Fisherfield in May

Early in May Pete was in NW Scotland to walk the Fisherfield Six, some of the remotest of all the Munros. Fortunately the weather cleared as the summit of A'Mhaighdean 967m was reached, revealing the astonishing view towards the Western Isles.






Rhuad Stac Mor 918m was the second Munro of the day; seen here from the slopes of A'Mhaighdean on the descent towards the bealach separating the two mountains.





And here's A'Mhaighdean again this time seen from the summit of Rhuad Stac Mor, with rain threatening from the west.

This view was taken on the descent from Rhuad Stac Mor, just before a heavy downpour came in from the west. The return route lay between the two lochans below, then left down the valley to rejoin the path taken when approaching the two Munros in the morning. On the distant skyline is mighty An Teallach.

Shenaval bothy shelters below the SW slopes of Sail Liath beyond which lies An Teallach, there's room for a few tents beside the bothy too. The evening sun lights up the bothy, it's a welcome sight at the end of a long day on the hill.

As the shadows lengthen the bothy dwellers and the campers chat in the last of the sunlight outside the bothy. In the early days of May, before the midges hatch, and when the weather's kind, Sheneval is an idylic place.

Keswick Mountain Festival 18-22 May 2011

The KMF this year was memorable for high winds, and though there was some rain and mist, particularly on the Friday walk over Sheffield Pike and Helvellyn, it was chiefly the strength of the wind, sometimes gusting to over 50mph that characterised the festival. Thursday however was an exception; it was a perfect day, with no wind and a good deal of sunshine. Here's Pete's group taking a break in Langstrath at the foot of Stake Pass on their way to the Langdale Pikes. There were fourteen walkers as well as Pete and Tim, his assistant, and now a qualified Mountain Leader in his own right.

This view was taken just after lunch from Pike o'Stickle 2323ft looking towards our next objectives, Loft Crag 2271ft, and Harrison Stickle 2403ft, in the background.

Here's Bella, the tame Border Terrier, on Harrison Stickle; she's thinking what a long way it looks to Thunacar Knot 2351ft in the distance. The next summit, High Raise 2500ft, was the highest point of the walk and even further away, though the going after the Pikes was easy and made for quick progress. We dropped off High Raise past Long Crag and skirted Sergeant's Crag to drop down to Greenup Gill below Eagle Crag, where we met the footpath to return to Stonethwaite; a long day, but enjoyed by all. Thanks to Trevor Coucil for the photos.