Ring of Steall + 2 + traffic.

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The Ring of Steall. With a name like that, you expect it to be something out of the ordinary, and it didn't disappoint. The only downside was the Skyline Scotland Mamores race was on today as well, which meant we had to regularly give way to fell runners, at least until we left Am Bodach. On the plus side, to watch these athletes hurtling up and down these hills was pretty impressive .We parked near Achriabhach and were soon underway on a nice sunny morning. Sort of followed the Water of Nevis until we came across the wire bridge, which was easily negotiated, before we readied ourselves for the first ascent of the day, An Gearanach.

Steall Falls.

There was quite a few people out already, who turned out to be supporters of the runners. A decent zig-zag path leads you up until you reach the ridge for An Gearanach.

The Ben & CMD.

There was lovely views to the North all the way up here, and we stopped to check them out regularly

Aonach Beag to Sgurr Choinnich Mor.

Sgurr an Iubhair to Sgurr a' Mhaim.

Once on the ridge, The Grey Corries & other Mamore hills come in to view. It is a 360 hill heaven

Binnein Beag & Binnein Mor.

Runners, like ants, across Stob Choire a' Mhail.

Red markers on the path made it easy to route find and we were soon on our first summit.

An Gearanach summit.

Next, you make for Stob Coire a' Chairn, via An Garbhanach. With not much in the way of descent and ascent, we were soon on SCaC.

Looking back to An Gearanach.

Stob Coire a' Chairn summit.

After a short break, we got amongst the runners and headed for Am Bodach. Due to the frequency of giving way to the runners, it took us an hour to reach the top.

Am Bodach approach.

On reaching the summit, we were greeted by a piper, who was playing cheerleader for the race. One other noticeable thing here, was the strengthening wind, which would stay with us until we left the last Munro.

View from Am Bodach to Grey Corries.

Am Bodach summit.

Fortunately, the drop down to the bealach isnt too bad, unfortunately, you have to traverse 2 Munro Tops & The Devil's Ridge to get to Sgurr a' Mhaim

Stob Ban & Mullach beyond Sgurr an Iubhair.

The Devil's Ridge leading to Sgurr a' Mhaim.

There was no real difficulty crossing the Ridge, though the wind was howling through. Before long, we were at the highest point of the day, Sgurr a' Mhaim.

Sgurr a' Mhaim summit.

The views from here are immense, and today was the perfect day for taking it all in.

The Ben, CMD & Aonachs.

Most of the Mamore mountains.

After re-tracing our steps, we took the by-pass path down to Lochan Coire nam Miseach, where we took a break & replenished our water. It was lovely out of the wind and so we stayed a bit longer than anticipated Eventually we had to move on, with the last big climb of the day to contend with.

Sgurr a' Mhaim & Devil's Ridge.

Having been on the go since setting off at 3 this morning, it was a bit of a slog up the scree here, but, unbowed, we plodded on, hitting the summit at @ 5.30pm.

Stob Ban summit.

Binnein Mor dominates the Mamores, Lochan Coire nam Miseach down to the right.

With time getting on, and the thought of a pint in the hotel, we didn't dwell here long. It's quite easy going over the 3km between Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean and it only took 45 minutes, though as usual, there is a Munro Top to negotiate, Mullach nan Coirean SE Top.

Sgurr a' Mhaim, MnC SE Top & Stob Ban.

Eventually though, we hit our last Munro of the day, with the sun starting to set.

Mullach nan Coirean summit.

All that was left was to negotiate our way back to the car, in fading light. By the time we entered the forest near Allt a' Choire Riabhaich it was quite dark, though there is a sort of path that leads to the forestry track, and back to Achriabhach. An absolutely superb day out, up there with the best of days