On Friday morning, we set off from the Torridon Youth
Hostel to ascend Beinn Damh. I last ascended Beinn Damh in March 2003.
From the hostel we walked along the A896 as far as the Torridon Inn
before entering the car park and following the trail leading back to the
road and up into the forest. It was great to walk in good company. During
the initial walk there was much talk of whisky and distilleries.
On
entering the forest it was good to see significant efforts being made to cut
back invasive rhodedendron. Alas, it is a difficult plant to eradicate and
it won't be long before further efforts are required.
As we gained
height we got increasingly good views back towards Loch Torridon and beyond
to Beinn Alligin, Liathach and Beinn Eighe.
Liathach through a gap
in the trees:
While
in the forest we passed a lovely waterfall. It is however fairly difficult
to see because of trees blocking the view. It would be good to take down a
few of these trees to show-off this excellent feature.
View across
Loch Torridon to Beinn Alligin and Liathach:
Once
out of the trees we continued to follow the excellent path. On reaching a
junction we took the path heading towards Beinn Damh.
Looking back
from beyond the forest:
Following the excellent path:
Looking back towards Loch Torridon and Torridon:
Beinn
Alligin (zoom):
After
gaining a few hundred metres in height the quality of the path deteriorated;
it is particularly bad in the steep section which leads up onto the wide
ridge.
Looking back during ascent:
A
brief stop:
The
MWIS North-West Highlands forecast was for winds ranging from 30-50mph with
the winds set to increase to 70mph by dusk. On reaching the ridge the winds
were not as bad as I had expected them to be. However, as we began to
progress along the ridge, and gain more height, we had to deal with some
quite ferocious gusts.
Onto the wide ridge:
The
wide ridge provides great views down to Loch Damh and across to the lovely
Marilyn, Ben Shieldaig. The 675m and 687m tops of Beinn Damh look well worth
a visit should I again ascend Beinn Damh in the future.
Looking down
to Loch Damh:
Loch
Damh:
Looking back:
As we
made our way round the 868m top and then on towards the summit, we met a
couple who were returning from the summit. They warned of ferocious gusts
and to take care up there.
Skirting the 868m top:
The
ascent of the ridge leading to the summit of Beinn Damh was indeed
interesting. The average wind speed was not too bad but the gusts were not
pleasant.
Beinn Damh:
The
wind at the summit was however nowhere near as bad as expected. We stopped
to take some photographs but I was not keen to hang around and have lunch
there as we still had to descend the gusty ridge and I was conscious that
the wind speed was set to increase.
View from the summit of Beinn
Damh:
The descent of the ridge was not as bad as expected but at one point Lynne
was almost blown over. During the walk out we were joined by Hugh, who
managed to catch us up, and we all stopped for some lunch below the 868m
top.
After lunch, we returned via the same route but on reaching the
Torridon Inn were thankful for a lift back to the hostel.