Conival and Ben More Assynt

[matthewdunford]

We had a beautiful day to walk Conival and Ben More Assynt.
After climbing Conival and Ben More Assynt, our guidebooks suggest there is a route off the ridge by heading to the southern top of Ben More Assynt and then heading down to the south end of the loch.
We could see no way down that we fancied from there; v steep and loose ground.
Instead, we carried on on the ridge in a southerly direction until the gradient eases and then headed south west before turning north back to the loch. You can then head back towards your route out.
[Ascent data from strava]

[jmarkb]

our guidebooks suggest there is a route off the ridge by heading to the southern top of Ben More Assynt and then heading down to the south end of the loch.

I had hoped that guidebooks no longer recommended that route - perhaps yours are quite old? Folk have got into trouble descending the loose and awkward gully that drops from the col at NC324187. I have been down the slope immediately south of this gully, but it is very steep and I would not recommend it. Going over Carn nan Conbhairean and avoiding the steep ground as you did is a much better option, and likely just as quick.

[prog99]

our guidebooks suggest there is a route off the ridge by heading to the southern top of Ben More Assynt and then heading down to the south end of the loch.

I had hoped that guidebooks no longer recommended that route - perhaps yours are quite old? Folk have got into trouble descending the loose and awkward gully that drops from the col at NC324187. I have been down the slope immediately south of this gully, but it is very steep and I would not recommend it. Going over Carn nan Conbhairean and avoiding the steep ground as you did is a much better option, and likely just as quick.

Yes the newest book clarifies this.