Berghaus windshirt

There's an interesting discussion on windshirts on Martin Rye's blog and The Odyssee talks about an old jacket on his blog.

So here is a combination of both these things: a picture of my ancient Berghaus windshirt made from their own Airfoil fabric. It has survived some rough use rock climbing as well as during backpacking trips and is still perfectly serviceable. It's not very waterproof even when treated, a bit on the baggy side, weighs about 185g, is about 25 years old I guess, has a hood and packs into its own pocket which, incidentally, is just large enough for an OS Map.

I have trousers from the same material but hardly ever use them, mainly because the legs have no zips for easy on and off over boots or trail shoes.

Not bad gear for it's time I think - can't imagine it ever wearing out.

More wind turbine proposals

Chris Townsend reveals three more planning applications for wind turbines (one in NW Sutherland, one in the Lammermuir Hills and one in Wales.) All very depressing. Chris also gives a link to the John Muir Trust's site where a full objection to the Sutherland proposal can be read.

A short trip to Loch Leven

The Loch Leven Nature Reserve is an easy drive from home and although our visits are generally confined to the winter months

     November on Loch Leven

a recent balmy summer afternoon found us strolling along the 12.5km Hertitage Trail, linking Kinross and the RSPB Reserve at Vane Farm.

The Reserve with its range of wildlife, including tens of thousands of breeding and wintering birds, has a number of hides constructed on stilts above the water but they have recently been removed following structural damage from shifting ice during the severe winter. It's hoped to have them rebuilt by August.

        The hide has gone      

The sky was full of swifts and a few geese were scattered along the shores; after the heavy rain and wind over night, the Yellow Irises were flagging a bit.

Followers of this blog will know that we have been unable to get away to the hills since April - something that has never happened (ever) before - and short walks like those around Loch Leven have been brief, but refreshing, outings.

Things are looking up though and, if the last of the proofs of Lynne's book arrive today, we should be heading for Rum and its delectable ridge, Knoydart and Sutherland - soon-ish. Mind you, these sort of hopes have been constant companions throughout May and the first half of June!

Unfortunately I'm not mobile blogging having been too busy to get organised. Maybe before the next trip.

Loch Leven - in the past a home to monks, scene of great curling tournaments and the imprisonment and escape of a queen.

Moy Estate raided

Police have raided the Moy Estate near Inverness following the discovery of poisoned birds of prey in the area. Several red kites had been killed and a grouse carcass had tested positive for an illegal poison.

Forty five investigators including 25 police officers, SSPCA and RSPB staff, wildlife conservation officers and SNH staff took part in the raid.

RSPB Scotland reported that one of the dead kites had been among a number of birds of prey which had been satellite tagged for a school project called 'Eyes to the Skies'. The signal, which was being tracked on the internet, stopped moving and this raised suspicions. (Source: BBC Scotland News)

Anyone found guilty of this appalling act should receive the harshest sentence available.

Later this year Carbon Free Developments are due to submit an application to erect 55 wind turbines on Moy no doubt bringing substantial financial reward to the owner of the estate, if, as seems likely, it is approved.

Carrion Crows

Yesterday we saw two carrion crows in the rear garden finishing off what remained of a young pigeon, we think. Our first reaction was that our sparrowhawk had paid another visit, although it's never left any remains behind before for crows and the like. Then we noticed the mark on the door window and concluded that the youngster had flown into it and either been  killed or badly injured; the carrions had moved in.

Despite having bird silhouette stickers on most of the windows we still get a fair number of casualties each year, although we've revived a few unfortunates over the years too.

Good luck to all Challengers

Lynne and I would like to wish all Challengers a safe and enjoyable crossing no matter what the weather throws at you.

We are busy reading proofs of Lynne's new book and so it looks unlikely that we'll manage any backpacking in May. If we do though, we'll be sure to say 'hello' if we spot any of you.

Good luck to everyone.

Symington's Mug Shot

We discovered these last year in Morrisons and found they made quite a good lunch time snack when backpacking. A sachet weighs 68g and provides 301kcal. Empty into a mug, add boiling water and allow to stand for 5 mins (we find a bit longer is required) and we usually add a Butter Bud. We've only tried the Creamy Cheese one, but others are available.

