Page 32 - 1993 AMA Summer

Ben Hope
The Most Northerly Munroe 29 August 1992
Dounreay the Orkney Isles could be seen clearly over 50 miles
aw'ay.
The way down wfas more dramatic because I stuck to the
precipitous w'est side of the mountain which drops down to the road steeply. At one point I was surprised by the appearance of a 6-vvheeled low pressure cross-country vehicle on Leitir Mhuiseil; a shepherd looking for lambs that missed the sales perhaps? Altogether a lovely short day. Car to summit to car in 5 hours at a gentle pace.
On the drive home I made a detour via Tongue to see Ben Loyal at closer quarters - what a dramatic mountain it is. One can imagine Gormenhast sited within its realm. Then on home via Strath Naver. Half way up it, in the pouring rain (the western showers had moved in) I came across a monument by the roadside at Rough Hough commemorating the first gathering of the 93rd. Highlanders in September 1800. They became the Sutherland Highlanders. The monument had been put up by members of the 2nd. Battalion, The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (the old 93rd.) in 1924 to ensure that the 93rd. were not forgotten following their amalgamation in 1881 with the Argyllshire Highlanders.
Plus Ca Change ?
Findhorner
World Challenge Expeditions
Well l did get there in the end. Not on the same day as the annual lairg sheep sales on 12 August, but that can wait until another near. The Broch at Dun Domaigl provides a good parking spot and there are several more just up the road to Hope. The cairn that can be seen from the broch is not the summit, which is a triangulation point some 300m further on.
there is a good path up the side of lovely vertical waterfalls of the Allt Na Caillich. 1 would think that those rock climbers who specialise in such things would find it a challenge. Do people climb in wet suits? At the top of the waterfall is a plaque to one Stuart Paul Davies who died on Ben Hope on 6 September 1978 aged 17. It does not say how. A salutary reminder, if one was needed.
I took the long anti-clockwise trek via the south west plateau, which gave early views over Ben Loyal and Caithness. Ben Loyal looks a fascinating day out. There is nothing problematic with Ben Hope on a clear day such as I had, but it is a big solitary mountain and on a grim day, could be a map reading challenge. 1 guess.
The view from the top was splendid, with only the far western horizon blocked by shower clouds. Morven was clearly visible 36 miles away to the south east and Ben More Assynt could be seen beyond Ben Hee to the south west. To the west, Foinavon seemed very close; what a strange grey-white peak it looks. Way beyond
During the past four years, selected AMA members have led expeditions for World Challenge to South America, the Himalaya and Africa. During the summer of 1993, they will be sending up to twenty expeditions abroad for one month. There are still leaders vacancies to be picked for the following destinations : Bolivia. Ecuador, Morocco, India, Borneo.
The requirement is for experienced and qualified leaders, which can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for the right person. The company pays expedition expenses, including comprehensive insurance, and makes all expedition arrangements.
The ethos is one of development/leadership training for young people of both sexes from schools or colleges, between the ages of 16 and 20. Expeditions depart during June, July and August. This represents an ideal opportunity for AMA members to lead a worthwhile expedition whilst on leave.
Persons interested should contact Samantha V aughan/Clive Barrow at World Challenge Expeditions, Sloan House, 305-315 Latimer Road, London. W10 6RA. Tel.: 081 964 5298 for more information and application procedure, early applications are strongly advised.
32 Army Mountaineer
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