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Liathach is one of the most formidable mountains on the West Coast. The range covers some 8km and on an east to west line and takes in six main tops along its length. The mountain dominates the terrain at the head of Upper Loch Torridon and when viewed from the south and east (from Kinlochewe) the steep slopes and horizontal terracing of sandstone makes the ridge virtually unassailable. The road passes right along the foot of the cliffs which does much to accentuate the dominance of the scenery. The four highest tops are capped with white quartzite making for awkward going over the angular blocks. The hidden northern side of the mountain is even more dramatic with a series of steep sided corries falling from the ridge. The western slopes are less steep and an easier ascent to the ridge can be gained from Coire Mhic Nobuil - although this is a long drag up.
The ridge includes two Munro tops but it is the section between that provides the most difficulty. The path traverses a series of pinnacles (Am Fasarinen) for 800m that requires a good head for heights over the steep drops on the north side. This is exposed scrambling at its best. There is a path that traverses the grassy slopes just below the ridge on the south side - this is on very steep ground and suffering from erosion and the people we have spoken to are of the firm opinion that this is much more dangerous than sticking to the ridge.
The forecast was not so good, we had already had two big days on the hill and we were thinking of returning home for the weekend. However there was a bit of blue sky around so we opted for a climb up Liathach to explore - if not traverse - the ridge.
We drove to the foot of the Coire Liath Mhor path in Glen Torridon and started an ascent just before 10:00 am. The path follows the burn and clambers across a bit of moraine before starting up the steep rocky hillside. It is heavily cobbled and offers the odd boulber to clamber over. Height gain is rapid and within an hour we were on slightly easier ground in the Coire at 500m.
The tops were still well under cloud and we could not see the ridge at all. It was starting to close in even further and Susan had had enough so we opted to descend - we were obviously not going to see anything if we ventured any higher. We disturbed a young deer and passed a couple of walkers coming up as we dropped down the path. Within half an hour we were back at the car with a wet misty rain drifting up the glen from the West. We called in at Kinlochewe before setting off south and home.
