From the bealach between the two Munros,
Ladhar Beinn can be seen mid right

It was forecast to be a wet wet wet week. My ‘Olympus Mons’ challenge was thrown into doubt before I even got off the coach at Shiel Bridge. My plan was to traverse all the Knoydart and Glen Cannich / Strathfarrar hills + loose ends in a fortnight. For some hills I planned to climb 2500m and walk 25km on the same day. It was a truly mad plan and it didn’t work when I ran behind schedule.

I left the coach and entered a windless torrential sticky humid environment. Changes in the coach timetable meant I had no time for my breakfast in Safeway and I started the day parched. The ascent was via the west ridge of the Saddle, the ascent was slow and the rain though moderate was persistent all day. I was soaked through and on the narrow summit ridge I was suffering muscle cramps in the legs and thighs because they were cold. I reached the summit in an appalling time of five hours. It was 5pm and I did hope to traverse Sgurr na Sgine and another Corbett that day. Not today though, I was glad to be in my tent at the end of the day.

The rain didn’t stop by morning though did turn to showers by 10am, the wind was up and I decided to have a rest day, I can’t remember the reasons why. The weather forecast on the radio said Thursday would be nice though Friday would be wet again. It didn’t sound fun long term.

The Saddle from Sgurr na Sgine

In the end I decided to traverse Sgurr na Sgine and then go home. Overambition coupled with bad tent pegs (I lost my proper pegs) and overnight new snow for cold washing up and a forgotten washing up sponge and seeing good friends for the last time before they graduated were all too much for me.

I climbed Sgurr na Sgine while there was new snow which melted away very fast, and got back to my pack then went down to the glen. From there I hitched back to Shiel Bridge. I felt very disappointed at myself for quitting in the face of bad weather, there would be other times and I felt there was something to learn from this.

The Five Sisters of Kintail

From my mistakes I learned: To give plenty of time and moderate distance and height gain each day, learn that extra distance covered is a bonus. This also meant allowing 20-30% extra time allowance for bad weather.
To be well fed and watered before starting a hike. Measures included bringing Weetabix and 1 litre of water on to the coach.
Remember washing up sponge
As for friends there isn’t much I can do about that apart from perhaps dragging them along with me, making them fail exams and thus stay another year etc.

Next day was finished at Chrissy’s barbecue which gave me an opportunity for last goodbyes.