7 for 7 at 7 on South Glen Shiel Ridge

[Sunny Speyside]

Setting off from Fochabers on Saturday at silly o'clock in the morning, I arrived Loch Cluanie just as the group of 6 happy campers from Walkhighlands were finishing breakfast and after dropping a couple of vehicles at the finish line and returning to Cluanie we set off at 7am on what was to be a fine ridge walk.

Dawn over Loch Cluanie

Our group of 7 were, Gary,Gavin, Moray, Dorata, Jim, myself and Dave (the official photographer)

Heading off along the excellent track

We took the private road heading SE for a couple of miles with beautiful views of the breaking dawn and on the waters edge a herd of deer silhouetted against the flat calm of the loch.
Leaving the road we made our way up onto the ridge by the zig-zag stalkers path as height was gained the views across Lochaber opened up

Lochaber

Sunshine breaks through

It was to be a day of mixed weather, with some heavy showers, some clag on a couple of summits but best of all a measure of sunshine along with the visibility to allow for jaw dropping vistas. After about 2 hours we reached our first summit of the day Creag A'Mhaim, where we were joined briefly by Thelma and Louise, two spritely mountain goats who after a quick touch of the cairn and a muesli bar were OFF !! Only to be seen again in the far distance as a couple of dots on the horizon. Of course I might have been able to see them more clearly if I had 'laser' vision - in fact if Jim were to be believed, I would have been able to see what they had in their sandwiches from two miles off

7 on summit 1

The ridge ahead

The path along the ridge is really very clear and with the sun dipping in and out there were many photo opportunities

The approach to summit no. 2

Druim Shionnach Summit Cairn + Dave

I think it was here on summit No 2 that I was volunteered to write the WH report - I must have been suffering from altitude sickness to have agreed or perhaps I was just ensuring that they would get me along the scary bits in one piece

Along the ridge to Aonach air Chrith

Looking back towards Cluanie Inn

Unfortunately Dorata was feeling a bit poorly and decided at this point to head down and make her way back to Cluanie .

Dorata bids farewell

And then we were six..............
With a quick look back along the ridge we were off again onto no. 3 of the day just 3 km away

Looking back at No 1 and No 2

The approach to Aonach air Chrith

Aonach air Chrith at 1021m is the highest on the ridge and a big one for me as I clocked up 50 munros. When I climbed my first Munro last year I had a target in my head of doing 20 - so I guess I must have caught the Bug along the way

Yeah!! half century

Coming down from this summit there is a narrow rocky section which I found a little tricky but fortunately the clag had moved in so I couldn't see over the edge clearly - whew !

Gary checking out the scrambly bits

When the clag again lifted the views south were lovely looking down to Glen Quoich and the loch beyond.

Loch Quoich

The path again widened out and became more grassy and we were soon on No 4 summit, Maol Chinn-dearg

Maol Chinn-dearg summit

Looking towards Sgurr Coire na Feinne

At this point no 5 Sgurr an Doire Leathain was in the cloud and unfortunately remained that way so we had little views from this summit however not much further along the ridge the sky cleared once more and the northern side of the Glen was once more in view,

Brothers and Sisters to the North

and looking west

Looking west to Saddle and Forcan Ridge

Along Glen Shiel to Loch Duich

The fine peak of Sgurr an Lochan was our 6th munro of day and from the summit there were views to take your breath away - simply stunning

Soaking up the views on summit no 6

Back along the ridge

The day was moving on and with weary legs we descended to the bealach by way of the bypass path - for fellow vertigo sufferers I would recommend going up and over Sgurr Beag (a minor peak) as the bypass path was long and far from enjoyable
The final climb up to No 7 Creag nan Damh was easier than I had expected and it was such a great relief to reached our final summit of the day.

Skye and Lochalsh

No. 7 the final summit

Six happy hillwalkers, all smiles now, though that would soon change as the long, long, long descent began
While perhaps not as bad as the path down from its near neighbour Faochag I was struggling by the end and about 1/4 mile from the road when I felt I had finally made it onto level ground I slipped and ended up sitting in the mud Well that was a first - arriving back at the cars on the road side Dave provided me with a plastic bag to protect the car seat ... what a gent
It was a tough but brilliant day, my thanks to Gary (backpacker) for organising, to Moray and Jim for seeing me safely over the 'spikey' bits and to Dave for not photographing the look of sheer terror that must have been on my face at various times throughout the day.
Cheers guys

[davetherave]

So glad you got some decent views. All I remember about this ridge was the cloud and rain.

The following day we went to skye and climbed Blaven, we then returned to the mainland and completed the North ridge in glorious sunshine.

Congratulations on the 50 milestone.

[hutchy1]

a cracking report unfortunately I had arranged a few days of for the week before this meet so I did the same ridge a week earlier reaching my 50 on the last peak there must be something about this ridge because I met 2 others hitting 50 and 1 reaching his 100 glad you had a good day

[Sunny Speyside]

there must be something about this ridge because I met 2 others hitting 50 and 1 reaching his 100 glad you had a good day

Thanks Hutchy1 - I expect so many reach milestones on this ridge just because of the number of munros along it - of our party of seven , Gray chalked up his 40th, Moray his 20th and Jim his 60th

[Backpacker]

Great report Eve, definitely one to go back for at a later date.

I'm glad Dave pushed on at the end, there's no pics of me falling in the river right at the end

[The Rodmiester]

Hi again Eve! great report and wonderful photographs especially like the first one Good effort all concerned and congratulations on reaching the half ton

[Lightfoot2017]

NIce report and STUNNING first photo.

Well done on ramping up your total so far in such a short time!

[Sunny Speyside]

Thanks all - glad you enjoyed the report. I can't take credit for the photos though as these were all kindly supplied by David-Main.
Lightfoot - it was a glorious sunrise, a portent of the day to come

[kevsbald]

Well done Evie,

some lovely photos there.

Kevin

[Doghouse103]

A great report Eve on a fantastic ridge walk with great company and being honest you weren't the only one that fell in the mud Next challenge Brothers & Sisters across the road?

[David-Main]

Great report Evie, sums up the day we had and great to meet many new friends. Thanks for compiling the report your an angel.
Yes Jim we could all do the brothers and sisters

[Backpacker]

Jim, Dave definitely, I'm thinking a long weekend for those

[Doghouse103]

Hi Garry what are we all doing 12th&13th of October? My first available weekend after I come home?

[Backpacker]

Hi Jim,

I've nothing lined up yet but I'm hoping that's my half ton weekend

[Sunny Speyside]

brothers and sisters eh ? I will need to check out the contours and get back to you on that one!
cheers
Evie