Getting a Forcan walk in before the Forcan storm hit

[PeteR]

So, this was to be my first WH meet A chance to put some faces to names......not that I'm that good with faces or names Chuck in some WH monikers and I'm well confused Thankfully I knew that I was joined on this walk by jupe1407, Sunny Speyside and the Bald Falcon

jupe1407 has already posted an excellent report describing the day, so I'm going to cut the words down and just stick to posting some photos instead - struggled to cut them down to the requisite 25, but I hope the ones I have short-listed capture what has to be one of the very best days on the hills so far

The Forcan Ridge peeking out at the start of the day

Pano of the ridge

The five sisters

The start of the ridge proper

Bald Falcon striking a pose on the ridge

Looking back down the ridge

Toward Loch Duich

For the most part the ridge was straightforward. The clag that was hanging around didn't in any way detract from the enjoyment of the day. If anything it added to the atmosphere of the day

Arriving at Sgurr Na Forcan, with the 10m down-scramble, and I was more than happy to chance my arm with the bypass path Bald Falcon, however, was much braver and successfully completed the drop

jupe1407 dropping down the bypass path

Looking back up the 10 m drop

A bit more pleasant scrambling followed

A short stretch of the Forcan Ridge

Eventually though I was all scrambled out, and when we arrived at one final razor like section of scrambling I was already on my way down the bypass path as the Bald Falcon and jupe1407 discussed the way across.

This did give me a chance to take a couple of shots which I believe jupe 1407 may have some time explaining to his girlfriend

Bald Falcon and jupe1407 heading across the knife edge

And another

Then it was just a short walk to the summit cairn

The final push

Although we'd had clag on the way up the ridge and on the actual summit, everything changed on the second top The sun came out and we were all blessed with fantastic views

Summit view (well, from the trig point top)

View back to the summit

After a short stay at the trig top it was time to go and visit the poor relation - Sgurr na Sgine

Poor Sgurr na Sgine It's hard to take any notice of it when you have views like this to your left

The Forcan Ridge on the way across to Sgurr na Sgine

Pano of the Ridge

That good old Forcan ridge

Eventually I did pay some attention to the next target of the day

Sgurr na Sgine.......at last

But not for long

Sorry, but I couldn't resist another Forcan photo

Heading up the final pull to Sgurr na Sgine's many false summits

An early view of the purgatory that would be out descent rout......Faochag

Not much to see on Sgurr na Sgine, as the clag was back

Now it was just the pleasant walk along Faochag before the knee crunching, leg aching, pleasure sapping, conversation stopping descent of its ridge And by about half way down my left knee was gubbed

Forcan Ridge from Faochag

Bald Falcon was a bit cruel toward the end, as he waited at the final river crossing with his camera ready to capture any of us taking a dip Luckily none of us obliged though

If I could have I'd have got on my knees and kissed the tarmac by the we arrived back at the road. I wasn't sure I'd have got back up though

Forcan Faochag from back at the car

Big thanks to jupe 1407, Sunny Speyside and Bald Falcon for a great day on the hills

I thought I'd finish off with an early Friday evening shot from Sligachan, taken before the four horsemen saddled up their trusty steeds ready for a night and day of "entertaining" weather

The calm before the storm

[Bod]

Great report Pete, a cracking day out. ...we were loooking across your way from further up Glen Sheil. Will try and get my report up too tomorrow.

Lovely to meet you after all this time, the weekend was great fun

[Meatball]

Happy days!

[davetherave]

Some fabulous pictures PeteR. We got high wind at times when we done the ridge that made me feel slightly uneasy at times. That and including the dogs made our trip slightly hairy at times.

Would like to think that next time ill try that 10m drop!

Thanks again. Dave.

[ChrisW]

Great report Pete and beautiful pics throughout, how's the left knee now?? ok I hope

[Johnny Corbett]

Another cracking report Pete and good photos of the ridge and all the scrambly points. Even though i've done it i don't recognize bits of it so good to see what they looked like.

[The Rodmiester]

Some great photographs there Pete, love the knife edge walk and the classical Cuillin one at the end. Deffinately a wild camper now! A very productive weekend, and nice to have met you

[jupe1407]

Excellent report and pics Pete

My other half especially likes the knife-edge ones

[pigeon]

That looked a good day Pete,shame about the rest of your weekend Still always good to meet a few new folks

[simon-b]

A superb round, Pete. The ascent via the Forcan may be the highlight, but I have to agree with Jupe that Sgurr na Sgine is also a nice mountain; especially the view from the summit.

[rockhopper]

Very nice, Pete and some cracking clear photos of the ridge Shame about the rest of the weekend but this looks like it could've more than made up for it - cheers

[PeteR]

Great report Pete, a cracking day out. ...we were loooking across your way from further up Glen Sheil. Will try and get my report up too tomorrow.

Lovely to meet you after all this time, the weekend was great fun

Thanks Bod Got to be one of my top 5 walks so far

Despite the weather on Saturday I enjoyed meeting some fellow walkhighlanders at the meet I really should have got up to the bunkhouse a bit more over the weekend, but I was going nowhere in that rain on Saturday

[PeteR]

Happy days!

You're not wrong

[PeteR]

Some fabulous pictures PeteR. We got high wind at times when we done the ridge that made me feel slightly uneasy at times. That and including the dogs made our trip slightly hairy at times.

Would like to think that next time ill try that 10m drop!

Thanks again. Dave.

Cheers Dave

You did well getting dogs up that ridge

Don't think I'd necessarily try the 10m drop though if/when I return

[PeteR]

Great report Pete and beautiful pics throughout, how's the left knee now?? ok I hope

Thanks Chris

Knee's not exactly mended, but then again I did Bla Bheinn on the Sunday They both have two weekends off now though, as I have my boys up staying with me and I don't think I'll e etting them up any hills soon.......although I live in hope