For those who comply with this web site, you’ll know I’m not a fan of ridges with steep drop offs. This meant that Stac Pollaidh, though a brief hike, was exterior my consolation zone at a number of factors.

Whereas I’ve accomplished a spherical of Munros, I discovered the Munros on the Cuillin Ridge in Skye very difficult due to the steeps and the publicity. Different ridges, similar to Liathach in Glen Torridon, additionally examined my nerve.

Hike-run to summit of Stac Pollaidh

Stac Pollaidh, north of Ullapool in a area referred to as Assynt, isn’t a tall mountain. It’s 612m at its highest level and has a prominence of some 438m.

This qualifies it for the record of Fionas (Previous Grahams), or New Grahams, relying on the one you might be following.

At first, a well-made path leads walkers uphill from a carpark at sea stage. This path really continues round Stac Pollaidh to kind a circuit in case you are not eager to go greater.

The views over Assynt’s other-worldly panorama and a number of the mountains, similar to Suilven, are excellent.

After a few kilometres heading north-easterly, there’s a junction and an apparent path to the left (west). This climbs extra steeply in the direction of the rugged ridge.

By Scottish ridge requirements, this can be a quick model, however Stac Pollaidh has loads of precipitous drops and quite a few towers.

The true summit of Stac Pollaidh is on the western finish and it claims a title as one of many trickiest tops to succeed in on mainland Scotland.

To achieve the very best level, you’ll want to be assured on rocky towers and managing a couple of scrambling sections. I used to be lucky to be with a small group from Highland Hill Runners and two of the group knew the route nicely.

There’s a maze of paths so my recommendation is to go together with somebody who has executed the route earlier than. If you’re doing the route for the primary time, it’s doable to comply with totally different paths and worn sections upwards after which retreat if it’s not for you and check out one other manner up.

There are a few sections which are simpler if you understand precisely the place you’re going and if in case you have a good friend to information your climb up.

Even with Arron and Iain guiding us, I confess there have been a couple of occasions when the publicity, or worry of what would come subsequent, received the higher of me and I mentioned I didn’t wish to proceed.

I attempted to not look down, solely forward, however then I’d catch a glimpse of a drop to the aspect or a tower of rock forward and my abdomen flipped and my coronary heart raced. A worry of heights might be very disagreeable.

In some way, although, I did hold going. Being a part of a gaggle of fine mates was useful as a result of we gave one another encouraging phrases and likewise the house to vocalise our fears with out judgement. Whereas some within the group appeared completely advantageous on the ridge, others actually weren’t.

There was nothing that I discovered too technically difficult when it comes to the climbing facet of the Stac Pollaidh ridge and, with slightly steerage, the 2 crux factors have been pretty easy quick scrambles. However when your mind is telling you that it’s very scary – very scary certainly – as a result of steep drops, it was difficult to maintain going.

I’m delighted to say I made it. Even on the prime, the place there’s fairly a large part of ridge, I felt a dreadful sense of publicity. However I additionally felt pleased with myself for persevering.

After all, we additionally needed to do the return scramble however for some motive that didn’t appear as dangerous as I had feared.

Our group additionally headed to the decrease jap summit, which most individuals who ascend Stac Pollaidh will get pleasure from.

On the return run to the automobile park we rejoined the decrease path and adopted that to finish the circuit.

Stac Pollaidh: The small print

The full route was 5km.

Whole peak achieve was 700m (though our group did make a couple of additional ascents and descents of assorted towers as we looked for the fitting route.)

This was my route (though please remember that if you happen to comply with it I take no duty if you find yourself feeling uncovered or get misplaced).