I only ended up bagging 6 of the 7 on the ridge that day. In truth, the day could have ended quite badly for me. Thankfully it didn’t. As I recall the forecast for the day had been reasonable. The reality though was clag pretty much all the way 
A couple of foot path faux pas on Maol Chinn-dearg and Sgurr an Doire Leathain had seen me plunged into darkness of the ascent of Creag nan Damh. The descent into Wester Glen Quoich in the darkness with Stags barking around me and the knowledge of knowing MrsR wasn’t going to get an update any time soon probably made it my most uncomfortable experience to date. I think it probably still holds that accolade, even with a couple of crackers coming down of the Ullapool Deargs 
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
) I found myself getting up and out of the house at white-cloaked-men-should-be-dragging-me-away O’clock and starting the drive north. There was a bit of a faff parking up just across the single tracked bridge on the Kinlochhourn road (an inconsiderate local parking an animal trailer slap bang in the middle of the space, making parking “interesting”) and then I was off. It was 6.00 a.m.
P1100124 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe start of the day
P1100125 by Riedel2012, on FlickrGairich 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.
P1100127 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe illusive 7th Munro on the South Glen Shiel Ridge
P1100130 by Riedel2012, on FlickrBack 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
P1100134 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe view back to Sgurr a'Mhaoraich
P1100137 by Riedel2012, on FlickrSpidean 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
I certainly had no intention of drinking water off any of the burns in the vicinity But when I finally caught up with them those hairy horned beasts do offer up a superb photo opportunity
P1100144 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe 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
). I was soon back on track and then it was plain sailing to the next junction, which would see me heading up on to the first Munro of the day – Creag a Mhaim 
P1100156 by Riedel2012, on FlickrWater feature
The contrast with my first visit could not have been more stark
From clag three years ago to blue sky and superb views this time round Superb views back to Loch Loyne and across Glen Shiel, as well as back toward Spidean Mialach and Gleouraich
I was taken aback by the views, in no small part due to the fact I saw little first time round.
P1100165 by Riedel2012, on FlickrLoch Loyne
P1100171 by Riedel2012, on FlickrFirst Munro of the day
P1100182 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100184 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100188 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100190 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100191 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100195 by Riedel2012, on FlickrAnd the is time I could see the route ahead (always helpful I find
) and my second target of the day – Druim Shionnach Another easy walk down off one Munro and on to the second. There was even a nice little scramble available on the crest of the ridge near the summit Hadn’t seen that first time round that I can recall 
P1100197 by Riedel2012, on FlickrZooming ahead
P1100212 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100227 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100229 by Riedel2012, on FlickrNumber 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
P1100231 by Riedel2012, on FlickrView to #3
P1100238 by Riedel2012, on FlickrNorth of Glen Shiel
P1100239 by Riedel2012, on FlickrKintail
P1100240 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100242 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100243 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100244 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100245 by Riedel2012, on FlickrAhead to Aonach air Chrith
P1100258 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100261 by Riedel2012, on FlickrGlen Dessary hills
Still enjoying the views too on the apparent high point of the day
P1100266 by Riedel2012, on FlickrSgurr a'Mhaoraich
P1100273 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100277 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100284 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100285 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100286 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100287 by Riedel2012, on FlickrAonach air Chrith has a good little scrambly descent, but again nothing difficult
P1100291 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe view back to the descent of Aonach air Chrith
Maol Chinn-dearg……..oh, Maol Chin-dearg
P1100299 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThree 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
Navigationally I was on easy street on my way to Munro number 5 – Sgurr an Doire Leathain Physically the legs were just starting to “feel it” Place slowed a bit, but I was still "on it" 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
).
P1100309 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100318 by Riedel2012, on FlickrMaol Chinn-dearg summit
P1100319 by Riedel2012, on FlickrAhead to number 5
P1100322 by Riedel2012, on FlickrBeinn Sgritheal
P1100330 by Riedel2012, on FlickrSgurr an Doire Leathain
P1100341 by Riedel2012, on FlickrAll that had been achieved so far
P1100346 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100355 by Riedel2012, on Flickr#5
I’d cocked up the descent off Sgurr an Doire Leathain first time too
forgetting you have to retrace your steps for a short period before heading on the correct route to number 6 – Sgurr an Lochain 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
P1100357 by Riedel2012, on FlickrSgurr an Locahain
P1100361 by Riedel2012, on FlickrTorridon
P1100366 by Riedel2012, on FlickrI 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
P1100379 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe view from #6
P1100381 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100390 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe 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
The countdown was almost complete 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.
P1100392 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe 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
P1100397 by Riedel2012, on FlickrNot 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
P1100400 by Riedel2012, on FlickrFinally.......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
) and cook me up a re-hydrated feast. Ok, I boiled the water, poured it into a bag, zipped it up and waited 10 minutes Then I scoffed it down 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
P1100402 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100408 by Riedel2012, on FlickrForcan 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
P1100410 by Riedel2012, on FlickrWhat I did discover though, was the descent down to the track without a path was steep, steep steep
How on earth I got down it in the dark the first time is beyond me 
No wonder it took so long that time. 
P1100423 by Riedel2012, on FlickrThe 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.
P1100425 by Riedel2012, on Flickr
P1100428 by Riedel2012, on FlickrSouth Glen Shiel Ridge from Loch Quoich take 2. All I had ever hoped it would have been……….and more
This is much better. Well done for conquering the ridge! 
