First time in Assynt

[steviet_scg]

I have a trip up to Assynt coming up in a few weeks time - first time  . Hoping to negotiate a day or two release to get underground - I have the cave descriptions but really interested to hear:

a. which trips are a must do - noting that these are likely to be solo trips
b. any general tips / advice
c. if there's anything needing doing / checking on / fettling then more than happy to help if I can

cheers
Steve

 

[Cantclimbtom]

I know it's not caving, so I will probably get tarred and feathered, but if you're at a loose end then the walk up Suilven from Lochinver (1 overnight at Suileag bothy if you have time) is an absolute classic. Spent a little time wandering about those parts as a kid (not adult supervised, call social services!!!). Thinking recently how much I miss walking and bothies etc.

 

[mrodoc]

Depends how brave you are bearing in mine you would be caving solo and SCRO are going to take a while to get to you if you have a problem! People go solo caving in Allt nam Uamh Stream Cave (ANUSc) and you could poke around the Bone Caves - those are not weather dependent either. In the Traligill Valley Cnoc  nam Uamh is worth a visit. I would make sure somebody knows where you are going though. 

Regarding Suilven it can be done in a day from Lochinver or if you have a kayak you could do what we did once and paddle down Loch Veyatie then walk to the base and climb it. The actual climbing is concentrated into an almost vertical clamber up the saddle between the two main ridges. There are plenty of other hills that offer equally stunning view though - great for hill walking. If you are in the area don't forget to visit Smoo Cave at Durness.
The GSG website is very helpful regarding information.

 

[mrodoc]

PS if you scuba dive the sea loch diving is great and not weather dependent if you don't mind changing in a gale with driving rain!

 

[Jim MacPherson]

I know it's not caving, so I will probably get tarred and feathered, but if you're at a loose end then the walk up Suilven from Lochinver (1 overnight at Suileag bothy if you have time) is an absolute classic. Spent a little time wandering about those parts as a kid (not adult supervised, call social services!!!). Thinking recently how much I miss walking and bothies etc.

Or even Conival and Ben More Assynt, the ridge between is quite good and nip into the Inchnadamph caves on the way back down, just so you don't get to the pub too early.  :halo:

Jim

 

[Bob Mehew]

Re ANUS - do not try to follow the ropes placed in sumps.  One is often open but can close with poor weather.  You certainly coud drag a family group into the Bone Caves if they were prepared to walk that far, likewise the top entrance to Cnoc nam Uamh and also a look donn the water slide.

 

[Cantclimbtom]

... 
Regarding Suilven it can be done in a day from Lochinver...

Definitely, the bothy stay would be only for the craic of it, time permitting, not a necessity by any means. Perhaps if you had spare evening, especially if you could be bothered to carry up a sack of coal (burn half and leave half for others) plus a bottle of whisky that needed your attention. Solo or with others, that'd be a great antidote to life's stresses. Don't forget the loo roll and trowel

 

[Loki]

We took the kids in cnoc?ers upper entrance. Excellent place and impressive sized passages. Be sure to walk back down the gill to the car and check out the sink?.

 

[Loki]

There?s another thread on here about cnockers on tv.

 

[nmenzies]

Depending on when your going up there is a good chance with it being holiday time that there will be people staying at the gsg hut who may join you on some caving trips. If you contact gsg with your planned dates I'm sure they could pass your details on.

If not as others have said both cnockers and Anus both make fairly reasonable solo trips.

Sent from my SM-G780F using Tapatalk

 

[steviet_scg]

Thanks for all the replies (and pm's)  - cheers 

Really looking forward to getting out into the wilderness and being very much uncontactable!

We will all be doing lots of walking - fairly obligatory when you have a Cocker Spaniel to tire out - so Ben More Assynt (with or without added caves) is a likely choice.

Suilven is very high on the list - won't be kayaking in but that sounds like a grand day out @mrodoc.

Sadly I've lost all my scuba credentials (and kit!) but will be doing lots of swimming (or looking after the dog whilst the other half goes swimming  )

@cantclimbtom: would love to stay overnight in a bothy - but since I've forked out the ?? for a cottage ... another / next time perhaps

Re: solo caving. I wouldn't say I'm brave but I'm not daft and having done a fair amount of solo caving I'm always very happy to call it a day well before I regret not doing so - and certainly wouldn't be following any lines that would normally be underwater My son went off caving a while back - but I'll knock on that door again - you never know I may have company - and good idea @nmenzies - we are going in half-term so that's a possibility too.

Think my shortlist has got longer - think I need a map, the GSG website and a whisky or two to help further planning

 

[Bob Mehew]

For maps try DEFRA's Magic web site or National Library for Scotland who have a host of old OS maps on line.

 

[mikem]

There are definitely diggers staying at the gsg during half term week. You can see otters & seals from the Kylesku hotel & Smoo cave isn't a million miles away

 

[andrewmcleod]

The CNCC page has a good document of descriptions for Scottish caves:

https://cncc.org.uk/caving/descriptions/download.php?id=55

 

[grahams]

If you're soloing the Waterslide is the place to go - very impressive. Uamh an Tartair is also quite impressive though short.

Stac Pollaidh is ideal for a short day and has great views towards Suilven. Further along the valley is the pink sandstone Achnahaird Bay which has views all along the cost to the north to Arkle and Foinaven. Carrying on around the coast to the road end at Culnacraig you'll find an incredibly easy walk up to Sgurr an Fhidhlier followed by one of the great Scottish ridge walks - Ben Mhor Coighich - which can be followed back down to Culnacraig.

 

[steviet_scg]

Back from Assynt - what an amazing part of the world. Seeing the vista open up on the drive north from Ullapool brought a smile to my face - but when I saw the limestone I was grinning ear to ear!

Sadly, I wasn't able to get underground - but as I always say - it's still there.

My lack of caving was partially due to a fairly large dump of rain and partially due to a knee injury I sustained 10 days before the trip north when I forgot I'm in my 50s and Cruyff turned a youngster at football - should know better. 10 days of ice and ibuprofen meant I could still do some walking but caving felt a step too far.

Thanks for all the tips - we had a drive up to Durness, lots of swimming and walks to Stoer, the Kirkaig Waterfall, a very wet walk through the knockan and lochan interior and a final day up and around the Quinang.

Will be back next year hopefully

 

[mrodoc]

The main thing is your inspired to go back!

 

[andrewmcleod]

The main thing is your inspired to go back!

I suspect there are a lot of cavers who have never been to Assynt, and a fair number who have been several times - but not too many who have only been once...