I was able to escape for 2 days and head north, although the weather forecast was not the best. I had a late start on Friday 11th, as forecast for the wind dropping and rain passing in the afternoon allowing a reasonable activation of GM/NS-002 Sgurr nan Clach Geala. Then I camped overnight in Poolewe, with good food and a couple of beers.
I originally planned a very early start, but a late check of the forecast indicated the weather was better in the afternoon!! Well, by better I mean gusts on the tops dropping from 45 mph to 40 mph and better visibility!! I had packed the tent and on my bike about 0715.
The plan was to cycle via Kernsary, picking up the stalker path on the south side of Fionn Loch and cycle as far as I could towards the causway across to Carnmore. It was going to be a long and tough day of almost 50km…
The two target summits are centre right, they dont look too far?
First 7km of cycle was easy, after that it was proper single track mountain biking. Dodging rocks, drainage channels and banging your pedals. Slow and hard work.
Left bike just short of the Carnmore causway
my route ahead with path climbing above Dubh Loch
The causway
Carnmore house on right and bothy on left
Looking back with causway between the two lochs, good path all the way up.
Its starts to get tougher, path snakes up the rocky western side of Ruadh Stac Mor towards the col.
Looking a bit cloudy on A’Mhaighdean, what you cant see is the wind which was was wild!
Fuar Loch Mor to the west as I ascend into the cloud on A’Mhaighdean. Water looking a bit choppy with the wind! That was it, brutal wind with no visibility and rather wet. But I managed to find the summit and do a brief activation of GM/NS-013!
Weather clearing as I ascent Ruadh Stac Mor, doesnt look to bad on GM/NS-013 A’Mhaighdean now!
Fuar Loch Mor and the view back to Poolewe in the distance
Its a steep ascent through the boulders with a scramble below and above the boulder field. You can see why its translation is Big Red Hill or Big Red Stack.
On the summit of GM/NS-021 Ruadh Stac Mor, weather clearing but the wind still strong so another quick activation before heading for home.
Clearer as I head back down towards Carnmore
Clearer on the summits, but the wind didn’t really drop. On my way back out a squall almost knocked me off my bike!
A long and tough day, just short of 11 hours. I only managed 17 & 19 qso’s on the two respective summits which is disappointing for me, but great to work so many HB9s S2S. Also if you worked me please check you have logged the correct summit, RBNhole spotted me at 1039 & 1049z as GM/NS-021 when I was in fact on GM/NS-013. I started activity from GM/NS-021 at 1212z.
73 Gavin
GM0GAV
I’m staying at Kinlochewe later this year for a few days and will hopefully try for a gentle activation on a lower summit in the area.
