Back to normal on Ben Klibreck

Hill: Ben Klibreck (Hill of the cliff slope) summit Meall nan Con (Hill of the dogs)
Category: Munro
Height: 961m

Full view of the ridge and top of Meall nan Con

Scotland is predicted to be basking in glorious sunshine for Easter Sunday, when I pulled the curtains it was misty, am I surprised, no, what was I in for today?
Sutherland and in particular this local  is well known to anglers and shooters as well us hill walkers due to the Altnaharra Hotel’s game pursuit customers.
The location is prime land in a a terrible time in Scottish history, the clearances. Principally to put sheep on the land instead of people but difficult to say which one was in the majority today.  As the route description says, Ben Klibreck overlooks a desolate flat and watery landscape, but spectacular.
We parked at the traditional spot south of Vagastie Bridge. A fellow walker on Friday at Ben Hope had just climbed it that morning and said it was dry, light boots only. Really? The route description of very boggy path from the start was intact, wish I had put my gaiters on but trousers mucky now!! 

One of the cairns at the first plateau

We reached the first large cairn which had military memorabilia attached. No doubt a good cause but not attractive.
Clouds coming and going as we descended to the peat bog section, underfoot not too bad, before climbing the slopes of Creag an Lochain.

Joining the contour trail

We opted to take the contour path alongside the hill which gave us great views as we walked its lengthy traverse. I would imagine that if you slipped here in winter not much chance of stopping your rapid descent.

Contour trail across the flanks, don't slip

Lots of Ben’s here: Loyal; Hee and Hope all prominent. 

Estate fishing loch

Looking down on Loch? An upturned boat tells me it is a fishing loch from the hotel estate but no access tracks evident, an ATV transport required to fish these.

The top disappearing in the cloud

The sting in the tail has been reached, 200m of ascent, but today only glimpsed as heavy cloud cover set in, maybe just as well. On these scree/rocky slopes we were rewarded with 4 dotterel.
Thankfully my strength had recovered from Ben Hope and I was feeling almost back to my normal hill walking fitness, but not quite, the last 100 metres or so up this steep rocky section was tough. Head down step by small step, zig zagging up the indistinct path. Not helped by the very strong winds, easily 30-40mph, blowing in from the west. Still a good ascent time, 2 hours 20m to the top.

Broken trigs

Reached the cairn and the broken trig points, a sad mess, before hiding behind some rocks for food, a surprisingly sheltered spot and some good banter.
From the summit you look over Strathnaver one of the worst areas of the clearances but no views today for us.

What a rock

There is the most amazing large rock, twisted that can only have been in a lava flow, quite superb.

Views north

Refreshed we battled down the slippy stones without mishap and once below the clouds we could take in the magnificent extensive Sutherland landscape of mountains, lochs & flat lands, breathtaking and a privilege to be here taking it all in.

Views west

An enjoyable descent trying to identify the hills to our near north and west. The shape of An Teallach unmistakable on the western horizon. More north I am sure I am looking at Tuesday’s walk, Ben Stack, with Arkle alongside it.

Ptarmigan

At a point along the contour trail we came across a pair of Ptarmigan, beautiful birds and totally unphased by our presence, happily letting us take some snaps before disappearing.

Descending west

Of course looking back the summit of Meall nan Con was free of cloud, that’s hill walking for you. A few curses and back to the trek.
Back at the cars for bang out 5 hours, not shabby at all. Life feels better again.
Crask Inn again for cake and something refreshing.

Wildlife: Dotterel, Ptarmigan, Wheatear, Meadow Pipits, Greenshank,
Time: 5.01
Ascent: 3034ft (1175ft)
Distance: 9.33m (15.1km)