Quinag

[ridgerunner]

Day three of my break in Lochinver and driving out you get a great side-on view of the ridge before reaching the start at NC23250 27380.
It was glorious walking weather and i felt guilty at the start passing about 20 volunteers [John Muir Trust] who were repairing the path that is boggy initially. I felt even guiltier on the return as they were still there!
However i branched left within minutes of the start and soon reached the white granite slabs of rock leading to Spidean Coinich. This good footing enables quick progress and then there is a change to a boulder field short of the intermediate first flat top at 615m.
From here onwards a path appears to the summit. As seen from below on the return.

spidean coinich

On descending from here i spotted a Ptarmigan-What a poser!
Suiven in the background top right.

Sail Gorm looked quite far away.

On descending and looking back , also got a good view of Ben More Assynt , sunlit with snow patches.

Descending from top 713m is by a narrow grass and sandstone eroded ridge , but without any exposure.
Then after steep pull to top 745m continue towards Sail Gorm by path that partially skirts a small prominent top at approx 665m. The top looks like an easy scramble and there is a faint path.
Thereafter a slow gentle pull to Sail Gorm with great views in all directions.

looking south from Sail Gorm. Very eroded slope below top 745m

After lunch break , i returned to top 745m and skirted the top on its east side heading partly to Sail Gharbh.
I had seen its cliffs well from Sail Gorm and didnt feel like further ascent as one doesnt see cliffs well when right above them.
Just before the flat bealach starts rising to Sail Gharbh there is a small cairn that marks where a diagonal path gives an easy descent to the valley floor.

looking up to Spidean Coinich from the bealach leading to Sail Gharbh

The first half of this return route is surprisingly good terrain and very dry and stoney.
When eventually it becomes boggier,the excellent JMT rebuilt path makes life easy.

[mountain coward]

Hmmm - I can see how you get nicely onto the southernmost peak... not sure about the bit between them though... if the path from the corrie is good, maybe I'll have to do them as 2 separate trips... We're up there in June so maybe we'll get round to having a looksee... thanks for those pics though...

[Paul Webster]

Arghhh - you've reminded me I still haven't got to do these, despite them being at the top of a personal wish-list for ages

Look superb - thanks

[malky_c]

Arghhh - you've reminded me I still haven't got to do these, despite them being at the top of a personal wish-list for ages

Look superb - thanks

My thoughts exactly

[soulminer]

Memories indeed !
Have friends in Lochinver and visit once or twice a year. October, 2008 very warm stags in every corrie what a walk
has just about every thing for a days enjoyment wrapped up in three Corbetts
Cheers for reminding me, may walk it again in July on my holibags

[kinley]

One of the best hills in Scotland

[monty]

Tremendous looking ridge, Ridgerunner. Steep looking slopes akin to Liathach just a bit lower. Looks amasing.

[Alastair S]

I've driven past this mountain from N, S & E and never really appreciated its awesomeness - thanks for putting me right Ridgerunner Its now also high on my todo list.

Also excellent capture & caption re the ptarmigan - made me lol.