walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything


Postby The Rodmiester » Thu Jun 30, 2016 2:39 pm

Route description: The Ring of Steall, Mamores

Munros included on this walk: Am Bodach, An Gearanach, Sgùrr a' Mhàim, Stob Coire a' Chàirn

Date walked: 26/06/2016

Time taken: 8.75 hours

Distance: 16.2 km

Ascent: 1934m

5 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

The day had arrived, this was now the end of June and I had not set foot on a Munro, this was to change today as four were to be done, only time would tell if walking the so called lesser hills the Corbetts had kept me fit enough for this challenge. Well I can honestly say to you Munro baggers the answer is a great big YES. With ninety nine per cent of this walk you are on good paths with firm underfoot conditions, a couple of wee scrambles where poles would be better in the rucksack and the only muddy section today was the part beyond the Steall falls but once you start climbing its a dawdle. Superb views and great company how could you not enjoy! We had the use of two cars so had left one at the finish car park marked on the OS map just before the bridge crossing over the Nevis Water £3.00 to pay, for those reading you have the bonus of knowing that after crossing the Nevis Water there is another small parking area a few cars with NO CHARGE.

our_route.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

1.JPG
The two groups meet up at the start in the top of the Glen Car park
2.JPG
Maybe we should not go, it maybe too scary, Bring it on!
3.JPG
The first sighting of the Steall falls which we will cross later on
4.JPG
Compulsory photo shot with the Steall falls behind
5.JPG
Wire bridge over the Water of Nevis busy ahead
6.JPG
The adventure starts
6a.JPG
Next one over no mishaps so far, well there's still the photographer to go over
7.JPG
Below the Steall falls still to cross the very slippy rocks, care required if your to cross without a boot full of water
8.JPG
Happy to have crossed unscathed
9.JPG
Having negotiated the very wet boggy area beyong the falls we start climbing the Northern slopes of An Garbhanach, with Ben Nevis in the background
10.JPG
Higher up on the North slopes with more zig zags on the route
11.JPG
From the summit looking ahead towards the Munro top of An Garbhanach, Stob Coire a' Chairn (M) and Am Bodach (M)
12.JPG
The summit pose for the group of four, time 2.5hrs
14.JPG
Another summit pose with some food being consumed, well deserved after the initial climb
13.JPG
The route ahead
14a.JPG
A view looking up the Allt Coire a' Mhail
14b.JPG
Heading off towards the rocky summit of An Garbhanach where an easy exposed scramble awaits
14c.JPG
Finding a route
14d.JPG
Summit of An Garbhanach
14e.JPG
Summit ridge
15.JPG
Looking back towards the South ridge of An Garbhanach
16.JPG
Summit of Stob Coire a' Chairn
17.JPG
From the NE slopes of Am Bodach towards Stob Coire a' Chairn. It was about here that we were discussing if we were about halfway around the route and the word CAR was mentioned and that's what triggered someone to say, 'Ooooops I've left the keys in your car Rod', there was much laughter and further admissions of forgetfulness by all members of the party, mostly by yours truly
18.JPG
Group photo on Am Bodach summit 5.5hrs. LIMIT OF 25 PHOTOS REACHED MORE TO FOLLOW.
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby The Rodmiester » Thu Jun 30, 2016 2:45 pm

19.JPG
More well deserved snacks to keep you going
20.JPG
Approaching the summit of Sgurr an lubhair
21.JPG
View over to Stob Ban from the cairn
22.JPG
Heading down to the bealach before Stob a' Choire a' Mhail with Stob Ban in the distance looking impressive
23.JPG
The start of the Devils Ridge and time for the walking poles to be put away
24.JPG
Getting near to the wee scramble. We took the by pass to the left this time, probably the easiest
25.JPG
Robert appearing from the depths with Pauline about to drop down
26.JPG
The way ahead and the final climb to the highest Munroof the day Sgurr a' Mhaim
27.JPG
Wild flowers on the ridge
28.JPG
Looking back along the ridges we had come
29.JPG
The Sound of Music comes to mind with this photograph
30.JPG
On the final summit with the rain about to appear for the first time of the day
31.JPG
Heading down from the final Munro. This final descent takes a bit of time and really shakes the old legs and knees. Time for me to head off towards the road and let the others take their time descending. The road walk just short of two miles and mostly uphill had the feet stinging by the time I reached the car in about 25 mins. My reward was a bacon roll at the Nevis campsite the next morning, That tasted so good! Two new friends made, all in all a great weekend, bring on the next day walking the hills.
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby Naetroot » Thu Jun 30, 2016 3:24 pm

OK I confess.....I was that Ooooooo moment........Still a great day though.
Naetroot
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 2
Munros:168   
Islands:1
Joined: May 20, 2015

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby The Rodmiester » Thu Jun 30, 2016 9:13 pm

Naetroot wrote:OK I confess.....I was that Ooooooo moment........Still a great day though.


