Shiel Bridge, land of the midge to south shiel ridge

[jonny616]

So it was time for our summer epic. Left Glasgow friday afternoon & met up with friends at shiel bridge campsite. Lovely helpfull people. Weather awful, but this was of no concern next to our plight against the midge. OMG.

Up bright & not so sparky on saturday morning to a dry and fairly clear day. OMG more midges than the night before.

Set out from Clunie at about 07:30 having stratigicaly leaft two cars in diferent laybys so which ever way we came off we had transport back to clunie & campsite.

Followed the route as discribed on this great site, taking the gentler of the two options & almost circling Creag a Mhaim before ascending. After three hours we were at the top, where two guys who took the more direct route were resting there & had been there about 15mins, so no advantage time wise as we had seen them on the old road from the car.

The weather was good so we stopped to take in the scene for about 15mins which remaind the theme of the day. Stopping for that time on all peaks except Aonach air Chirth were we had a 30min lunch stop.

The narrowing ridge between Creag a Mhaim & Druim Shionnach is straight forward with no difficulty.

So 45mins to Druim Shionnach, then 1hr 45mins to Aonach air Chirth, 1hr to Maol Chinn-Dearg, 1hr to Sgurr Dorie Leathain, 45mins to Sgurr an Lochain & 1hr 45mins to Creag nan Damh.

Only shame weatherwise was that the clouds came in towards the end of the day so we did not get the views of Skye i hoped for.

Met a lovely couple who caught us up at Creag nan Damh, thanks for taking the pic, who descended with us to cadge a lift to there car.

Only thing i would add to the notes for people doing this walk is that almost as soon as you depart the summit of Creag nan Damh there is a steep drop & a tricky rock step that needs about three moves to get up. Then follow dry stone wall to the bealach & there is a cairn marking the decent path. Two & a half hours later tierd legs hit the road after two river crossings & OMG even more midges.

Its a fantastic walk & the sense of achievement at the end is huge.

Setting out from Clunie

First sight of Creag a Mhaim

Looking left on acent of Creag a Mhaim

Summit Creag a Mhaim

Narrowing ridge to Druim Shionnach

Looking back to Creag a Mhaim

Forward to Aonach air Chirth & Maol Chinn-Dearg

Summit Druim Shionnach

Stag on the ridge waiting for his ladies

Looking back from Aonach air Chirth

Forward from Aonach air Chirth

Summit of Aonach air Chirth

Summit of Maol Chinn-Dearg

Ridge from start to summit of Sgurr an Dorie Leathain

Summit of Sgurr an Lochain

Way ahead now in the cloud

Looking back to Sgurr an Lochain on ascent of Creag nan Damh

The whole squad on Creag nan Damh summit

[Alan S]

Good report jonny with some fantastic pictures

land of the midge to south shiel ridge

Couldnt agree more, we stopped at the cluanie for a few pints on friday and the midges were unreal and that was just walking to the car park

Its a fantastic walk & the sense of achievement at the end is huge.

I no what you mean its a great feeling when your back at the car.
I bet the legs were sore in the morning

[jonny616]

Hi Alan

The midges were at the worst on the road waiting for a lift back to the campsite.

Your right about the old legs there was a certain stiffness of the thighs, stairs were a challenge on sunday/monday.

Where were you headed from clunie.

[Graeme D]

Great report Jonny. I heartily concur - the Kintail midge fest is in full swing. Up there last week was as bad as I've experienced them anywhere, anytime.

[Alan S]

stairs were a challenge on sunday/monday

Yeh sometimes the dayafter the stairs are harder than the hillwalk

Where were you headed from clunie.

Was heading to Skye for the Inn Pinn we just stopped for a cola

Cheers
Alan

[jonny616]

stairs were a challenge on sunday/monday

Yeh sometimes the dayafter the stairs are harder than the hillwalk

Where were you headed from clunie.

Was heading to Skye for the Inn Pinn we just stopped for a cola

Cheers
Alan

Of cause saw your report. I bet you felt great. I need to go to sky next year or the one after, but need to go somewhere to learn to absail!