A Forcan Ridge Too far - No Way!!

[dooterbang]

Day 2 of our trip and the anticipation was building, i was excited to be revisiting the Forcan Ridge for the 2nd time in 2 weeks. I'm unsure if my friend felt the same enthuisiasm, we had done Striding Edge and Hellvellyn the week before in preparation for this. . . .it had been my friends only scrambling experience till now

I did asure my friend that we could turn back at anytime, not a good option, or bypass the scrambling. My friend turned 36 on this day and i thought it would be a memorable way to spend a birthday, if alive by the end of it

We would also be taking in Sgurr na Sgine & The saddle

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This route is well covered in previous TR so photos and some words of our day will follow.

The start





The further up we went it seemed the wind was picking up, not good

Loch Duich in the distance


It wasnt long till we set eyes on the Forcan Ridge




My friend appeared to be enjoying the little jaunt to the base of the ridge
The scrambling came soon enough and we progressed steadily





I was loving this and my friend was coping very well indeed, we did take our time and made sure safety was at the forefront of our minds. As we progressed along the ridge the wind died down slightly and made conditions easier.
The Ridge











We only missed the big climb down as by that point my friend was tired with the physical and mental effort of doing this ridge. In all we spent 2h 30m on the actual ridge scrambling.


More than 3 hrs later we reached the Summit of the Saddle


My private pool



My friend had enjoyed the ridge thoroughly but did admit to tiring near the end, a great effort i think.

We had some food whilst enjoying the sunshine and views to the Cullin ridge before setting of to Sgurr na Sgine.
The pressure was off now and we could relax and enjoy the rest of the walk.

Sgurr na Sgine




Once at the summit of Sgurr na Sgine we spent some time taking in the wonderful 360 views.

Heading back to the bealach and view of the Forcan Ridge


At the bealach we followed the dry stone wall that took us to the path leading to the ridge. We followed the path back to the start.
Final view of the ridge



8hrs later and in the car we hopped, heading back to our log cabin to soak up some sunshine. My friend had enjoyed the ridge, and the day before....a superb way to spend a birthday.

On our final day we took it easy and drove to Loch Arkaig and chilled with some music, food and a beer
A simply fantastic weekend that i shall never forget

[gagfax]

Like the look of that downclimb

Need to get up there myself.

[rockhopper]

another great one there dooter - you're getting as bad as me young man love the "private pool" photo

[dooterbang]

Like the look of that downclimb

Need to get up there myself.

Well dont hang around, get planning

[neilmci]

I remember being V tired by the time we got to the drop down (Due to the previous nights excessive snoring of others that shall remain nameless - you know who you are!) and spent a few minutes trying to work out how to get past it. From memory we took the bypass to the East side and it was pretty loose.

I was glad the ridge was over as I had a few "WTF am I doing?" moments.

But all of that was forgotten on the drive home!

[dooterbang]

another great one there dooter - you're getting as bad as me young man love the "private pool" photo

Well i think i've some way to go Rockhopper, your madness does inspire though. . . . maybe one day i can be totally bonkers, in an endearing way off course

Yeah that pool was at the summit of the saddle, superb. . . .but i had forgotten my trunks, swim cap and goggles.
Did have a towel though, should have skinny dipped

[dooterbang]

I remember being V tired by the time we got to the drop down (Due to the previous nights excessive snoring of others that shall remain nameless - you know who you are!) and spent a few minutes trying to work out how to get past it. From memory we took the bypass to the East side and it was pretty loose.

I was glad the ridge was over as I had a few "WTF am I doing?" moments.

But all of that was forgotten on the drive home!

WTF indeed!! I think we all get them moments from time to time. Well done on doing it though.

[mountainstar]

Looked a great day for it, as the pictures show.
That picture of the private pool looks as if its got snow or frost on its banks, how come its looks white?

[dooterbang]

Looked a great day for it, as the pictures show.
That picture of the private pool looks as if its got snow or frost on its banks, how come its looks white?

Its snow Alan.

I know you dont get much down in Sheep land, and the only white you see is the wooly coat of your next victim...bah bah!!

Was a little pocket of snow on top of the Saddle. Was the end of April

[mountainstar]

Ah, thought you had only just done it.
PS looking forward to seeing you in the Autumn, at least the whites of your eyes..BOOM BOOM!

[Paul Webster]

Was the end of April

Was starting to think you'd been living in a sunny parallel universe Scotland with all these great reports.

[iainwatson]

great report paul,looks like a lovely arae to walk in and i'm looking forward to the getting around to going over this ridge

[malky_c]

Nice - wish I'd seen some of that weather. Like the remaining snow patch on the summit too

I still have a Graham to do here, so no doubt will take another trip over the ridge when I do it.

[Alastair S]

Some super photos of the ridge there - & like the private pool one too.

[Woodsy Boy]

Have to agree , a cracker of a pool shot.