Hill: Sgurr an Airgid (Silver peak)
Type: Corbett
Height: 841m
A last minute change of plan which for once was a good idea. I had originally intended to do this tomorrow but the forecast for then was for rain and low cloud, nae views. Today was an unexpected bright day with the rain not due until later so change made.
As this Corbett rises from sea level it was going to be a full on walk.
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| You could go straight up from the start, if mad |
Due to the change of hill, sorry forgot to say I was at 1st choice before changing my mind, the car park was almost full but I squeezed in.
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| Don't fall off the narrow track! |
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| Initially nice green zig zag path |
A positive about this ascent is that it uses a stalkers path for about 80% of its ascent. Whatever your views on deer culling I guarantee that you will use the track rather than go full frontal directly up the hill on rough ground.
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| Heading to the top of the gouge |
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| Path got rougher |
It is steep but has many zig zags so the ascent is done at a good gradient and a reasonable walking pace. Surprisingly I wasn't blowing too badly. The path is stony at times, definitely narrow in places but it feels right. The constant calling of Cuckoos and the views over the nearby Munros keep ones interest. I only had on a base layer but the heat was unfamiliar and I was sweating away.
The stalkers tracks only negative is that it mainly took me away from the summit leaving a longish walk once I reached the plateau. A huge gouge in the hill looked far away and is getting increasingly closer but thankfully that gorge does not have to be crossed.
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| The steep ascent is right of middle |
A small cairn on the moor/plateau gives a good view of the final steep section. There appears to be a track going steeply up to the right, surely not, surely yes as I found out.
The wind was blowing strongly and pretty cold as I crossed the moor so jacket on. I was climbing the steep section when I noticed a figure coming down towards me. I had expected to see descenders sooner bearing in mind how full the car park was. Brief chat where he said there was only one other person behind him. The car park must be for Munro baggers as well.
The final climb was good to start with but my legs were beginning to run out of steam on the final third. A Ptarmigan called nearby but unless it moved there was no chance of spotting it. Its grey/white colour scheme was an immaculate match with the rocks.
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| Lots of rocky tops to explore, where is the summit? |
Got to the top and had a look along the ridge. Yip quite a bit away were a few lumps but the furthest away, of course, looked like a sizable beehive cairn.
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| View to Skye |
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| Torridon jagged hills |
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| Kintail Munros |
So on I plodded, descending and reascending via rocky, grassy ground until I reached it and yes that was it. Excellent views but the disappointment was that it was too far back to have a proper look down at Loch Duich below. How many tops can you see? Rather a lot actually. Loch Duich can be seen heading out to the Atlantic. Skye looks monochrome, rather like the forecast for the OIR groups few days on the Isle.
Closer to hand the eastern view much better. The Five Sisters so close. The Saddle and the Forcan ridge holding small amounts of snow. The Affric-Kintail trail heading up Glen Croe looks worth a visit. There was a huge black cloud heading in from the west which seemed to be pushing the strengthening cold wind so not exploring the other tops.
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| Heading to rocky high point to descend on the left |
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| Descent line just above the crack |
Back down the same way and although I have to descend more carefully than once did the views are terrific. It is only on the descent that I realised how much climbing there had been.
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| Sgurr a Choire Ghairb on right |
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| Beautiful view to the start and Loch Duich |
About half way down back into the heat and sweating again. Cuckoos are calling everywhere how many are there? Views are still spectacular.
At the end the short tree section is full of birdsong and butterflies, a lovely way to finish the ramble.
Ascent: 932m
Distance: 10.7km
Time: 4.02
Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Tree Pipit; Lesser Redpoll (heard); Skylark; Wren; Blackbird; Robin; Long Tailed Tit (heard); Orange Tip (m); Speckled Wood; Ptarmign (heard); Cuckoo (heard)
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