Hill: Cruach Doir'an Raoigh
Date: Friday 4th February 2011
Company: Just myself
Dog friendly: Yes

With an MWIS forecast of 120mph gusts and whiteout conditions today, I considered two options – 1) head for the Ice Factor or 2) do some low Marilyns. I opted for the low Marilyns.

I parked in the large layby at Polnish (a few kilometres East of Arisaig).

Start of walk:


I set off in the pouring rain following the Right of Way towards Peanmeanach. The path skirts round a small knoll to reach the bridge over the railway line.

Cruach Doir'an Raoigh:


I crossed the railway line via the bridge and after another 100m or so took to the hillside.

Bridge over railway line:


Railway line from bridge:


The ground today was really wet underfoot. It rained heavily and constantly throughout both walks but the wind was negligible on Cruach Doir'an Raoigh.

Lochan Deabhta:


Loch Dubh:


During the ascent I found some of the rocks quite interesting – stripes of quartz running through them.

Interesting rock:


Ascending Cruach Doir'an Raoigh:


Loch Camas an Raoigh:


The ascent was quite straight-forward and it didn't take too long to reach the summit

Approaching summit:


Summit cairn and Loch Beag:


Disappointing not to get views from the summit.

I returned to the car via the same route and then drove to Loch Morar to ascend Sgurr na Dubh-chreige.

I hadn't done any homework for this hill so just made up a route as I went along. I parked near the jetty beyond Morar Lodge.


Hill: Sgurr na Dubh-chreige
Date: Friday 4th February 2011
Company: Just myself
Dog friendly: Yes

I saw that the front of the hill had lots of trees and rhododendron, I therefore initially headed North to try to find an easier route up.

Sgurr na Dubh-chreige from start:


Lots of trees and rhododendron:


After a few hundred metres, I ended-up just walking through the trees as they were well-spaced apart.

Entering the woods:


I then crossed an area of flattened bracken before getting onto the slopes of the hill.

Just beyond woods:


I ascended a grassy gully between the crags near the summit.

Approaching crags near summit:


Once above the crags I made my way to the summit.
About 50m from the summit I was hit suddenly by storm force winds. The wind just seemed to come out of nowhere!
I went quickly to the summit and then back down as I didn't fancy being blown over. The rain was also even heavier by this point.

Summit:


I returned to the car via the same route.

Loch Morar islands:


Carn a'Ghobhair and Sgurr Bhuidhe (Sub2000 Marilyns):


Looking back to Sgurr na Dubh-chreige:


Despite the awful weather I enjoyed both these hills.

I think Sgurr na Dubh-chreige would be an terrific wee hill for views on a good day. I definitely plan to do this one again in good weather.