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Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan


Postby lomondwalkers » Wed Mar 28, 2012 2:52 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: 27/03/2012

Time taken: 6.5 hours

Distance: 15.5 km

Ascent: 1326m

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With the weather this week being nothing short of awesome, I wanted to get a cracking ridge walk done. I'd downed a few bravery pills and was considering the Aonach Eagach, but their effects soon wore off as I would be going solo today, and so on I drove to Ballachulish with Beinn a'Bheithir my target. I parked at the tourist information centre and made my way along the road and through the gate just after the school following the path through the field. Started making my way up the steep pathless lower slopes with The Pap revealing itself and the Eastern top of Sgorr Bhan looking fine in the sunshine 8)
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Over Ballachulish to The Pap
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Sgorr Bhan


Eventually I reached a fence which had to be climbed and soon after that I met the path that takes you onto the ridge. The views were starting to really open up now, though very hazy, with Sgorr nam Fiannaidh revealing itself to the East, and the Ballachulish Bridge to my West
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Pap & Sgorr nam Fiannaidh
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Ballachulish Bridge


Once onto the ridge, this is a fine walk on a good path, with Bidean revealing itself through the haze across from the Aonach Eagach, and also fine views of my first Munro of the day, Sgorr Dhearg, with some snow still hanging on for dear life, and a great view below to Ballachulish & Loch Leven.
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Western AE & Bidean
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Sgorr Dhearg
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Towards summit of Sgorr Bhan
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Ballachulish & Loch Leven


The ridge now narrows towards the summit of Sgorr Bhan, and what a fine summit it is, with the beautiful curving ridge to Sgorr Dhearg in fine view. I stopped here for a while to stock up on food and water, then carefully descended the scree path before starting my ascent up this fine graceful ridge, which gave great views back to Sgorr Bhan. Once on the summit, I got my first view of the slightly intimidating looking Sgorr Dhonuill.
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Narrow to summit of Sgorr Bhan
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That beautiful ridge
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Back to Sgorr Bhan
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and again over the last of the snow cornice

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Muggins on Sgorr Dhearg
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Sgorr Dhonuill


I made my way to the Bealach at 767m and took on some more fluids before dumping the rucksack and heading up the steep slopes of Sgorr Dhonuill, grassy at first, giving way to more rockier ground. The final push to the summit looked tricky even from close quarters and stays right on the edge, but at no time did I feel in any danger, and it was good fun clambering over the boulders to the summit, where unfortunately the views were limited because of the haze.
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Looks worse than it is
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Looking down
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Not my bud bottle!!!
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Back to Sgurr Dhearg


I made my descent carefully down the boulders/rocks and eventually to the Bealach, where there is a fairly boggy descent path that leads to a good stepping stone descent through the forest, crossing over the first landrover track, then taking a right at the second one, eventually leading you to the a82, where there is a pavement leading you back to Ballachullish.

I loved this walk, it's up there as one of my best so far, and in clearer air, the views must be breathtaking 8) I now must mind and pack the suncream in future as I ended up with my first ever March sunburn :lol: Here's hoping the weather holds out for all the gang in Kintail 8)
Last edited by lomondwalkers on Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:29 pm, edited 3 times in total.
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lomondwalkers
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby lomondwalkers » Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:07 pm

A couple of panos I attempted, Loch Leven & a Bookil sunset....
Loch Leven.jpg
Bookil.jpg
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby Bod » Fri Mar 30, 2012 12:19 pm

Great report, love these mountains :D :D :D
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby SusieThePensioner » Fri Mar 30, 2012 1:35 pm

What a great day for walking, Dave! You've some fantastic views in your photos and love the look of that ridge :D

Particularly like the two panoramas :thumbup: Great report!!
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby yokehead » Fri Mar 30, 2012 10:20 pm

Nicely done and great photos, these are wonderful hills with plenty to offer. :D

Worth going there in winter to see what must be one of the most beautiful cornice curves in Scotland - very sexy I thought!
bb8.jpg
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby rockhopper » Sun Apr 01, 2012 10:55 am

Cracking stuff and a great day for it - certainly a nice walk and you do get great views - cheers :D
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby tamw51 » Sun Apr 01, 2012 11:45 am

Very very nice, looks like a cracking day, got thes on the cards soon, good to see! :D
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby lomondwalkers » Sun Apr 01, 2012 1:48 pm

Bod wrote:Great report, love these mountains :D :D :D


Cheers Bod, a couple of crackers these 2 :D

SusieThePensioner wrote:What a great day for walking, Dave! You've some fantastic views in your photos and love the look of that ridge :D

Particularly like the two panoramas :thumbup: Great report!!


Was definitely a day to remember Susie, the ridge was stunning, even better in Yokeheads photo below 8)

yokehead wrote:Nicely done and great photos, these are wonderful hills with plenty to offer. :D

Worth going there in winter to see what must be one of the most beautiful cornice curves in Scotland - very sexy I thought


Wow!!!!!!! Sexy indeed Yokehead!!!! Stunning, thanks for posting that :D :D

rockhopper wrote:Cracking stuff and a great day for it - certainly a nice walk and you do get great views - cheers :D


One of my best days on the hills, just a pity about the haze as the views of the Mamores must be stunning too

tamw51 wrote:Very very nice, looks like a cracking day, got thes on the cards soon, good to see! :D


Keep them for a cracker of a day Tam, you wouldn't want to miss those views 8)
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby pollyh33 » Sun Apr 01, 2012 9:31 pm

Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful! :clap: :clap: :clap:

A fantastic report Dave :thumbup:

I loved these two as well but my photies are keech compared to yours!!!! :lol:


PS Nice shorts :wink: :wink:
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby lomondwalkers » Mon Apr 02, 2012 2:47 pm

Cheers Polly Pocket! Nice shorts, shame aboot the pipe cleaners :lol:
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Re: Beinn a'Bheithir via Sgorr Bhan

Postby pollyh33 » Mon Apr 02, 2012 3:22 pm

lomondwalkers wrote:Cheers Polly Pocket! Nice shorts, shame aboot the pipe cleaners :lol:



Ooooooh I used to love them at school!!! :D
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