


Still………………….I won walk report of the month for my efforts





I had often contemplated a return to complete this South Glen Shiel route. Yes, I could have simply driven into Glen Shiel and bag the rogue Creag nan Damh and head down before breakfast. Call me stubborn, but this was personal!!!!!! It was about the route as much, if not more, than it was the red balloon needing to be turned blue.
Oh, and a guaranteed clag free day was also a must


And so, almost three years after having had “Quoich a day out on the South Glen Shiel Ridge” (oh yes, I know a good walk report title when a see one

It was 6.00 a.m.

The start of the day

Gairich across Loch Quoich
It’s a good track to the Altbeithe cottage. Well it was. I was shocked by the mess being made to the area close to the cottage. Some “works” are being undertaken which look rather ugly. Slightly spoiled my photo of the reason I was there.

The illusive 7th Munro on the South Glen Shiel Ridge

Back to Loch Quoich
At the cottage I took the route east. Again the track is generally good, but boggy in places. By now the initial chill was being replaced by warmth, as the sun rose over the hills. Provided a superb view of Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich



The view back to Sgurr a'Mhaoraich

Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich
The only downside to this section of the walk was the fact that the local herd of Highland Cattle clearly believed the track was a toilet. At times I thought I was walking the Cow Pat Trail



But when I finally caught up with them those hairy horned beasts do offer up a superb photo opportunity


The track heads up through Easter Glen Quoich to a saddle, where it drops down into Glen Loyne. I wasn’t going at breakneck speed, just taking a decent but steady pace. At the junction of the paths I took the left hand route, which heads up an over to Cluanie.
It’s an easy path insofar as the gradient is concerned, but I still managed to give myself a small foot path malfunction (well, hey it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t lose a path at least once on a walk



Water feature
The contrast with my first visit could not have been more stark





Superb views back to Loch Loyne and across Glen Shiel, as well as back toward Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich



Loch Loyne

First Munro of the day






And the is time I could see the route ahead (always helpful I find





Zooming ahead



Number 2 summit cairn
And again, just great views. I really can’t think of much else to say about them. It was just a perfect return to the ridge and I could not believe how blessed I was on this day

A bit of a distance between Druim Shionnach and Munro number 3 – Aonach air Chrith, but as for the whole of the ridge really it was just good, easy walking off one and on to the other


View to #3

North of Glen Shiel

Kintail





Ahead to Aonach air Chrith


Glen Dessary hills
Still enjoying the views too on the apparent high point of the day


Sgurr a'Mhaoraich






Aonach air Chrith has a good little scrambly descent, but again nothing difficult


The view back to the descent of Aonach air Chrith
Maol Chinn-dearg……..oh, Maol Chin-dearg


Three years ago this was where it all started to go horribly wrong……….when in the clag I headed down the Druim Coire nan Eirecheanach, rather than following the ridge

No such navigational cock up this time round




Still, I had the views to keep me going, getting great views now down to Loch Quoich (my car was parked down there somewhere and I had that realisation there was still a ways to go to get back to it




Maol Chinn-dearg summit

Ahead to number 5

Beinn Sgritheal

Sgurr an Doire Leathain

All that had been achieved so far


#5
I’d cocked up the descent off Sgurr an Doire Leathain first time too


Of all the Munros on this ridge I’d have to say Sgurr an Lochain is probably the best “looking” in the bunch. Certainly when approaching from east to west


Sgurr an Locahain

Torridon

I finally met my first fellow walkers close to the top, with a couple heading down in the opposite direction. I also had a couple of women catching me up quickly from Sgurr an Doire Leathain. Now, call me childish, but I was adamant I was not going to be “caught” before getting to Sgurr an Lochain’s summit. Despite the protestations of my knees I got me to the summit first


The view from #6


The Ben
Had a quick chat to the women following behind me, as they eventually arrived at the summit. We exchanged the usual chit chat I imagine takes place on this ridge – asking where I’d parked – sussing out if there were lifts to be had

I think may have been a bit disappointed when I explained my route and told them my car was parked up beside Loch Quoich

“How are you going to get back to your car?” one of them asked.
“Walk” was my simple reply

I think they may have thought I was bonkers

So, it was 6 down and 1 to go


My knees didn’t like it, but I was soon down and bypassing Sgurr Beag on my way to Creag nan Damh. I was soon passed by the two women as I bypassed the minor summit. I didn’t mind being overtaken at that point, and soon they were well out of sight – my legs were feeling sluggish by now.

The Crag of the Staggs
On the climb up Creag nan Damh I noticed a couple of blokes catching me up quickly from Sgurr an Lochain. Now, call me childish, but I was adamant I was not going to be “caught” before getting to Creag nan Damh’s summit. Despite the protestations of my knees I got me to the summit first



Not telling anyone just how close I probably was on my first visit before the sun fell out of the sky, the lights went out and I was plunged into darkness. Close? To say I was close would be an understatement, but I don’t regret for one minute taking the decision to make sure I got myself off the hill that evening rather than stubbornly seek the summit. And……..I got the chance to come back nearly three years later and enjoy such a great day


I wasn’t sure quite how I’d feel finally reaching the summit of the seventh Munro on the ridge………after the stresses of that first failed attempt. Would it be an emotional “moment”? Or would it be a grin like a Cheshire cat?
Actually, I was shattered, so it was a “plonk-me-down-by-the-summit” and thank the Lord I’d made it



Finally.......after nearly three years, I was on the summit of the 7th South Glen Shiel Ridge Munro - Creag nan Damh
It was time for a good stop though, out with the Jetboil (other cookers are available



By this stage I was on the equivalent of a hill walking motorway. People kept appearing from the east. All looked at me as if I was nuts when I told them the route I was taking



Forcan Ridge
After about a 30 minutes break it was then about turn and head back to the saddle between the Munro and Sgurr Beag. The map says there’s a stalkers path to take me down to Wester Glen Quoich. I didn’t find it in the darkness first time…………..and I didn’t find it in the daylight this time either




What I did discover though, was the descent down to the track without a path was steep, steep steep




The photo doesn't really capture the steepness, but I'm amazed I once came down that in the dark
Finally I was down. Now it was just a case of head down and walk, walk, walk. Seemed so much quicker this time and soon I was back at Altbeithe. The final trek back to the car hurt, I can’t deny. It was a relief to finally arrive bake at the motor and start on the road home.


South Glen Shiel Ridge from Loch Quoich take 2. All I had ever hoped it would have been……….and more






