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A blog of our mountain adventures in Scotland, hiking, biking, rock-scrambling and more !

Rough Bounds of Knoydart

July 23-24, 2016

On the west coast, sandwiched between Loch Quoich and Glen Dessarry there are some wild peaks called The Rough Bounds of Knoydart. Definitely not a place to get lost in ! Steven was leading for the first day, Martin for the second...

With a mixed forecast for the next few days, things were generlly looking pretty good for hiking in the Rough Bounds of Knoydart. I met our hardy group - Julie, Andy and Iain by the end of Loch Arkaig and we quickly got our gear together - the midgies were up early !

Hiking along the fine track, a fast pace was settled into. Into the breeze and we relaxed a bit and strided up to Dessarry Lodge. Alas, this was the end of the track for us, directly north next on a faint path through grass and bracken uphill. We reached the River Kingie, crossed it with ease and tucked into lunch, eying up the climb ahead.

There's a steep haul up to the col between Sgurr Mor and Sgurr an Fhuarain, grassy and pathless. Andy and Iain stormed up it, Julie and I took it at a more relaxed pace. We caught up with the guys at the col, sheltering out of the breeze. Decisions - which peak first and should we leave rucksacks ? Sgurr an Fhuarain was first and yes, no sacs :0) We were by the trig point in no-time, hi-5ing and posing for the camera !

Back to the col, grab some food and up the well-worn path to Sgurr Mor. Occasional breaks in the summit mist teased us, but no real views (maybe tomorrow ?). We returned to the col once more and took in some views and did the 'what's that peak' thing. Back to Dessarry Lodge seemed to take longer out than in, but once on the track, our spirits lifted for the hike back to the loch.

The following day Martin led onto Sgurr na Ciche and its neighbours, I was with a bespoke group going to the same peaks. We started off together, but Martin's group were a determined lot and after reaching Upper Glendessarry, we said our goodbye and they strode into the distance. Martin got the group over all 3 Munros and descended down Sgurr nan Coireachean's south ridge and back to the cars before the forecasted rain arrived.

More photos by myself, Julie, Iain and Martin are here on Flickr.

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