The Final Corbett Countdown - Part 2 (Glen Affric / Spean Bridge, May 2024)

Five Ibexes assembled at the Tomich Hotel, where the air smells sweet and the Northern Lights are clearly visible. Fuelled by porridge and full Highland breakfasts, we claimed two Corbetts over two days in reasonable weather: Carn a Choire Ghairbh (cairn of the rough corrie (never curry!)) and Aonach Shasuinn (ridge of the Sassenach!).

On the summit of Aonach Shashinn

Northern Lights at Tomich

On the summit of Carn a' Choire Ghaibh

David, Susan, and Patrick moved on to self-catering at Dornie, complete with view of the legendary Eilean Donan castle.  Jenn and Patricia stayed at the Kintail Lodge at the other end of Loch Duich, where we had dinner and Jenn had the chance to share her “lovely” room key!  We climbed the Corbett Sgurr Gaorsaic (peak of the horror) and the following day, while Susan rested her knee, the others climbed The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine (the peak of the knife). We spent an hour on the top, enjoying the sunshine and silence (no wind).

Patricia

On the summit of Sgurr Gaorsaic

On the summit of The Saddle

From Dornie, David, Susan, Patrick and Patricia headed to Spean Bridge for a couple of nights. While Susan rested her knee, the others climbed Ben Nevis via Carn Mor Dearg and the CMD arete. Clouds were well above the summit so great views were to be had. Being a full-on day and not finishing until early evening, we detoured to Corpach for fish and chips and took them to our B&B to be eaten on the outside tables.

CMD Arete and Ben Nevis from Carn Mor Dearg

Patrick left the next day whilst David, Susan and Patricia took the train to Corrour for a two-night stay. The buildings opposite the Station House have been converted into three B&B rooms, with a communal lounge in the signal box! Despite being the remotest railway station in the country, the station area was crowded with backpackers, cyclists, campers, and day-trippers. The following day saw the Corbett Leum Uilleim being climbed, David and Susan’s penultimate Corbett! Celebrations were had on the summit with little bottles of prosecco!

Leum Uilleim - Penultimate Corbett!

Corrour Summit

David and Susan spent a further night in Spean Bridge before making the long drive home. Everything had gone to plan over the previous three weeks with just the one Corbett remaining (to be climbed in May 2025!).

David