With my 50th looming, we both booked a week off work and made a plan to head to Assynt for some mountain climbing. After much pouring over maps and route plotting, we compiled a list of possible peaks. Thanks to Gino for agreeing to be our EPOC ( emergency point of contact ) for the week.
Looking forward to the challenge and with the weather promising to be glorious, we made our way North West to our first campsite at Clachtoll.
We picked Suilven for our first adventure, a 12 mile return walk with a bloody big mountain in the middle. The alarm was set for 6am to cook our breakfast and to be at the carpark early.
Our first view of Suilven on the road from the campsite
Getting closer on the long walk in
Lesley leading the way, Suilven looming
Gaining height, looking over the many lochans to Quinag
Mountain leader Lesley tackling the incline
Lesley at the Bealach sizing up the next part of the climb, to Caisteal Liath ( The Grey Castle )
Me in the middle of the dry stane dyke before the climb to the summit
Me on the summit of Caisteal Liath
Lesley on the summit
Both of us taking the weight off, cracking weather and stunning views of Assynt
The view back to the Bealach and the East peak
The dry stane dyke, an amazing piece of work that stretches up and over both sides
