Inversion on the South Glen Shiel Ridge
Posted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:12 am
I'd had my eye on this route for a long time and always wondered if I would ever manage to bag all 7 munros in a single day. The summer of 2018 had been fantastic so far with a lot of dry sunny weather giving a real enjoyable time on the hills. I was now starting to do some real damage in the northwest highlands and really enjoying exploring this area of Scotland which had previously been unknown to me.
The South Glen Shiel ridge had always been a summer target as the longer daylight hours would be welcome for such a demanding hike. I always thought it would be best to attempt this hike with an additional car left at the end to aid our return but I was never able to find anyone else willing to drive such a distance to climb hills for fun!
My research on walkhighlands reports revealed many were able to catch the bus which could drop them back at the Cluanie Inn while others suggested that hitching a ride from passing cars was possible. With this in mind we decided to chance it and go with one car and hope for the best.
With me on this adventure was Colin and Sam. Two from my group of friends who are probably the most eager to climb the hills with me. Colin up to this point was sitting on 82 munros with Sam on 63. Having started ticking them off solo for a few years before they joined me I was on 148 before this trip.
Excited for this mammoth day out on the ridge we drove up from Greenock on Friday evening leaving at 5pm and arriving at the Cluanie Inn about 9pm. We pitched our tent just off the track behind the Cluanie Inn where a few others had also set up camp. Great little spot to stay with river beside us so we could cook our tea with the trangia.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
The next morning we woke to a very misty Glen Shiel and were a bit demoralised. We thought this thick fog was going to cover the summits and our journey along the ridge would be utterly void of scenery but we set off at 6am regardless and were in for a stunning reveal high above the mist.
About an hour in and on our ascent of the first munro we were treated to clear blue skies and a truly breath-taking inversion.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Climbing out of the mist.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Only my second time witnessing this phenomenon.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit 1/7 on the ridge. Creag a'Mhaim at 8:30am.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit selfie on Creag a'Mhaim. My 149th Munro.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Great view over to Ciste Dhubh on the other side of the Glen with thick inversion in the valley.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Heading west all day the ridge stretched in front of us.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Only an hour later and the inversion was burning off at a rate of knots.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Looking back on Creag a'Mhaim as we head for munro #2.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Druim Shionnach in the distance.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit of munro 2/7, Druim Shionnach at 10am.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Some nice character on the ridge looking back.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit 3/7. Aonach air Chrith at 11:15am.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
The next two summits in sight as we continue westward with the sun on our backs.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Great view of Loch Quoich from the ridge.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit 4/7. Maol Chinn-dearg at 1pm.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Sgurr an Doire Leathain the next munro to aim for as the heat intensified.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Nearing the summit of Sgurr an Doire Leathain.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
A party of runners tackling the ridge and closing on us fast.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Looking towards Gleouraich to the south. Bagged him back in April 2018.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit selfie on munro 5/7 on the South Glen Shiel ridge. Sgurr an Doire Leathain at 2pm.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Next munro in sight and merely a stones throw away.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Definitely the best looking munro on the ridge. Sgurr an Lochain.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
A steeper climb on this munro requiring the first and last use of the arms for a small scramble.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit 6/7. Sgurr an Lochain at 3pm.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Reasonably quick descent of Sgurr an Lochain but we were running very low on water. The ridiculously hot day and physical exertion meant our 3 litres were almost gone. Thankfully we found a well placed stream of ice cool water to fill up on just before heading up Creag nan Damh.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Closing in on the final summit.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Munro 7/7 of the South Glen Shiel ridge. 4:30pm on Creag nan Damh
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Great view down towards Loch Duich from the last munro.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Headed north off the last summit down to the A87. We were conscious about getting back to the road in time for the bus passing so we might hitch a ride back to our starting point.
The descent took us about 2hrs from the top as the path was quite steep and craggy. Coming down this way requires a river crossing on Shiel river. Thankfully the long dry weather meant the water was quite low making the crossing rather pain free.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
At 6:45pm we were back on the A87 and sitting at the layby waiting on the 7:30 bus. The 45 minute wait led us to chance our luck with passing cars for a free ride back to the Cluanie Inn. About 20 min of trying we were rewarded with a minibus stopping and luckily 3 spare seats. Massive thanks to the guys who gave us a lift back. Turned out they had already picked up 2 paragliders.
