Ullapool is the Gateway to some of the most stunning scenery anywhere in Britain and it was with a certain degree of excitment that I began my drive back up to this wonderful part of the world. And it all began very optomisticallyl, the ospreys were flying along the A9 red kites were flying around Inverness as I passed, so I arived smiling and very happy! The guides had a bit of work to do before the weekend, so we were up on the Thursday to get organised. Unfortunately the weather on friday was rather wet and I was working with Shaun, a rare dissolvable guide-(anyone remember henry from thomas the tank engine who doesnt wnat to go out in the rain and stays in a tunnel-perhaps we should rename Shaun, Henry!!!) .Friday was wet so we receed from the car which was much more pleasant until suddenly the weather broke, the rains subsided and the sun cam eout, so we bravely left the car and had a run around the fells, beautiful!
Then it was time to meet the guests, we studied all the forecasts but saturday morning looked rough but again it was supposed to improve in the afternoon! The less hard walk with dissolvable Shaun did very well, had views and a lovely walk around the moors locahns and valleys behind Ullapool and stayed quite dry with Shaun! Meanwhile the hard walkers had a bit of a debate about where to go-up? the Ben Dearg, the Fannocks, or head into some of the best Corbets in the country!!! Eventually we elected to head north to Quinag and the weather did not improve by the start so we cut around in the lee of the ridge and gently ascended into the corrie awaiting for the good weather. Slowly we ascended and the wind increased and increased as we got steadily higher and higher, by the col it was blowing a hoolie! - a sheltered spot was needed for lunch! The July summer conditions in the wild wet and windy conditions made it more like winter at 800m!!!! Re-enrgised a short dash was made to the summit before we beat a retreat with our heads held high. Yes we missed the views, yes we missed the 3 peaks and the lovely open ridges but we still had a great day and a great bowl of chips in the michelln star hotel!!!
Sunday then dawned optomistically, the hard walkers electing to tackle an unknown corbett and a grahem, whilst the others headed to walk a lost pass with tremendous views, and as luck would have it we all got some stunning views- and thats about time!!!! But more importantly it was the legendary Ronalds' legendary birthday! So once the walk was over we headed out to the seafood restaurant where theose lucky few induldged themselves with bubbly stuff that made us smile and laugh and so the evening went on!!!! The next I knew there was shouting in the bedroom!!! The sun was streaming in the window and the hills werent just calling they were shouting!!! So off I went to Climb Cul More and get some views at last hurrah!!!! And once again I can say...(Click here to see the photos) enjoy
Then it was time to meet the guests, we studied all the forecasts but saturday morning looked rough but again it was supposed to improve in the afternoon! The less hard walk with dissolvable Shaun did very well, had views and a lovely walk around the moors locahns and valleys behind Ullapool and stayed quite dry with Shaun! Meanwhile the hard walkers had a bit of a debate about where to go-up? the Ben Dearg, the Fannocks, or head into some of the best Corbets in the country!!! Eventually we elected to head north to Quinag and the weather did not improve by the start so we cut around in the lee of the ridge and gently ascended into the corrie awaiting for the good weather. Slowly we ascended and the wind increased and increased as we got steadily higher and higher, by the col it was blowing a hoolie! - a sheltered spot was needed for lunch! The July summer conditions in the wild wet and windy conditions made it more like winter at 800m!!!! Re-enrgised a short dash was made to the summit before we beat a retreat with our heads held high. Yes we missed the views, yes we missed the 3 peaks and the lovely open ridges but we still had a great day and a great bowl of chips in the michelln star hotel!!!
Sunday then dawned optomistically, the hard walkers electing to tackle an unknown corbett and a grahem, whilst the others headed to walk a lost pass with tremendous views, and as luck would have it we all got some stunning views- and thats about time!!!! But more importantly it was the legendary Ronalds' legendary birthday! So once the walk was over we headed out to the seafood restaurant where theose lucky few induldged themselves with bubbly stuff that made us smile and laugh and so the evening went on!!!! The next I knew there was shouting in the bedroom!!! The sun was streaming in the window and the hills werent just calling they were shouting!!! So off I went to Climb Cul More and get some views at last hurrah!!!! And once again I can say...(Click here to see the photos) enjoy
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