June 2022 Activity: Welsh Cantilevers, Men of Steel, Bids on Bidean, and a Keen Hunt of Einich.

Apart from our Weekend Meet in June there were numerous trips made in Scotland, also one down to Wales.

On 01/06 JE, CM, BR & IH met for their yearly Welsh trip, staying at YHA’s Idwal Cottage (SH 64885 60350). Here JE, CM & BR are seen seated at Lyn Idwal, SW up the hill from the cottage.

Looking SE from the NE rib of Y Garn (SH 63539 59992), over Lyn Idwal with Tryfan in the cloud.

From the top of Y Garn looking east with Tryfan, now clear, leading to Glyder Fach & Glyder Fawr centre and Snowdon behind on the right.

On the route down from Glyder Fach…we just can’t resist it – JE & IH on The Cantilever Stone.

They choose to descend the grade 1 scramble Bristly Ridge, to the base of Tryfan, experiencing exciting moments.

The following day they had an easy scramble up Dear Ddu leading to the summit Carnedd Moel Siabod SH 70525 54624. Above is Dear Ddu ridge looking SW from Moel Siabod.

On 04/06 JB & pals climbed around the Ring Of Steall. This is a circular ridge walk, rising from the cable crossing on the Water of Nevis to An Gearanach (NN 18771 66962) to Sgurr a Mhaim (tremendous ) via the connecting ridge and back to the floor of the glen. The weather was tremendous and views spectacular…so hot that he ran dry of water! Above looks SE towards the waterfall above the fords at the Water of Nevis.

Water looking pretty low down.

They reach the connecting ridge heading clockwise…Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg top centre.

…nobody has evaporated yet - but there’s still some to go.

Looking SW with great clarity, Loch Leven on the left and the Beinn a Bheithir (NN 04024 55478 ) horseshoe centre.

Not long before the descent to the glen and JB considers it one of his best days out no doubt.

On 22/06 AS & GG were in Glen Coe for the first time in ages, bagging Stob Coire nam Beith (NN 13907 54536) , Bidean nam Bian (NN 14381 54184) and Stob Coire an Lochan (NN 14854 54857). Atmospheric view of the climb ahead from Achnambeithach 1 km from the Clachaig Inn.

Along the ridge…

…almost clear looking east.

Looking back west.

From 26/06 MMcE & partner were busy cycling in a number of locations; first up a cycle through Rothiemurchus forest to Loch Einich. Above they get ready for their trip through Rothiemurchus forest.

Glen Einich.

Loch Einich (NN 91856 99669).

In the following days they did a trip up Mount Keen (NO 40885 87012), having first cycled to the Queen’s Well (pictured above) in Glenmark, leaving the cycles a little further on at Glenmark cottage to ascend Mount Keen on foot.

Ascending Mount Keen with Glen Mark below.

View of Lochnagar from Mount Keen.

On their final outing they went Graham bagging in Glen Lee, ascending Hunt Hill (NO 37975 80459). Above in the distance is Loch Lee and Glen Lee from the edge of Hunt hill.

The view of Mount Keen to the NNE.

…and Lochnagar (NO 24505 85658) from the tiny summit cairn.

On 29/06 BR & IH made their way north for a night at Ratagan Youth Hostel (NG 92049 19736) and a couple of days camping by Loch Cuaich (NH 01831 03835). Above is a late evening pic taken from the hostel looking NE over Loch Duich.

The following day they go to Cluanie and climb the Corbett Am Bathach (NH 07312 14308) and then onto Ciste Dubh (NH 06225 16341). The above features IH at the top pf the former looking onto the latter.

From the top of Ciste Dubh looking west to the Five Sisters of Kintail.

That evening at the Loch Cuaich camping spot with Gairich (NN 02492 99561) in the background.

Panorama taking in Gairich, main left, then SE down Loch Cuaich.

The following day they climbed Spidean Mialich (NH 06232 04326) then anticlockwise onto Gleouraich (NH 03952 05307). The above taken from the SW slopes of Spidean Mialich looking over Loch Fearna in the foreground, with Gairich in the background.

In the final day the weather broke and their ascent of Sgurr Mhaoraich (NG 98386 06554), anticlockwise from the southern path at NH 01019 03481, went from warm sunshine to dreich wind.