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Date. Friday 22nd April 2011
Completed by. Dave, Julie and Wilson
Weather. Clear, sunny but windy on the Saddle, 2nd day poor
Time. 5.5 hrs + 13 hrs
Distance. 7.5 km + 28 km
Ascent. 1355 m + 1853 m
Hills.
Munro’s x 9
Corbett’s x 1
Grahams x 1
The Saddle,Sgurr Na Sgine,Creag Na Damh,Sgurr an Lochain,Sgurr an Doire Leathain,Maol Chinn Dearg,Aonach Air Chrith Druim Shionnach and Creag a Mhaim.
Sgurr a Bhac Chaolais
Biod an Fhithich
Starting from.
A87 roadside parking at NG 966 145
1st day of the holidays and we decide on completing the Saddle via the Forcan ridge. The weather predictions are all favourable, sunny with light winds. Seemed like the ideal conditions…
We make for the Bealach at the foot of the Greame Biod an Fhithich. The 600m climb had the 3 of us breathing hard right from the start, but once on the Bealach it was easy going to our first summit. From the summit we could see our next mission “ The forcan Ridge” The ridge that would lead us to The Saddle.
- looking down Glen Shiel
- Wilson heading for the Bealach
- Wilson topped out on Biod an Fhithich
- The Forcan ridge
- Looking back to Biod an Fhithich
By the time we reached the start point of the ridge at approx 6pm there was a change in the wind speed. Nothing to serious, but you certainly new it was there, and as we progressed along it became more prominent. Decided to remove Wilsons Bac-Pac to give him more freedom, this also removed the risk of it snagging and possibly affecting his balance.
I personally felt the ridge was very demanding. Total concentration was needed at all times, and with the wind speed picking up considerably we contemplated more than once about turning back. Three or four times we were pinned down and had to wait for the wind to drop before making our next move. But with time and care we were progressing well, I really felt that we were nearly there… Until I looked over what would probably have been the last Pinnacle.
We would have most likely, have had to down climb that part. That was not an option with Wilson. Decided to drop of the steep south side, down to the dry stane dyke and then climb back up to the ridge at the other side of that (nasty pinnacle). Then from there we carried on across the ridge to the summit. Phewww.
- resting on the Forcan ridge
- Biod an Fhithich
- Looking back along the Forcan ridge
- Looking west from The Saddle
- our descent from the ridge
- Looking back to The Saddle.
We had spent a lot of time on the Forcan ridge. There was no way now that we would have time to Bag Sgurr Na Sgine. So we decide to head back along the ridge and drop back down to the dry stane dyke and head for the bealach.
Tomorrow was now going to be a much tougher day than planned…
Had an awful nights sleep, wind and rain was out of control, but at least our wee Banshee held strong and kept us dry.
We were on our way just after 6am. Thick mist, wind and heavy drizzle. No views what so ever. This was going to be a very long day.
Not much to say about our walk along the South Shiel Ridge apart from it being fairly miserable with no views at all. Well nearly none, once we reached Druim Shionnach we did get a bit of sun making an appearance.
- The first of the sun
- final munro clearing.
- final Munro clear. typical !
A note on Sgurr Na Sgine…. In bad visibility, when descending keep more SSW. We came across some very steep terrain when descending. When we reached safer lower ground the mist lifted for a moment, leaving us views of what we had contoured round. Looked like it was very steep crags. The OS map does not seem to show this type of terrain. Or was I imagining it with my short/limited view when the mist momentarily lifted!!