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Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Johnny Corbett » Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:38 am
Route description: The Ring of Steall, Mamores
Munros included on this walk: Am Bodach, An Gearanach, Sgurr a'Mhaim, Stob Coire a'Chairn
Date walked: 28/08/2011
Time taken: 7.3 hours
4 people think this report is great. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).Today the weather wasn't the best and the views were mixed with no views at all from the summits, but in my opinion you didn't need views as there was enough interest in the ridge to keep your mind occupied. The ridge is narrow in places, rocky at times and damn good fun,if you enjoy the scrambling side of it but in no way dangerous. As with all narrow and rocky ridges you just take your time and watch your footing, we were also extra carefull due to it being wet.
The route we took was up the steep path to Sgurr a' mhaim, this is a steep ascent with a few faulse tops and as you gain height the path becomes stoney, with loose scree. It's a case of one step forward and half a step backwords once on the scree path.
After this initial ascent and you reach the summit of Sgurr a' Mhaim, the fun begins. From Sgurr a' Mhaim you take the narrow ridge, this was the narrowest section of the ridge and doesn't involve scrambling but is only a very short section, towards Sgorr an Lubar and round to Am Bodach. From Am Bodach, the descent is pretty steep and rocky with a bit of scree as well. You then head up towards Stob Coire a' Chairn with no "difficulties" at this section and onto The Devils Ridge towards An Gearanch, the rocky scrambling section and as i said great fun with no great danger. After The Devils Ridge is negotiated it's a short stoll to An Gearanach and down the well defined path to the Water of Nevis. The fun isn't quite over yet as you still have the wire bridge to cross, which poses no problems and is quite enjoyable, unless you're like Mo who decided to take the river option for fear of falling off the bridge.
On return to the Water of Nevis you get a stunning view of the spactacular waterfall running down of An Gearanach.The last bit of the walk is along the Water of Nevis and back to the car park. This section is full of tourists, not the friendliest bunch, with a polite hello being met with a stare as if you were a alien and not even a wave to say thanks for stepping onto the verge on the road section to allow them past in their cars. Thankfully very few of them climb hills.
The final part of this report is which is the best route to do this walk. People will have their own opinions, so here's mine. I say the way we went, purely because going up Sgurr a' Mhaim is probably easier than coming down and secondly once you get off An Gearanach it is extremely boggy getting over to the path towards the mountain rescue hut. All thats left to say now is, enjoy The Ring of Steall.
The route we took was up the steep path to Sgurr a' mhaim, this is a steep ascent with a few faulse tops and as you gain height the path becomes stoney, with loose scree. It's a case of one step forward and half a step backwords once on the scree path.
After this initial ascent and you reach the summit of Sgurr a' Mhaim, the fun begins. From Sgurr a' Mhaim you take the narrow ridge, this was the narrowest section of the ridge and doesn't involve scrambling but is only a very short section, towards Sgorr an Lubar and round to Am Bodach. From Am Bodach, the descent is pretty steep and rocky with a bit of scree as well. You then head up towards Stob Coire a' Chairn with no "difficulties" at this section and onto The Devils Ridge towards An Gearanch, the rocky scrambling section and as i said great fun with no great danger. After The Devils Ridge is negotiated it's a short stoll to An Gearanach and down the well defined path to the Water of Nevis. The fun isn't quite over yet as you still have the wire bridge to cross, which poses no problems and is quite enjoyable, unless you're like Mo who decided to take the river option for fear of falling off the bridge.
On return to the Water of Nevis you get a stunning view of the spactacular waterfall running down of An Gearanach.The last bit of the walk is along the Water of Nevis and back to the car park. This section is full of tourists, not the friendliest bunch, with a polite hello being met with a stare as if you were a alien and not even a wave to say thanks for stepping onto the verge on the road section to allow them past in their cars. Thankfully very few of them climb hills.
The final part of this report is which is the best route to do this walk. People will have their own opinions, so here's mine. I say the way we went, purely because going up Sgurr a' Mhaim is probably easier than coming down and secondly once you get off An Gearanach it is extremely boggy getting over to the path towards the mountain rescue hut. All thats left to say now is, enjoy The Ring of Steall.
Last edited by Johnny Corbett on Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Alastair S » Tue Sep 06, 2011 12:59 pm
Great stuff Johnny, despite the fine August weather.
Yet to do this classic - the advice about which way round to go is appreciated - although the wire bridge bit still looks the scariest bit to me so maybe I'd like to get this over with first
That said I have done the walk up the glen and crossing the river a bit further up didn't look like it would be much of a problem.
Yet to do this classic - the advice about which way round to go is appreciated - although the wire bridge bit still looks the scariest bit to me so maybe I'd like to get this over with first

Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Steve B » Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:24 pm
I would recommend doing the scramble onto Sgurr a' Mhaim and then doing the round. You do the wire bridge twice, I had a long think about going over to start with as the river was in full spate. But it's OK.
I did it a couple of years ago and the snow was starting to go so was in mixed condition. The last top was made more interesting by these conditions and due to snow starting to fall again.
The route is described in the Cicerone Lochaber Scrambles book.
I did it a couple of years ago and the snow was starting to go so was in mixed condition. The last top was made more interesting by these conditions and due to snow starting to fall again.
The route is described in the Cicerone Lochaber Scrambles book.
Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Johnny Corbett » Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:42 pm
I'd agree with you Steve, wished i'd realised about taking that route up as it saves 2km of road walking with the added attraction of scrambling rather than the long slog up Sgurr a' Mhaim from Polldubh.
Alistair,the wire bridge looks worse than what it is, though in full spate it would be a different story.If you enjoy scrambling i'd look at Steves recommended route.
Alistair,the wire bridge looks worse than what it is, though in full spate it would be a different story.If you enjoy scrambling i'd look at Steves recommended route.
Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Alan S » Tue Sep 06, 2011 1:55 pm
Great report and pics johnny
I am hoping that i will get this route done this year so thanks for the report
I also cannot wait to see gammy leg walker tackle that wire bridge, I know stretch will be waiting with the camera
Cheers
Alan

I am hoping that i will get this route done this year so thanks for the report
I also cannot wait to see gammy leg walker tackle that wire bridge, I know stretch will be waiting with the camera

Cheers
Alan
Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by audreywaugh » Tue Sep 06, 2011 3:49 pm
Great report and pictures Johnny, well done its a fantastic horseshoe, but can I just point out that the Devil's Ridge is actually that narrow section between Sgurr a'Mhaim and Sgorr an Lubhair the demoted munro, although I would say the ridge on An Gearanch is devilish too!



Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by pollyh33 » Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:04 pm
Ohh I loved this report JC. I would look forward to doing this walk just for the wire bridge- fantastic!
Your gloves are amazing- do they glow in the dark?
Your gloves are amazing- do they glow in the dark?

Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Johnny Corbett » Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:25 pm
Thanks Alan and thanks for pointing that out Audrey, that would be the Devils Ridge on Photo 5 then? I found that bit ok.
Thanks Polly, the gloves come in handy when we get lost, mountain rescue allways find me first
Thanks Polly, the gloves come in handy when we get lost, mountain rescue allways find me first

Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by pollyh33 » Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:29 pm
Johnny Corbett wrote:Thanks Alan and thanks for pointing that out Audrey, that would be the Devils Ridge on Photo 5 then? I found that bit ok.
Thanks Polly, the gloves come in handy when we get lost, mountain rescue allways find me first



Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by morag1 » Tue Sep 06, 2011 5:05 pm
impressive stuff
Really racking up the Munro count Johnny, feel sure you will go on to compleat them all

Really racking up the Munro count Johnny, feel sure you will go on to compleat them all

- morag1
Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Bod » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:19 pm
Yet another great walk Johnny, looks like great fun was had by all. Interesting doing it the opposite way round to which we did it last summer....... 

Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by PeteR » Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:38 pm
Not a bad way to finish off the Mamores
But then, is there a bad way on these hills
Pity about the weather, but you seem to have had a great day. Glad you enjoyed it 



Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Johnny Corbett » Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:18 pm
Thanks guys and thankyou Morag, i hope you are right 

Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Graeme D » Tue Sep 06, 2011 9:40 pm
Nice stuff Johnny. Lots of fine looking pointy peaks in that lot. Still not done these ones either (rained off in May the day I was planning them with Kev - it was an absolute howler!). Looking forward to them someday soon after this one. 

Re: Finishing off The Mamores with The Ring of Steall
by Johnny Corbett » Wed Sep 07, 2011 1:46 pm
Thanks Graeme, you should be able to take your dog as well, i don't foresee any problems for her except getting over the wire bridge 

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