Magnificent 9 of South Sheil

[jamesb63]

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I had been looking forward to this walk for a while to test myself over a longer route
so with the forecast to be very warm I headed up to Glen Sheil the afternoon before
to get a good rest before the walk and to let me get an early start
My son came along with me he was going fishing so was able to drop me off
(we camped at Lundie Bay ) and pick me up lust past Malagan bridge
As I did not want to walk up the road with the dogs
So with all in place I set out from Clunie at 4.05am ,I could not see the tops as there
was low cloud all over .To my surprise there was no midges despite it being very warm
even at this hour.
The early start was more for the benefit of the dogs with the forecast again being very warm

looking back over Loch Clunie

Just coming out of the cloud

Here comes the Sun

Looking down the glen along the Brothers and Sisters

Looking down the glen along the Brothers and Sisters

A complete inversion all around

A new day is born ,sunrise over Carn Ghlausaid

Instead of going for the normal route of ascent to Creag a'Mhaim I took the direct
route of ascent heading straight up to meet the ridge just below Creag a'Mhaim
Then leaving my my rucksack made the easy ascent to the summit of number 1
I had started out with 2 litres of fluids and would top up when possible
this turned out to be a bit of a problem though there was plenty of small Lochans for the dogs

Looking along the ridge

Summit of Creag a'Mhaim

The Ascent from Creag a'Mhaim and along to number 2 Druim Shionnach must be among
the quickest to do among the Munros ,so it was just 25 mins and we were now at the summit

Druim Shionnach summit,looking down the Glen

Meadow Pipits nest

The temperature now was starting to really heat up and the day was looking great
a few more pics and it was of towards Aonach air Chrith

Gleouraich

Getting snap happy

Again I didn't hang around long on the summit as with it getting hotter by the minute
I took a few pics and headed off towards number 4

Summit of Aonach air Chrith

The paths were bone dry with this great spell of weather so everything was just perfect
I took a small detour halfway to get the dogs a swim and a drink in a small lochan
Great for the dogs to cool down

Dogs enjoying the water

This bold little Ptarmigan wasn't put off by the dogs who being trained workers don't bother with any game or animals

On reaching the summit of Maol Chinn-Dearg I could see 3 walkers on the summit of Sgurr an Doire Leathain
They were all standing taking in the scenery of this beautiful country we live in
on days like this there is nowhere better in my opinion makes you glad to be alive and well

Maol Chinn-Dearg summit

Inversion now showing signs of burning up in the sun now

I now set off on the longer ascent to Sgurr an Doire Leathain ,where the 3 other I seen were still there
by the time I reached the summit the 3 walker were now descending and heading to Sgurr an Lochain
I now had a small drink my first of the walk and boy it was nectar

Sgurr an Doire Leathain number 5

The next in line was number 6 Sgurr an Lochain this was an easy ascent and nice at this stage of the walk

Sgurr an Lochain summit

inversion looking out to Knoydart

Wester Glen Quoich

I had a quick bite to eat and some more fluids and head off towards number 7 Creag nan Damh
on the long bypass path of Sgurr Beag I caught up with the other 3 walkers
They had bivvied out on Sgurr an Doire Leathain having set out at 5pm the day before
they said it never really got dark at all during the night this I had noticed myself
I left them on the start of the ascent to Creag nan Damh
I was now having thoughts of bailing out after the 7 due to still nowhere to top up water
I was now down to 1 litre having used 1 doing the 7

Creag nan Damh summit number 7

I had reached Creag nan Damh in 6 hours and felt great ,so I then decided
to head on now to the long walk to Sgurr na Sgine
Just after dropping from Creag nan Damh I came across a nice patch of snow
so stuffed a bottle full let the dogs have a good munch on it and started off again
I now felt a bit better ,there is then a small scramble which the dogs surprisingly ran up
between myself and Sgurr na Sgine stood the former Corbett of Sgurr a Bhac Chaolais
just follow the dry stane Dyke to the top ,here the heat of the day now really started to kick in
and with not a breath of wind it was heavy going

Sgurr a Bhac Chaolais

From the summit you can see the remnants of an old dyke running west below the cliffs
of Sgurr na Sgine they look great from this angle
the descent from Sgurr a Bhac Chaolais is quite steep but the dogs took it in their stride
and I think it was the 2 small lochans at the bealach that had their focus
and also here I found a small spring so was able to have a good drink and top up
and then I headed over to traverse below the cliffs of Sgurr na Sgine along the dyke to
ascend via the south west shoulder
the heat now here was oppressive and the going was VERY slow counting paces and resting
even the dogs were slowing down
Once onto the shoulder there is a faith path up through the boulder to the summit of Sgurr na Sgine
here I met a walker who had came up from Kinlochhourn
I took a quick summit pic and headed of towards the final summit of the saddle
I could see the Forcan was quite busy with people seemingly queing in parts
I stopped again to cool my feet in a small lochan let the dogs drink their fill and have a good old swim
then I started up the path to the Saddle meeting and chatting to quite a few walkers who were
surprised I had tackled the SSR plus Sgurr na Sgine and The Saddle in this heat
I was very pleasantly surprised how quick I was on the ridge leading along to the summit
Not much room for the 2 dogs and myself on the summit but we managed a Photo
and I was so pleased with the dogs they had coped fantasticly in the conditions and seemed
to sense that it was all over (probably the praise I was giving them)
I took a steeper descent than I came up and was soon back to the path heading down
to pick up my rucksack which I had left at the start of the bypass path below the summit
My son called me when I was just reaching the summit asking how long I would be
I told him to to go to Sheil Bridge and get me some cold drink and a bit food
the final descent was quickly done once I was at the cairn that marks the start of the Forcan Ridge
and I was happy when I seen my son waiting in the layby just down from Malagan Bridge
as he couldn't get parked there as there was a number of cars and 2 mountain rescue Landrovers
in the layby
Summed up it was quite simply a day to remember with my 2 companions who after having
some food and a drink were both quickly asleep and I was able to put my feet up for the journey home