Great day out but I was in quite a bit of pain after that one. Huge effort to bag these munros and I was a complete **** forgetting to put sun cream on the back of my legs and heading west all day they got barbecued. Lesson learned the hard way.
The South Glen Shiel ridge had always been a summer target as the longer daylight hours would be welcome for such a demanding hike. I always thought it would be best to attempt this hike with an additional car left at the end to aid our return but I was never able to find anyone else willing to drive such a distance to climb hills for fun!
My research on walkhighlands reports revealed many were able to catch the bus which could drop them back at the Cluanie Inn while others suggested that hitching a ride from passing cars was possible. With this in mind we decided to chance it and go with one car and hope for the best.
With me on this adventure was Colin and Sam. Two from my group of friends who are probably the most eager to climb the hills with me. Colin up to this point was sitting on 82 munros with Sam on 63. Having started ticking them off solo for a few years before they joined me I was on 148 before this trip.
Excited for this mammoth day out on the ridge we drove up from Greenock on Friday evening leaving at 5pm and arriving at the Cluanie Inn about 9pm. We pitched our tent just off the track behind the Cluanie Inn where a few others had also set up camp. Great little spot to stay with river beside us so we could cook our tea with the trangia.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
The next morning we woke to a very misty Glen Shiel and were a bit demoralised. We thought this thick fog was going to cover the summits and our journey along the ridge would be utterly void of scenery but we set off at 6am regardless and were in for a stunning reveal high above the mist.
About an hour in and on our ascent of the first munro we were treated to clear blue skies and a truly breath-taking inversion.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Climbing out of the mist.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Only my second time witnessing this phenomenon.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit 1/7 on the ridge. Creag a'Mhaim at 8:30am.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit selfie on Creag a'Mhaim. My 149th Munro.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Great view over to Ciste Dhubh on the other side of the Glen with thick inversion in the valley.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Heading west all day the ridge stretched in front of us.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Only an hour later and the inversion was burning off at a rate of knots.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Looking back on Creag a'Mhaim as we head for munro #2.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Druim Shionnach in the distance.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit of munro 2/7, Druim Shionnach at 10am.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Some nice character on the ridge looking back.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit 3/7. Aonach air Chrith at 11:15am.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
The next two summits in sight as we continue westward with the sun on our backs.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Great view of Loch Quoich from the ridge.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit 4/7. Maol Chinn-dearg at 1pm.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Sgurr an Doire Leathain the next munro to aim for as the heat intensified.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Nearing the summit of Sgurr an Doire Leathain.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
A party of runners tackling the ridge and closing on us fast.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Looking towards Gleouraich to the south. Bagged him back in April 2018.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit selfie on munro 5/7 on the South Glen Shiel ridge. Sgurr an Doire Leathain at 2pm.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Next munro in sight and merely a stones throw away.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Definitely the best looking munro on the ridge. Sgurr an Lochain.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
A steeper climb on this munro requiring the first and last use of the arms for a small scramble.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Summit 6/7. Sgurr an Lochain at 3pm.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Reasonably quick descent of Sgurr an Lochain but we were running very low on water. The ridiculously hot day and physical exertion meant our 3 litres were almost gone. Thankfully we found a well placed stream of ice cool water to fill up on just before heading up Creag nan Damh.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Closing in on the final summit.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Munro 7/7 of the South Glen Shiel ridge. 4:30pm on Creag nan Damh
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Great view down towards Loch Duich from the last munro.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
Headed north off the last summit down to the A87. We were conscious about getting back to the road in time for the bus passing so we might hitch a ride back to our starting point.
The descent took us about 2hrs from the top as the path was quite steep and craggy. Coming down this way requires a river crossing on Shiel river. Thankfully the long dry weather meant the water was quite low making the crossing rather pain free.
Untitled by Matthew Thorburn, on Flickr
At 6:45pm we were back on the A87 and sitting at the layby waiting on the 7:30 bus. The 45 minute wait led us to chance our luck with passing cars for a free ride back to the Cluanie Inn. About 20 min of trying we were rewarded with a minibus stopping and luckily 3 spare seats. Massive thanks to the guys who gave us a lift back. Turned out they had already picked up 2 paragliders.
Great day out but I was in quite a bit of pain after that one. Huge effort to bag these munros and I was a complete **** forgetting to put sun cream on the back of my legs and heading west all day they got barbecued. Lesson learned the hard way.