Skye Weekend

8-10 September 2023

A long overdue DHC visit to Skye!

Jane, Bob, Alan, Ken and Ben met on Friday evening at the cottage attached to Basecamp hostel in Broadford and enjoyed some fish n chips. David arrived much later having climbed all 5 sisters in Kintail. Tansy and Stu called in briefly for a chat and a beer. Chris joined us for a pub supper on Saturday evening after his mega bike ride.

The weather forecast for Saturday gave mist, fog and light rain on the hills, so 4 of us (Bob, Ken, David and Alan) decided to do the Eastern Red Cuillins close to Broadford - a nice horseshoe of ridges including Beinn na Caillich, Beinn Dearg Mhor, and Beinn Dearg Bheag. We soon ascended into the clag and unfortunately didn't get any views until the end when we dropped down off the final ridge. The ascent of Beinn na Caillich was steep and very rough under foot with heather and steep scree. Alan decided to head back down before the summit but the other 3 of us persevered upwards. It was very windy higher up and fortunately there was a small wall by the trig point to shelter behind for a drink and a butty.

Compass bearings were necessary leaving all 3 summits to ensure we headed off down the correct ridges which were quite airy in places. Good to get out, but unfortunately no great views.

The forecast for Skye on Sunday was similar but good for further east, so Bob, Ken and Ben headed for a Corbett near Aviemore. Once across the Great Glen the weather improved significantly and a pleasant circuit of Geal-charn Mor in fine weather was done.

On Saturday Chris cycled in the Bealach Mor Sportive along with 180 other riders. This is a 145 km loop starting from Kinlochewe then Achnasheen, Lochcarron, Bealach na Ba, Applecross, Shieldaig, Torridon and back to Kinlochewe with a total ascent of 2200m. The windy and drizzly weather made it particularly challenging especially over the Bealach which was very gusty and in cloud.

Ben cycled from Torrin to Elgol on Saturday then walked from there along to Camasunary Bay.

Jane, still suffering from Long Covid, managed to have a wonderful day exploring some very short walks and beautiful sites recommended by Tansy and continued pottering on Skye the next day followed by more pottering on the west coast mainland.