5 Mountains and 1 big birthday part 1, Suilven 12/05/17

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