Our first Torridon Winter Walking Festival, spread over three days, covered the ‘big three’ (Beinn Eighe, Liathach and Beinn Alligin) along with a winter skills course and two low level walks (Circumnavigation of Beinn na h-Eaglaise & Into Coire Mhic Fhearchair).

Saturday saw Chris and Tim running the winter skills course and Paul and I out on Beinn Eighe. Chris and Tim’s group spent the day in great conditions covering everything from walking in crampons to ice axe arrest.

The others were able to climb both the Munros and njoy some fantastic weather in the process. On the way through Coire Mhic Fhearchair, the group had an opportunity to see the wreckage of the Lancaster plane which crashed there 60 years ago. Meanwhile Ryan led the low level circumnavigation of Beinn na h-Eaglaise. Everyone enjoyed their day on the hill and it proved a great introduction to the weekend.

On Saturday night we ran a fancy dress (togas!) pub quiz in The Stables in aid of Torridon and Kinlochewe Mountain Rescue Team. With prizes to be won from Tiso and The SYHA there was a good turnout and we managed to raise a record-breaking £160 for the rescue team.

Chris, Tim, Paul and I were on Liathach on Sunday while Ryan walked into Coire Mhic Fhearchair. This ended up being a fantastic day with good weather and great views. As my group reached the summit of the first Munro I was caught up by Tim and his group. As we came off the summit I left first and we carried onto the first pinnacle. As we topped out, Tim’s group caught up again and we decided to join together as we had a couple of nervous people and it meant that we had one rope out and not two as well as having two instructors to help each other.

As we came over the second pinnacle it was decided that time was moving on too quickly and we had to drop down onto the Hobbit trail that cuts around the pinnacles, which was clear enough to use. Once on the footpath we made better progress but it was still 5pm when we hit the second Munro and then as it got dark (it was a great evening) we got our head torches out and followed the path down. On the way we were accompanied by Chris and Ryan playing music in the Land Rover and waiting with chocolate! That sped everyone along.

Monday dawned beautifully. The weather was great, there was snow on the hills, and we had a good number of people going up onto the tops. This was a great start as during the summer fest we had been unable to get up onto Beinn Alligin due to wind. Chris, Tim and I were within shouting distance all the way round the hill. Chris took advantage of this and hid from Tim before pelting him with snowballs!! We moved over the horns quickly and got onto the two Munros with ease, all the groups getting off easily, happy that they had come out for the day.

All the guides had great fun and the groups enjoyed themselves. Another successful Walking Festival for Torridon. Time now to start getting ready for the next September Festival.

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