have a care in the world, indeed Slioch would take care of it's self.
Photo stop at Loch Maree(21/09/96)
I awoke next morning and my thumping head combined with a thirst normally found in the Sahara Desert reminded me of the previous night. Isotonic Lucozade, two Paracetamol, a bowl of cereal, a banana and a cup of tea for breaky. Now I was ready for Slioch. Gary Robertson was warming up his Bagpipes for the event to come. At the car park Jim Donaldson and Derek Thomson surprised me when they appeared. They had driven up from Dundee for the day, a good effort as they had been unable to attend this meet.
A slow relaxed pace was the order of the day. The weather was beautiful, and I elected to wear my shorts, John MacDonald wore his kilt. Our route was from Kinlochewe and up Gleann Bianasdail, then up onto Sgurr an Tuill Bhain (a top I still had to Bag). I arrived at Slioch's North Top ahead of the bunch in a reflective mood. Looking across to the Fisherfield Munro's and An Teallach I cast my mind back to another fine weekend spent at Shenavall, when we all climbed excellent clutch of Munro's. Looking across Loch Maree I was in awe at the fine view. The others arrived and I was presented with a 'Saltire' and Gary started to play his pipes, the finale was in sight and an emotional short ascent soon led me to my goal. I followed tradition by kissing the Trig Point before climbing up onto it. I waved the flag proudly to the cheers of my companions and other astonished walkers. The Pipes played on and the Champagne was cracked open as was The Malt. We all enjoyed some party banter and offered all summiteers a drink, most of whom gleefully accepted. This moment takes a lot of effort to arrive at but take it from me, with good friends and fine weather it was all worth it, but alas we had to descend, but still had time to swim in the pools at the bottom of Gleann Bianasdail. After a meal back at our tent's we headed for the Ben Damph Hotel for another fine bevy session, followed by some late banter at our camp
Next morning I awoke much the same way as the previous day (possibly worse), but the weather was even better today. Liathach which is my favourite Scottish Mountain beckoned. Another slow ascent followed breakfast. Today only John MacDonald, Cliff Appleton and Gary Robertson accompanied me. Soon however we arrived at the col below Stuc a Choire Dhuibh Bhig. Onwards and upwards towards Spidean a'Coire Leith were we sunbathed and enjoyed lunch. From here Alligin looked excellent, but much more spectacular looking is the ridge leading across Am Farsinen towards Mullach an Rathain.
John, Cammy and Gary on the summit of Spidean a' Choire Leith
Crossing this ridge you have two options, the crest or the by-pass path. Only the crest would do, traversing this airy ridge requires a good head for heights. The scrambling on these sandstone pinnacles is great with some good drops down to Glen Torridon and Coire na Caime. Soon we were on our final summit of the day. We enjoyed some food and went out to look at the Northern Pinnacles which I had climbed earlier that summer. These are harder and more serious than the Am Farsinen pinnacles. In fact the top Meall Dearg is rated as one of the most difficult (alongside the Inn Pinn and Basteir Tooth in Skye), listed in Munros Tables. A rapid descent and a midge infested camp clearance and we were on our way home. BEST WEEKEND EVER!Munro Completers : Register your achievement with SMC
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From July 1996 an A4 Certificate will be returned to all writing to inform the Clerk of the List of their Completions. Munroists already on the list can also write with a reference to their Munroists Number.
Copyright © Cameron Johnston 2003