Saturday 16/04/05

Going to tackle Stuabhal again today, but this time from the south. There is a saddle between Stuabhal and StuLabhal (sic). Had some fun on the bus south, where a man's onions rolled all over the bus. Even the driver got one by the time we reached Balallan, where he changed for South Lochs. Swans bobbed on a lochan near Keose. Alighted at Bowglass at 10.55 and reached the fork in the path by the cairn at 11.30. Here one can branch south, to reach the Langadale River 1 mile south of the crossing point I've been using up to now. Found a disposable camera in the mud on the road. It was no longer working, but I'll take it back to have the pictures developed. You never know who might be missing his piccies. Crossed the river, which was an easier crossing than downstream. It is as deep and as cold though. The bottom is sandy or pebbly. Headed uphill, after going upstream for a few hundred yards. Path was difficult to find, and it disappeared fairly shortly afterwards. Had to struggle my own way to the pass, at 354m, by 12.45. Noticed people on the summit of Mullach an Langa. Nice view west, down to Loch Stuladail, and south to the pass between Theileasbhal and Mullach an Langa. Stuladal is a lower peak, 513 m, south of Stuabhal. I went on to climb towards the summit of Stuabhal, but the increasing sense of exposure, fly on the wall feeling, got the better of me. I really wasn't happy crawling up a 45° incline, knowing what lay below. So, I went back. Down to the valley bottom along Gil Slipir, the little stream that tumbles down into Glen Langadale. Lazed by the river crossing for half an hour or so, admiring the scenery. Then took it easy going across to the main road, the bus doesn't go until 5.05. This was full of feisty youngsters from Tarbert or Scalpay, heading for a do in SY. Had to change buses at Balallan, and the little South Lochs bus was fully packed. Returned to town at 5.50.