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This was a day of 2 contrasting halves, or rather contrasting 3 quarters and 1 quarter. A thoroughly enjoyable ascent and walk along the ridge, ending the day with a soul sucking descent
We started the day depositing one car at the Glen Shiel battle site, then taking the second car to start the walk where we had left off last time. The first half of the ridge had been enjoyable enough, but very overcast, giving us virtually no views for the first 4 peaks. We were hopeful as we started ascending towards the 5th peak on the ridge that this day would afford us better visibility.
We skirted up round the corrie to Sgurr an Doire Leathain, enjoying good views towards Glenfinnan and the huge hulk of Ladhar Beinn in Knoydart just visible in the background. The forecast had not been great and we got a few drenching as bands of rain came in, but these were short lived and we quickly dried off in the wind.
Quickly reaching Sgurr an Lochan we then opted to take what Dave called a 'baggers path', skirting round the side of Sgurr Beag, to get more quickly to the final peak of Creag nan Damh
From here, rather than follow the WH route, we had decided to follow the route down the ridge to the NW, descending to a plantation opposite the Glen Shiel battle site where we had left the car, a routed described in the SMC Munros book. With the benefit of hindsight, this was a mistake. It is horrible, steep boggy, unforgiving route. We could have probably descending via the WH route and walked back to the car along the main road in less time. After negotiating the forestry in near dark, we finally reached the car with a sense of relief. Phrases like 'character building' were some of the more charitable one thrown about!
