Weather/Conditions: A much more sane day than the previous! Some cloud on top, maybe a snow flurry or two. Still very wintry, but not so bad.
Distance/Ascent/Time: 5.5km / 770m / 4h 10m
Accompanying: Alone

Another lazy day for me. I headed myself again up Glen Shiel to the parking for Bealach an Lapain. This time I headed for Saileag. I'd thought about doing one of the Shiel ridges, but as I recall my heart wasn't really in it.

Sgurr na Sgine and The Saddle looked phenomenal in golden morning light, and I followed long steep slopes up to Bealach an Lapain. Those slopes were far longer than they looked. The weather here was wintry no doubt, but didn't quite have the raw intensity of the previous day. I headed immediately off right to Sàileag, up to the summit which was just in the mist and no more. I'd considered heading to Sgurr a' Bhealaich Dheirg, and went east first to see how I felt, and when motivation wasn't to be found, I dropped direct south back down the side of Glen Shiel where I had perhaps the most fun of the day; digging snow pits and pouring Lucozade to watch the percolation. The patterns show of varying bonding of layers of snow.

Then I continued down again into thick felled forestry, which in spite of the roughness of ground I found myself feeling pretty coordinated in. Back in the glen I followed forestry tracks for a distance west, then dropped back to the car.

The following night was more drinking and fun with the guys, then the following day was a complete washout with weather – which was fine because it was home time anyway.

In time I’d discover it was really difficult to get anything meaningful done on these Kintail trips. If I were to use the short daylight to best advantage I think I’d have to have gone myself, just to maintain that focus that you need. Going with friends meant having a good time, but trying to walk in December meant nothing much ever got done, something which after a couple of these trips I’d happily resigned myself to!

Up the hill

Down the hill

Glen Shiel & Camusluinie

Kintail Lodge & Heading Home

360° Panoramas

Sàileag