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Synopsis: Excellent groomed path to 600m then less good direct path to gain shoulder, keep heading E until wide flat N-S ridge gained. Turn North and follow to summit. Steep cliffs East of ridge
Historical trip report
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Plan A was Sgulaird near Oban, but wx forecast was heavy rain in the west and satellite suggested zero precip on Cairngorm so a wee plan was hatched.
Many years ago when I were but a lad, I set off from Achleann in Glen Feshie directly up (no path then) to the back of a steep corrie with a scrambling exit onto the plateau near Carn Ban Mor - not a Munro because of its neighbours.
With the unconscious fitness of youth we set off north and descended the cliffs to Loch Einich, thence by Gleann Einich and the Ghru to the road at Loch Morlich - about 20 miles I think.
The $64 question lingering three decades is, "did we do Sgorr Gaoith?" I really dunno but for bagging purposes a revisit was long over due. There are climbing buttreses on the East side of this peak and we would simply have downclimbed them with not a care, rope, guidebook or experience or much clue where we were.
That my friends is how you get experience!
The niggling doubt was expunged today 12 12 07 by a solo jaunt, setting out from Embra at 7 and getting foot on path at 10. Yet another massively upgraded path gives very quick access to the high places. It is even two tone! Red blaize down low, beige higher up then red again. Suits you sir.
As the good path yielded to a fall-line trodden path that was actually more like a stream, the cloud ceiling remained well below the tops.
Up was the plan but this path takes one a bit south of the target and when the shoulder is reached, the path vanishes and a broad, uniformly steep invisible way ahead is a route finding challenge.
Wind chill was formidable and my pace began to claw back the guidebook time minutes I had shaved on the manicured meander below.
I did a compass check to guard against gross problems but there is no dodgy terrain here so just go up. However the ridge once attained is genuinely flat and wide and in absolute zero viz was a tad disconcerting.
My main decision was left or right, though I was sure it was left, one's mind takes these opportunities to f*** with you.
Fortunately many folks had taken advantage of the previous couple of blue sky days and I eventually intercepted a human herd's prints going S-N and N-S. Today I was the only soul on the hill.
They appeared to have had neve and left shallow indentations but today the mild air temp around 6 degrees combined with 30+ mph winds meant my prints were twice as deep and harder to make. Or maybe I is just a fat bastard.
I know this is a bit dodgy but I just followed 'em. Head down in total whiteout I trudged what seemed quite a long way staring at the ground. I knew there was a cairn so when I came to a summit without one the Nav demons began their whispering once more.
Was I walking off North and the summit was behind me? If so I had no stamina for backtracking. Fortunately my 25000 map showed two tiny contour loops - a feature too small for your 50K sheet. Very shortly after that I was at the neat small summit, aware of but not able to see the abyss to the East.
Munch, one pic from camera before batteries said "aye right", then volte face and follow my much more visible footprints back whence I'd come.
Somewhere on the way down I lost my plastic bottle o' ginger. Apologies fellow baggers if you find some forlorn fanta spoiling your day in the hills.
The phone camera was pressed into service and if they are any good I'll post them tomorrow.
- The term selfie had not been invented yet but this must be one because naebdy else wis there.
- The summit and the - um - view.
- What it looks like on a good day. - Credit user Gigha on another site who commented back in the day.
