Beinn an Eoin seen from Ben More Coigach

The east face of Coigach

Despite the midges this morning, I managed to keep them under control and departed early to ascend the east ridge to the summit. The east ridge was generally broad at the base but nicely spectacular right near the top. An increasingly clear path was also evident higher up the ridge. Looking down either direction revealed nice long drops. The ridge was easy and just consisted of walking. The ridge broadened out to the summit plateau where I reached the principle summit just one hour after leaving my tent.

South facing slopes plunging to the sea

The west ridge of Ben More Coigach

The views were superb. The Fiddler, Ben an Eion and the Inverpolly Peaks stretched out to the north and west while the south western quarter was filled with the sea and tiny little islands - all so close. This was so far the best view I've had from all the summits I've climbed.

Stac Polly seen from Ben More Coigach

Fisherfield and Torridon summits

On the west ridge of Coigach looking east"

Looking west on the west ridge of Coigach

I now walked out along the west ridge. From the main summit it looks like a very narrow scramble but this was not the case. A well worn path prevailed and the only scrambling was up an easy rockstep. No significant exposure - just great views and a 'top of the world' feeling.

The long plunge to the sea

Looking north to the Inverpolly Summits

I returned to my tent, packed up and headed down to the Stac Polly road. I met a couple on the way up who were part of the RAF Charity walk. It started to feel like a recurrence that I was seeing this Charity walk everywhere! Maybe I was doing the walk without me knowing! Down to the road and the clear weather was being replaced with bubbly cumulus clouds. Rain was appearing to the south so I got a move on and camped in a Glen just to the east of Cul Beag.

The Coigach range seen from Cul Beag

Cul Mor seen from Cul Beag

After a short spell of rain I did a late walk over the summit of Cul Beag. The sky was now overcast and the wind was dead. There was rain to the south but didn't quite notice the rain cloud forming right on top of my head. It threw it down upon returning to my tent turning the entire mountain into a waterslide! The ascent from this side wasn't the most scenic. A very steep northern grass slope seemed to offer a much more interesting if very steep way up.

That night was a bad midge night - I'd leave the washing up till tomorrow!