Home   Glossary

Spidean a' Choire Leith (Liathach)

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
1055 m (3461 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NG92955797
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
75 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Peak of the grey corrie (The grey one)
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  25   Glen Carron & Glen Affric
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
The imposing mass of Liathach dominates Glen Torridon and Upper loch Torridon with its steep terraced sandstone slopes. Of the six peaks along the 7km summit ridge, two have been ranked as Munros, but the whole ridge should be included in an ascent.

Spidean a' Choire Leith is a craggy peak on the pinnacled ridge. Scrambling and a head for exposure are required for Liathach and there is no alternative safe route off the ridge, other than the ascent routes at either end of this steep sided rocky Mountain. Some of the scrambling can be bypassed but the alternative path may be very exposed.

Hazards you may encounter on Spidean a' Choire Leith include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 Scrambling (minor), easy hand and footholds.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Spidean a' Choire Leith

The traverse of Liathachs pinnacles, the scramble approaches.

© Bill Wales
Image by Bill Wales

graham on pinnacles. 14/4/07.

© Ken Mcinnes
Image by Ken Mcinnes

The traverse of Liathachs pinnacles, definitely a scramble!

© Bill Wales
Image by Bill Wales

Liathach from Sgurr Dubh; 16th July 2009.

© Roger Vander Steen
Image by Roger Vander Steen
View All 36 Images for Spidean a' Choire Leith

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Liathach
by Metcheck
Spidean a' Choire Leith Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Spidean a' Choire Leith.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Spidean a' Choire Leith
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1500 m 10.98 km 5 hrs Spidean a' Choire Leith and Mullach an Rathain  A classicroute. Liathach is an imposing massif, the ascent is steep and the traverse requires scrambling. If you have the head to traverse the pinnacles, then it is truly wonderful route.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Spidean a' Choire Leith

  Baggers Gallery for Spidean a' Choire Leith

26th July 2015: On the last of the Am Fasarinen Pinnacles

© Oliver Bartrum
Image by Oliver Bartrum

26th July 2015 Mullach an Rathain, the Am Fasarinen Pinnacles and Northern Pinnacles from Spiedan a' Choire Leith

© Oliver Bartrum
Image by Oliver Bartrum

These are the days that we climb for. Gordon at the summit.

© Gordon Miller
Image by Gordon Miller

Lisa on the pinnacles

© Stephen Ferrie
Image by Stephen Ferrie
View All 20 Baggers Images for Spidean a' Choire Leith
The logging section stores any entries for Spidean a' Choire Leith in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
  Logging
Your Route Log
You need to be a member to have a route log.
Recently Climbed By
Andy Munro on 04 Jun 2023
George Greszczuk on 01 Jun 2023
Fiona Reid on 19 May 2023
Lee Dempster on 12 May 2023
Lee Dempster on 12 May 2023
Lee Dempster on 11 May 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs

Post a few words about Spidean a' Choire Leith or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Paul Selfridge
wrote on
May 25, 2012
If traversing east to west, save some energy for the descent down from Mullach an Rathain. It's hard on the legs! The pinnacles are perfectly do-able if time is taken and thought is used. I wouldn't fancy the alternative path much. A realy great hill which rewards you for slogging up to it's ridge.
Ken Mcinnes
wrote on
April 15, 2007
A fantastic mountain in a wonderful area.
Peter Sinclair
wrote on
June 6, 2006
Liathach is an imposing mass of sandstone that looks impregnable. Trust the Munro Magic route and you will be rewarded with one of the best ridge walks I have undertaken. The "walk in" from the East is on a well defined path right to Col at 840m. Thereafter some scrambling and a head for exposure are required for the Fasarinen Pinnacles. Some of the scrambling can be bypassed but the alternative paths, to the south, looked to be just as exposed. A superb route.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

  Route Write-Ups
There are no Route Write-Ups submitted for Spidean a' Choire Leith
 
Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | Contact Us