[jamesb63]

Some more pics of the day

Sgurr na Sgine in the forground

The Saddle

Looking back to Sgurr a Bhac Chaolais

Summit of Sgurr na Sgine

The Saddle

The Forcan Ridge

Summit of The Saddle

Looking back up Glen Sheil and near the end

[Alteknacker]

Yes, this is a very fine walk when the weather plays ball, as it did for you.

I did virtually the identical route a couple of years ago, also in good weather, but anticlockwise, starting at the Saddle.

You were going some lick I notice.... pretty close to Naismith...

[jamesb63]

Yes, this is a very fine walk when the weather plays ball, as it did for you.

I did virtually the identical route a couple of years ago, also in good weather, but anticlockwise, starting at the Saddle.

You were going some lick I notice.... pretty close to Naismith...

I had read your report and a few other on doing the 9
the weather was maybe just a bit too warm though not complaining
the early start being cooler let me get a good pace on before the heat got in
Sgurr na Sgine and the Saddle were hard work

[IanEzzi]

Beautiful! Have been preparing for this one after missing out a few weekends ago, doubting I'll get weather as good as you got though.

Love the dog shots, I think I counted only one where both tongues weren't out!

[Petr Dakota]

Well done James !
Great route...beautiful place...brought wonderful memories
Glad you managed all of them and safely with your dogs...

[basscadet]

Looked like you and the dogs had a braw day
I have always been meaning to spend a weekend doing the ridge from Loch Quoich, really take the time and enjoy it.
I got taken up when I was vastly more inexperienced and had no idea what I was letting myself in for, so didn't enjoy it the way that I should have.. I do remember seeing hundreds of hills as far as the eye could see and thinking that I would never compleat

[jamesb63]

Beautiful! Have been preparing for this one after missing out a few weekends ago, doubting I'll get weather as good as you got though.

Love the dog shots, I think I counted only one where both tongues weren't out!

Thanks Ian I think if I was in any of the pics my tongue would be hanging out aswell

Well done James !
Great route...beautiful place...brought wonderful memories
Glad you managed all of them and safely with your dogs...

It is a beautiful area Petr but then I think everywhere is when the weather is so good

Looked like you and the dogs had a braw day
I have always been meaning to spend a weekend doing the ridge from Loch Quoich, really take the time and enjoy it.
I got taken up when I was vastly more inexperienced and had no idea what I was letting myself in for, so didn't enjoy it the way that I should have.. I do remember seeing hundreds of hills as far as the eye could see and thinking that I would never compleat

It was a fantastic day and I fully agree with you I same conditions a walk up Glen Quoich
and start the ridge at Creag nan Damh and walk back Creag a'Mhaim back down Quoich
would be a great alternative

[MountainTrail]

Great report and pics.

I have fancied doing these 9 for a while now but have struggled to find a walking companion to take a car for the return drive up the Glen.

Might look at public transport and go next Saturday.

Well done on your epic walk

[electricfly]

Great stuff James!

I take it there was enough wee pockets of bog water for the dogs?

There was many dried up bog beds on the Fannaichs this week, which had me wondering how you'd be getting on at Glen Sheil.

[jamesb63]

Great report and pics.

I have fancied doing these 9 for a while now but have struggled to find a walking companion to take a car for the return drive up the Glen.

Might look at public transport and go next Saturday.

Well done on your epic walk

MountainTrail if I would have done it without the dog I would have started from The Saddle
and left a bike at clunie as its mostly downhill cycling back

Great stuff James!

I take it there was enough wee pockets of bog water for the dogs?

There was many dried up bog beds on the Fannaichs this week, which had me wondering how you'd be getting on at Glen Sheil.

Hi Eric the dogs were fine I had a couple of detours for them so all was well
different matter for myself though good water was very scarce reduced to snow
to keep going,
That was one EPIC trip you done in that heat in the Fannichs ,
another trip I hope to do ,

[litljortindan]

What a day for the camera. Sounds like that spring appeared at just the right time.

[Jaxter]

Wow what an epic day!! And lovely photos to go with it - glad you had the weather

[mamoset]

Some effort that, nice going great photo's of a great area

[jamesb63]

What a day for the camera. Sounds like that spring appeared at just the right time.

It was a beautiful day and YES the water spring was a godsend

Wow what an epic day!! And lovely photos to go with it - glad you had the weather

Thanks Jax the weather was great maybe just a touch to hot at times
but not complaining

Some effort that, nice going great photo's of a great area

Thankyou I full agree it is a brilliant area the views all around are just special