March appears to have brought some more stable and clear weather over the North West Highlands of Scotland. Of course it would be rude not to get out in the snow and make the most of it. Our goal, Ben Mor Assynt and Conival.

Ben Mor Assynt and Conival are two of the four Monroe we have here in the North West Highlands Geopark. Sitting up a quiet glen behind Inchnadamph neither summit can be seen as you walk up the track. We spent time down in the valley brushing up on the basics of mountain navigation. Using the five D’s of navigation; Destination, Direction, Distance, Duration and Description we sharped our navigational tools before testing ourselves on a few navigation points. One of our navigation points was the traligill caves, the largest cave system in Scotland. This huge cave system is dangerous and difficult to get into so we stayed on the surface and looked into an underground streams running into a large hole.

Soon we were entering the snow line and making good use of the navigation skills we had been practising on the lower slopes. Fortunately the slushy snow firmed up as we gained height. As the mist lifted and the skies opened up we were given a stunning panorama from the east coast all the way to the west coast. Walking across the ridge to Ben Mor Assynt we were glad we had brought our crampons as there were firm patches. A truly brilliant day.

Ben Mor Assynt

Richard enjoying the snow

Getting to grips with navigation

Traligill caves