Hill: Sgurr Coire Choinnichean
Date: Friday 3rd September 2010
Company: Myself and Bob


After a night spent in Mallaig, seven Club members set sail on the Western Isles to Inverie.

The Western Isles docked at Mallaig:
 

Aboard the Western Isles en-route to Inverie:


Sgurr Coire Choinnichean from just outside Inverie:


By the time we arrived, and dropped-off our gear at the Knoydart Foundation bunkhouse, it was lunchtime. Sgurr Coire Choinnichean was the ideal choice for a nice short afternoon stroll. The weather was dry and sunny throughout the day but there was a persistent haze. We decided to ascend and return via the same route, such that we would pass the Old Forge on our return. I was a bit surprised when we struggled to find the start of this walk. According to our maps the start of the walk was just beyond the pier. What we didn’t realise was our maps were referring to the old pier, not the new pier. The start of the walk is between the Old Forge and the new pier!

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

We followed the Mam Uidhe track until just beyond the forest and a gate. We then took to the hillside up a faint path. The faint path didn’t last long and we were soon plodding up through grass and heather.

Looking back from ascent of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean:


Looking down to pier at Inverie:


Sgurr Coire Choinnichean ridge comes into view:


During the ascent I was really looking forward to seeing the Allt Slochd a’ Mhogha gorge. I wasn’t disappointed. It was even more impressive than I had imagined.

Impressive Allt Slochd a’ Mhogha gorge:


Gorge:
 

Looking down gorge:


After skirting round the top of the gorge, we followed a path to the base of the ridge, which we ascended without difficulty.

Sgurr Coire Choinnichean:


Looking down to Long beach and Foundation Bunkhouse:


Ascent of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean ridge:


Ascent of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean ridge:


Approaching first top of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean:


The first top we arrived at seemed to be marked 796m on the map i.e. the summit. However, the next top along looked higher. I checked the GPS and confirmed that we were not at the summit. Five minutes or so later and we arrived at the actual summit. Views from the summit were a bit disappointing because of the haze but even more annoying was being pestered by loads of deer keds.

Looking back to first top from summit of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean:


Bob at summit of Sgurr Coire Choinnichean:


From the summit we returned via the same route, meeting two of our friends Deirdre and Cliff ascending while we were descending. We stopped off for our first drinks at the Old Forge on the way back. A nice wee hill with a fantastic gorge.