Left Perth early, arrived at Ballahulish at 7:50am.
Started near the school, and made our ascent up the northeast ridge.
Steep continuous ascent, path ok
You can see the path just below the snow line to the right of the picture.
Due to the ice, couldn't climb the way the path directed us.
Took a sort of bypass path, very exposed, with a scramble up a gully Not shown).
At the summit of the first top
Put on crampons to walk to ridge to Sgorr Dhearg
Summit of Sgorr Dhearg - first munro
First view of Sgorr Dhonuill - very intimidating - great vista.
Walk to Dhonuill did not look too bad until looked at the top section.
Aready said to Jelly that I might not make the final ascent.
He told me to grow a pair and go for it.
For scale you can just see two walkers about midway to Sgorr Dhonuill near a large patch of snow.
The final section didn't look too bad, however there is a 10m long, level ridge walk that takes you to the summit plateau.
The short bit of ridge is very exposed (not shown).
Maybe you realised from a previous report ( An Teallach ) , I have a fear of heights / exposure.
I was literally at the same level as the summit but 15m away from the plateau - I was not going to do the last 10m.
After some coaching, and security of sure footedness from the crampons I progressed to the plateau - under pressure, and sweating like a fat lass.
Great views from Sgorr Dhonuill summit - glad I did it.
Didn't want to stay at the top for too long as still worrying about the 10m ridge of fear.
Glad to be descending, quickly over summit ridge and back down the steep slopes of Sgorr Dhonuill towards the bealach
On way down from Sgorr Dhonuill to bealach
Photo looking back towards bealach
Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.
Bheithir in the snow
Bheithir in the snow
by alanmurray » Wed Oct 13, 2010 7:38 pm
Route description: Beinn a' Bheithir via Schoolhouse Ridge
Munros included on this walk: Sgòrr Dhearg (Beinn a' Bheithir), Sgòrr Dhònuill (Beinn a' Bheithir)
Date walked: 13/02/2010
Time taken: 7 hours
Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).Re: Bheithir in the snow
by Scotjamie » Wed Oct 13, 2010 8:48 pm
well done alanmurray - for a mountain feartie you are managing some good summits - you'll be romping along the AE soon enough
Thanks for the great pics of a hill that I did many years ago but without a camera
Thanks for the great pics of a hill that I did many years ago but without a camera
Re: Bheithir in the snow
by mountain coward » Wed Oct 13, 2010 9:26 pm
Glad I'm a woman - noone can tell me to 'grow a pair'! How mean of him! But at least he got you up - I hated that top section of Domnhuill - not the narrow flat ridge but the climb up boulders afterwards and then going round onto the front above that nasty crag. When we did it we couldn't see anything except slimy verticality going off down below us... and the rock we had to clamber us was wobbly in my book! UGH!
Those pics of the ridge round to Sgurr Dhearg remind me that I always think that is one of the most elegant curves/views in Scotland!
Those pics of the ridge round to Sgurr Dhearg remind me that I always think that is one of the most elegant curves/views in Scotland!

- mountain coward
Re: Bheithir in the snow
by alanmurray » Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:28 pm
Thanks for the posts and taking the time to read my diary.
I have completed the Aonach Eagach - I did not enjoy it one bit - just wanted it to end.
Was harassed for many weeks before I accepted the challenge, and I knew that if I started it I would have to finished the ridge.
Will post a report soon.
One of my climbing buddies is fearless and pushes me to the limit which is good. - there is many times I would have turned back , and his words of encouragement, gets me through it - and glad of it.
Loved the curved ridge to Dhearg and the rugged route to Dhonuill.
I have completed the Aonach Eagach - I did not enjoy it one bit - just wanted it to end.
Was harassed for many weeks before I accepted the challenge, and I knew that if I started it I would have to finished the ridge.
Will post a report soon.
One of my climbing buddies is fearless and pushes me to the limit which is good. - there is many times I would have turned back , and his words of encouragement, gets me through it - and glad of it.
Loved the curved ridge to Dhearg and the rugged route to Dhonuill.
Re: Bheithir in the snow
by Merry-walker » Wed Oct 13, 2010 10:31 pm
Ridges... aaaaaarrrgghhhh!!! No, no, no, .....
Large flat summittsssss, yes, yes,yes.....
Large flat summittsssss, yes, yes,yes.....
Re: Bheithir in the snow
by Scotjamie » Thu Oct 14, 2010 1:11 pm
alanmurray wrote:I have completed the Aonach Eagach - I did not enjoy it one bit - just wanted it to end.
Didn't realise you had done this alan (apols) - but Sgorr nam Fiannaidh is not ticked off on your munro map
alanmurray wrote:Will post a report soon.
for a wee taster I trust the feelings were similar:- http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=6583
Re: Bheithir in the snow
by mountain coward » Thu Oct 14, 2010 9:41 pm
alanmurray wrote:Thanks for the posts and taking the time to read my diary.
I have completed the Aonach Eagach - I did not enjoy it one bit - just wanted it to end.
Was harassed for many weeks before I accepted the challenge, and I knew that if I started it I would have to finished the ridge.
Will post a report soon.
One of my climbing buddies is fearless and pushes me to the limit which is good. - there is many times I would have turned back , and his words of encouragement, gets me through it - and glad of it.
Another one who should have done as per my "coward's route"

- mountain coward
Re: Bheithir in the snow
by alanmurray » Fri Oct 15, 2010 7:39 pm
Yeah, glad I've completed the ridge - maybe not conquered it tho.
Most of the time just concentrating on instruction from a climbing buddy and not appreciating the mountain
Report to follow
Most of the time just concentrating on instruction from a climbing buddy and not appreciating the mountain
- The Ridge
Report to follow
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