Ticks

Meant to say on the previous post that the ticks appear to have survived the winter!

Variable snow cover

Just back from a trip to the Mamores and Loch Ailort area. Very variable snow cover as can be seen from these pics. I've put a few more up at http://afootinthehills.smugmug.com/Mamores-and-LochAilort  which might give Challengers planning to start at Loch Ailort and/or take in the Mamores, Ben Nevis, Aonachs etc, some idea of snow conditions. Still early days though.

Loch Beoraid

The Devil's Ridge to Sgurr a' Mhaim

Northern Corrie and summit ridge of Sgurr a' Mhaim

A June day on Ben More Coigach*

Beinn Ghobhlach

 As an antidote to the recent return of snow, sleet and strong winds I began looking at some photographs of summer days spent on the hills of the NW Highlands, and one set of images in particular transported me northwards: I was in Coigach on two magical June days.

Coigach means 'Fifth-part', the old Celtic custom being to divide land into five parts. So Coigach is the Coigach of Ross, the fifth part of the Cromarties and it is the land from Outer Loch Broom to the Sutherland border.

It had been several years since we had visited this area and now we were returning to meet friends based at Ardmair Bay, some three miles north of Ullapool. When we arrived, the bay was hidden by a rolling sea mist which occasionally shredded and eventually dispersed revealing blue skies and lovely Beinn Ghoblach.

As you descend the steep hill towards Ardmair the most striking sight is Ben More Coigach appearing as a wall of sandstone riven with gullies. Its westernmost top, Garbh Choireachan, drops abruptly to the coastal path which joins the Achiltibuie road near Culnacraig. Exposed to the Minch, the settlements along this coast are offered some welcome protection by the Summer Isles.

We had climbed Ben More Coigach many years previously but our two friends had not and we needed no persuading to accompany them on a second ascent. Parking at Blughasary we took the track to the bridge over the River Runie, quiet after six weeks of drought, and continued along the coastal path before breaking off up the slopes to the east of Beannan Beaga to Lochan Eadan dha Bheinn. Higher up we crossed great slabs dotted with spheres of rock, all Torridonian sandstone, before the final ascent to Speicein Coinnich.

The slopes to Speicein Coinnich

We were soon on this first top and the true character of the hill was revealed to our two companions (well four actually, including their dogs). On the summit of Ben More itself, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch and discussed where to go next. Tom pondered taking the narrow ridge to Garbh Choireachan and returning to Blughasary by the previously mentioned (and exciting in places) coastal path. Lynne and I had already been along the ridge to Garbh Choireachan and were happy to visit again, but a return by the path on such a perfect day for the tops was easily rejected by all of us.


 Long ago the postman walked this arduous coastal route to deliver the mail and was paid 2/3d per journey. 'Taking the Rock' was how folk described the way via Ben More Coigach when coming to or from Ullapool.

The interesting ridge to Garbh Choireachan

In the end we decided to head for Sgurr an Fhidhleir, an impressive peak with 200m cliffs plunging to Lochan an Tuath.

Sgurr an Fhidhleir from Beinn an Eoin

 From the opposite shore of this lochan rises twin-topped Beinn an Eoin, 619m, which we all agreed looked worthy of attention.

Sgorr Tuath, Beinn an Eoin - familiar hills beyond

From Sgurr an Fhidhleir's airy summit the hills of the Inverpolly Nature Reserve, Assynt and Sutherland were a familiar and welcome sight. We lingered at the cairn, reluctant to leave, but eventually turned and retraced our route to Speicein Coinnich. Terns graced the head of Loch a' Chlaiginn as we passed on our way back. Curlews called on the moor. It had been a grand day shared with good friends and the comment made by Colin Kirkus to Alf Bridge on the summit of Sgurr Alasdair summed up our feelings:

"You know Alf, going to the right place at the right time, with the right people is all that really matters. What one does is purely incidental."

Today, Coigach had been the right place; Tom and Chris the right people.

*Note: I have not used the OS spelling of Ben (Mor) Coigach but have opted for the fully anglicized form rather the half-way house as it were. Both forms seem acceptable. Probably something like 'Beinn Mhòr ǹa Coigich' is the full Gaelic name, but I'm no expert. As Hamish Brown points out, the experts only disgagree anyway!