12 of us stayed at the SMC Ling Hut in Torridon.  The hut is picturesquely situated next to a small loch, Lochan an Lasgair, but is quite hard to find in the pitch black of the night as late comers found to their cost.

Ling Hut

On Good Friday John Bradshaw, David, Romi, Matthew and Alix ascended Ben Eighe via Loch Coire Mhic Fhearchair dominated by the imposing Triple Buttress.  Their route took in both Munros Ruadh-stac Mor and Spidean Coire nan Clach.  

Ian and Sarah had a recovery day exploring a stalkers path towards Coire an Iloigh and also the village.  Kasim and Xin were still travelling.

The day on Ben Eighe proved to be much longer than some had intended and rather than a warm up proved a big day in itself.  Matthew immediately acquired the reputation for keeping track of every second and every step, all 29,000 of them!

On Saturday Matthew, Romi, John and David undertook a full traverse of Liathach.  The team wanted to ascend via Stringless Gully but are not sure they ever found it.  The “route” went straight up the back of Stuc a Choire Dhuibh Bhig via a series of terraces and steps and ended in a spectacular gully.

The team traversed the whole ridge including the Fasarinen Pinnacles.  The conditions on the ridge were dry and the tops were clear.

Ian, Sarah, Kasim, Xin and Dave headed south to the Munro Beinn Liath Mhor.  After some pathless mountaineering they ascended the glorious rocky peak of angular white/grey quartzite rocks all dusted with snow.  The views were amazing!

Rick and Angela found an obscure VS to climb.  The route was overhung by a fallen tree and had no gear on the upper part.  A worthy obscure “tick” to add to Rick’s lengthy crag data base.

On Easter Sunday the main objective for nearly everyone was the third of the big local Munros: Ben Alligin.  It had been raining all night at the Lochan and rain low down means snow high up!  The group split in to various sections: John, Romi and Matthew and also (separately) Rick, Angela ascending anti-clockwise; Kasim, Xin, Ian and Sarah doing a clockwise circuit.  All found the now snow covered sloping slabs on parts of the route challenging if not treacherous.  All three parties had various accounts of difficult conditions, other walkers in difficulty, fearsome drops and the need for extreme care.

David and Alix undertook a private traverse of Liathach also finding the fresh snow increased the difficulty compared with the previous day.  After traversing the early pinnacles due to the snow the prospect of continuing along the side path on wet snow above a continuous precipice was too much so the pair resorted to the pinnacles proper.  They met not a soul and broke trail alone all day – I wonder why?

We had a lovely dinner at the Torridon Inn on Sunday night.

On Monday most of the group had to go home but Rick and Angela stayed on and bagged a superb 7 pitch route at Cioch Nose at Applecross.

Angela Clough with Rick Sewards on Cioch Nose 6 pitches, Torridon

On Monday Sarah and Ian enjoyed a picturesque road and café trip to Sheildag and Lock Maree.

The meet was a great success and the weather was kind to us.

Meet report by David Dees