Beinn Fhada. No Breeze - via the ridge!

[JimboJim]

Had been quite a while since doing a "new" Munro. Usual buddy, King Jasper having hellish back problems and a few other hiccups, like bad weather on Skye, spoiling a planned try at Sgurr nan Gillean and the In Pinn. Now I had the chance for an overnighter, but would the weather play ball? High winds forecast for the two days. Kintail looked dry-ish and as benign as anywhere. Fancied the idea of Beinn Fhada, then the Brothers Ridge the day after, if possible, so booked up the night at Ratagan Hostel.

Crags on the way up. Creag Coire an Sgairne, Faradh Nighean Fhearchair.

Looking back down Gleann Choinneachainn.

Set off from Morvich, following same route up Gleann Choinneachain, as when I did A'Ghlas-bheinn, but this time no snow, or having to skite across icy boulders, mid Allt a Choire Chaoil. A wee cairn indicates where to branch off the zig-zags for Coire an Sgairne, which isn't the worst corrie one will visit, with some massive crags and cornicing still evident here and there. Also, had to compliment the path builders who were grafting away here.

Rising into Coire an Sgairne.

Faradh Nighean Fhearchair. I didn't realise return would take me over the top.

By now the wind was starting to make itself felt and more so, once I emerged from the corrie onto the final haul toward the summit. Tried to tough it out at the trig point, but eventually had to put jacket on and sat in the shelter to refresh, after obligatory photo's.

Looking back across Coire Thuill Sgailceich, to the ridge.

Over to the Brothers and SGR, from the top.

And one of the Sisters, Ciste Dubh.

Can't tell just how windy it was from the pics.

Pondered next move for a while. Retreat by same route as advanced, or try the more tricky way down, via the Sgurr a Choire Ghairbh ridge? I was a bit wary, just being myself and not knowing exactly what to expect, except that I am not too clever with the exposed stuff. After usual faffing about, I decided to give it a try - back off, if I get too feart.

Looking down in Coire an Sgairne.

Start of the ridge, out to Loch Duich.

The bridge which crosses the outflow from the River Croe.

Quite nice walking round, looking into Coire an Sgairne, down to Morvich and over to the Five Sisters. Then it was onto the scrambly stuff. Nothing too tricky for a long stretch, wondering where/when the tricky bit comes - have I already passed it? No!

Some of the up and downity bits, of which there are loads :)

Morvich.

This will be the Bealach an t-Sealgaire (Hunter's Pass), then! Didn't look too bad from higher up, but once at the foot of the slabs, didn't look quite so easy, either! I stuck to the right ( looking at it,) of a largeish slabby bit. Was a wee bit sweaty, but made it ok. Looked like couple of other options too, but as stated, I wouldn't have liked to have tackled this on a wet day, going the opposite direction. (It may be possible to skirt round it all.)

Looking at the bad step/tricky bit.

And looking doon the bad step/tricky bit.

Back round the ridge. Summit of Beinn Fhada, in the distance.

Another view back.

Anyway, once over this bit, I thought the worst was past and in some respects it was, but the constant up and down over craggy rock continued for much longer than I liked. I made a few diversions West, thinking I could avoid this, by heading for Beinn Bhuidhe, but each time, I found the route was not feasible and frustratingly had to climb back up and keep heading north, nearly to the 757m spot, on Faradh Nighean Fhearchair. From there it was easier to pick the route, but still not much fun, as the long, stubbly, descent continued down to Innichro and back to the motor.

Main road.

Look back up beinn Bhuidhe. As can be seen, ground quite broken, especially higher up.

Morvich again.

"Are you mad?"

The bits you see from the road.

Quite a buzz having done it via the ridge, but it had been a tough day in the wind. Time for a pint once settled in the hostel at Ratagan? I found myself answering in the positive Took a bit of a drive round the locale. Visited Letterfearn, for an old friend.

The Five Sisters.

Evening pano from A'Ghlas-bheinn, round to Five Sisters.

And a late evening, different view of one of the most photographed attractions in Scotland. Not hard to guess which one :)

Later spent time deliberating what to do the next day? The forecast was showing even stronger winds gusting from 45-55mph. A bit too strong for my liking, but looked as if rain would just about hold off. Figured out plan for how to handle the transport issue of doing the Brothers with only one car, then dozed lightly for the night. What would the morning bring?

[Mal Grey]

Excellent stuff. Good description and excellent images.

Interesting to see the "bad step", as have pondered doing that route in the past. May or may not ever get round to it!

[JimboJim]

Excellent stuff. Good description and excellent images.

Interesting to see the "bad step", as have pondered doing that route in the past. May or may not ever get round to it!

Thank you, Mal. Usual drivel - from me! I don't think it would trouble you on a dry day. I see others have managed to bypass it below. I like to go round in a loop where possible, though wasn't so sure about this, being alone, however wasn't a big sweat. Jimmy

[BlackPanther]

Very useful report for us, so thank you for posting!

We have already been to Fhada a few times, once in winter conditions, but we haven't done the full ridge yet, and it's high on our priority list. The next WH Meet is in Ratagan Hostel in July, I think I've hatched a plan...

The bad step looks doable...ish Are there good foot/handholds in the rock? We did the "bad step" on Beinn Eighe last week (on the ridge between Sail Mhor and the Triple Buttress) and managed OK with that so hopefully this is similar and bypassing won't be necessary. Sometimes the bypass is more exposed than the scrambling bit

Cheers
BP

[JimboJim]

Very useful report for us, so thank you for posting!

We have already been to Fhada a few times, once in winter conditions, but we haven't done the full ridge yet, and it's high on our priority list. The next WH Meet is in Ratagan Hostel in July, I think I've hatched a plan...

The bad step looks doable...ish Are there good foot/handholds in the rock? We did the "bad step" on Beinn Eighe last week (on the ridge between Sail Mhor and the Triple Buttress) and managed OK with that so hopefully this is similar and bypassing won't be necessary. Sometimes the bypass is more exposed than the scrambling bit

Cheers
BP

Thank you, BP. Not been to Beinn Eighe yet, but am sure you would manage it no bother unless rock is wet, in which case it might be more tricky. Wouldn't say grips were great, but angle isn't too steep either. I wasn't convinced I went up easiest bit there. I don't think the bypass option would present too horrible exposure, but again, can't say without doing it

Defo one to consider for a bit of excitement, if other plans don't work out.

Jimmy

[BlackPanther]

Thanks again Looking at the extra photo, I think the bypass is more exposed than the direct approach. We'll definitely give the scramble a go but as you said, better to keep it for a dry day. Another adventure to look forward to, just hope weather this summer will be good.