Thursday 4 October 2007

30th September Stone Valley






After a late start following a wedding in Strathpeffer on Saturday Jane and I headed for Stone Valley at the West end of Loch Maree. This area boast a large number of Crags within a few minutes walk on one another. We warmed up on the classi Open Secret a 2 pitch HS before I led Bald Eagle the HVS next door. This proved to be a quality pitch not spoilt by the odd drop of rain as I started the route. Jane ended the day leading the short but meaty Cheesegrater slab at VS 5a. The rock here is Lewissian Gneiss and very rough and friendly. This area of Scotland is excellently served by the new SMC Highlands Outcrops Central Guide which details literally dozens of crags opened up by the prolific local explorers.

We camped locally near Poolewe that night and awoke to a showery day. We took the Guidebook's advice and headed for Rubha Mor the peninsula north of there to avoid the rain. We went to Opinan Slabs a small sandstone area 15 minutes from the road end with cracking views north to Coigach and Reiff.

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