Munro Bagging in the Mamores, Day 6.

After an excellent night's sleep we woke with the sunrise and were soon out and enjoying the views.  It was a fabulous morning enhanced by wonderful heath spotted orchids and cloudberry colouring the hillside.  One of the joys of wild camping is that it is possible to spend the night high on the mountainside and, if the weather gods smile, enjoy beautiful sunrises and sunsets.  After the photography we were quickly packed and heading back down to Kinlochleven, where the support team picked us up and whisked us back to the caravan for coffee.

Not wanting to waste such a beautiful day we decided to explore the shores of the loch and have lunch out.  We struck lucky and, although the pub we chose seemed a tad basic the cullen skink was to die for.  A little further along we came across yet more red deer stags by the road side.  They were incredibly tame and allowed for some close up photography.  They were still 'in velvet'; their antlers still growing and covered with velvety skin, which would later be sloughed off leaving the antlers hard and ready for the Autumn rut.

Art gallery and craft shops followed and we enjoyed excellent views of our two mountains from the first day's walking from across the loch, finally with their heads out of the clouds.  Tea and stickies was a must before returning to the van for a welcome evening meal.  To finish the week we were treated to excellent sunset views along the loch.

Munro Bagging in the Mamores, Day 5.

The next morning dawned bright and clear and we were able to get sorted and dried out before setting off for our round of 4 munros, Scottish mountains over 3000 feet.  The first, Surr Eilde Mor took very little time to achieve as it loomed over our campsite and was a straightforward, if stiff, climb up its south ridge and we were soon pulling up on to the summit.  There was some little consternation on my part, however, as I had somehow managed to lose my camera.  Luckily it had come unclipped from my rucksack only a short distance back down the hill and was soon retrieved.

From this high point we had to descend down the north west ridge nearly back to our camp before crossing the valley and climbing steadily to our second munro of the day, Binnein Beag.  From here there were extensive views west along the main Mamore ridge and over to Ben Nevis, The Aonachs and the Grey Corries.  Surprisingly we also came across a frog on the summit, which cooperated in having its portrait taken.

A quick descent followed and then another climb up to the summit ridge of Binnein Mor.  One of the attractions of the Mamores are the excellent walking along narrow ridges that they provide.  On our previous trip we really enjoyed the Ring of Steall with its forbiddingly named Devil's Ridge.

All that remained now was to continue the ridge walking up to our final summit of Na Gruagaichean, before the steep descent back to our campsite for another gourmet meal of pot noodles and instant whip accompanied by red wine - delicious.