Nearing completion and Loch Quoich

Auld news from a few weeks ago but …

Got fond memories of the last few Munros that led up to completing my round of those hills back in 2000. The trip to the far north and Fisherfield left me with three Corbetts left. The universe conspired to give a wee window of free time and reasonable forecast to allow a quick dash to the edge of Knoydart and Sgurr a Choire-bheithe which had been left over from a trip last year.

For a bit of sport, I had planned to approach from the west along Loch Quoich. I had three options in terms of boat – sea kayak (fast but a but a bit tippy in my hands), packraft (lite which gave a portage option but way too slow) so I opted for my Sevylor inflatable canoe (nae chance of a swim and faster than the packraft).

Heading down the Loch towards the campsite and weather !

Arrived at the closest get in point late morning and got ready. Something about a water based journey always makes me nervous and it was good to get out on the water and started. With the wind blowing down the loch unusually from the east, going was fairly easy but a few large waves later and ma arse was wet. A few more waves and it was clear, the boat was filling with water. Quick fumble about indicated why …the drain plug was out ! One sense of humour failure later and all was well and I continued down the loch. After about two hours, I hauled the boat up the shore and emptied the dry bag to set up camp. Tent up and changed into running gear, I headed off up the glen towards Sgurr a Choire-bheithe. Enjoyed a slow trot along the excellent path and was soon climbing higher above Lochan nam Breac and the River Carnach. Continued on the path which eventually leads over to Barrisdale as far as the high bealach then a short but steep climb up to the summit of Sgurr a Choire-bheithe itself. Took some time to look around over the Knoydart hills and over towards Skye and Rhum remembering various trips over the years. Will have probably said a number of times but doing the Corbetts has given a different view of the Munros and help to build a more complete understanding of the landscape in each area.

Getting a bit chilly, dropped quickly to regain the track that had provided the approach. Startled a herd of deer who once at a safe distance stopped to look back with one of those “didn’t expect that” looks about them. Back at the path made quick progress back to the tent where it was time for food and some tunes on the ipod as the light started to fade.

Next morning, I woke with confirmation from the tent flysheet that the wind was up a bit. Looking up the loch, it was clearly going to be “interesting”. With not much in the way of choice, I tried different lines to try and gain some shelter from the wind but when it came down to it …stronger paddle strokes were all that was really required. Got back to the van fairly exhausted and glad to be back on land.

So …down to two Corbetts to go. Plan is to head to the island of Harris in July to get Clisham then the final summit sometime in autumn. Will be strange to finish but I’m amendment that I’m not getting involved in another list of hills (a few folks will confirm I said the same after the Munro round) – personally, I blame Manny Gorman for providing inspiration when he ran the Corbetts back in 2009. If you haven’t already, his book is highly recommended !