I take it you are referring to the wire bridge crossing. Hope you dried out by the time you had finished the round.
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby Naetroot » Thu Jun 30, 2016 9:34 pm

Lol no....I'm. Referring to the Car keys moment
Naetroot
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 2
Munros:168   
Islands:1
Joined: May 20, 2015

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby The Rodmiester » Thu Jun 30, 2016 9:45 pm

Naetroot wrote:Lol no....I'm. Referring to the Car keys moment


Lol right enough, bet there has been loads of instances where this has happened, at least here it's just a short walk, but long enough after a big day on the hill. We had a good laugh anyhow, I will not say about our other confessions when we ground out, lol.
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby Jaxter » Sat Jul 02, 2016 8:59 am

Eeek that river crossing looks terrifying!! :shock: :shock: Looks a fantastic walk though, thoroughly looking forward to doing it :D
User avatar
Jaxter
Wanderer
 
Posts: 1486
Munros:217   Corbetts:139
Fionas:90   Donalds:49+13
Sub 2000:129   Hewitts:69
Wainwrights:81   Islands:35
Joined: Aug 8, 2011
Location: Glasgow/Inverness

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby dogplodder » Sat Jul 02, 2016 8:10 pm

That was fabulous with photos to prove it! :D
User avatar
dogplodder
 
Posts: 4238
Munros:242   Corbetts:74
Fionas:25   
Sub 2000:32   Hewitts:4
Wainwrights:9   Islands:24
Joined: Jul 16, 2011

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby The Rodmiester » Sun Jul 03, 2016 8:08 am

Jaxter wrote:Eeek that river crossing looks terrifying!! :shock: :shock: Looks a fantastic walk though, thoroughly looking forward to doing it :D

Pick a good clear day and you will love it, I had forgotten how good it was:-D
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby The Rodmiester » Sun Jul 03, 2016 5:05 pm

dogplodder wrote:That was fabulous with photos to prove it! :D


Thank you dogplodder, a great day had by all. No photos from the first time I did it, Kodak film and all that, lol.
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby Silverhill » Sun Jul 03, 2016 7:35 pm

A grand walk, I look forward to doing it again at some point. Your pictures bring back happy memories. :D
I can't believe you had to wait for your reward, for getting the car, until the next morning. That is tough! :shock: :wink:
User avatar
Silverhill
 
Posts: 1360
Munros:282   Corbetts:27
Fionas:7   Donalds:42
Sub 2000:28   
Joined: Jan 13, 2013

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby Scotjamie » Sun Jul 03, 2016 8:48 pm

Just great Rod! :clap:
(and not a Corbett in sight)

I assume the Sound of Music was 'Delilah'
User avatar
Scotjamie
Wanderer
 
Posts: 1170
Munros:148   
Joined: Jul 27, 2009
Location: north berwick

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby The Rodmiester » Sun Jul 03, 2016 10:04 pm

Silverhill wrote:A grand walk, I look forward to doing it again at some point. Your pictures bring back happy memories. :D
I can't believe you had to wait for your reward, for getting the car, until the next morning. That is tough! :shock: :wink:


It's a hard life but the bacon roll was worth waiting for :wink:
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby The Rodmiester » Sun Jul 03, 2016 10:05 pm

Scotjamie wrote:Just great Rod! :clap:
(and not a Corbett in sight)

I assume the Sound of Music was 'Delilah'


It had to be Delilah, and to think there is to be no Delilah at Inchnadamph :(
User avatar
The Rodmiester
Walker
 
Posts: 3396
Munros:107   Corbetts:196
Fionas:45   Donalds:13
Sub 2000:76   Hewitts:3
Wainwrights:1   Islands:17
Joined: Aug 15, 2012
Location: Newbigging

Re: Ring of Steall, a walk with nearly everything

Postby pauline46 » Sat Jul 09, 2016 5:10 pm

Fantastic report Rod :D. It was a brilliant day can't wait to get out with you guys again
pauline46
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 4
Munros:282   Corbetts:16
Fionas:3   Donalds:2
Sub 2000:6   
Joined: Mar 9, 2015

5 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

Next



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 92 guests