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I was thinking I might complete the Forcan Ridge & Saddle, Sgurr na Sgine and the South Glen Shiel Ridge all in a wannie. Who was I kidding?!
I left work at the earliest chance on Friday – 12 noon but had to be home by early evening on Saturday. I dilly dallied on Friday night (which I don’t regret) and after a poor night’s sleep on the mountain found I just didn’t have the energy.
So here’s how it went…..
Set off from the lay-by at Achnagart about 4:15pm. Almost immediately super views started to open up – particularly up Glen Shiel and over to the Kintail ridge and the five sisters.
- Looking back up Glen Shiel
- The Kintail Ridge
- Faochag
My 1st try at the “panorama” function on my camera – 3 shots stitched together. Not sure I like it but here you are…..
I dawdled on and by 7pm I was only at the bottom of the ridge and already starting to think I should curtail my (overly) ambitious plans.
- About to start the ridge proper
But I plodded on. I made slow progress but had super fun – taking in most of the good scrambling & only occasionally having to take the easy route. My heavily laden rucksack made me a bit too cumbersome for some of the scrambling involved. I resolved in my head to come back another fine day with a minimalist pack.
- The way ahead
I eventually reached the top at just past 8PM and moved over to the trig point just beyond the summit.
- On the summit of The Saddle
- At the trig point on "The Saddle"
Mist and cloud started to move in from the north but it didn’t last long.
Looking south to the Knoydart area it seemed determinedly sunny and bright.
Almost 9pm now – time to set up my happy home.
- Fancy a brew?
- Just the most beautiful sight
- The Cuilin Ridge of Skye
Supper was to have been a delight - Spag Bol ( albeit reheated in a mess tin), cheese and biccies & a wee 175ml bottle of plonk.
Disappointment No 1: The wine was absolutely ghastly! Avoid Louis Felipe Edwards Merlot at all costs – it tastes like an industrial cleaning product. Yeuch!
However, the views made up for it as you can see…..
- Cheers
- Another "Panorama" view
- The Cuilin Ridge and sunset like wot I've never seen!
Disappointment No 2: My airbed either had a puncture or a faulty valve & in fact I slept (very badly) on hard ground.
Woke up at 4am needing a pee. But first got the camera out to take a snap of this.....
- Looking kinda south-ish. It's hard to tell in the dark.
The photo doesn’t really do it justice but it was wonderful sight.
The next thing to scupper my plans was this. I had fully expected to wake up naturally about 6am and be well on the road to the next mountain by 7 am at the latest. In fact after my 4am pee the next thing I knew it was 8:30! This was the sight which greeted me when I opened the tent…..
- Good morning world!
So I decided then to abandon the South Glen Shiel Ridge, do Sgurr na Sgine and call it a day. I made an unhurried start which gave the mist time to clear. The rest of the day turned out lovely. Here are the best of the photos from Sgurr na Sgine.
- Forcan Ridge & Saddle from summit of Sgurr na Sgine
Disappointment No 3: The spare camera batteries I’d installed at bed time ran out! Take a tip from me – don’t buy AA batteries at 12 in a pack from Poundland! No more pictures from here on in I'm afraid.
Three very minor dizzies in an otherwise phantasmagorical trip. This camping out on a mountain top to see the sunset is truly great – try it!
Yours sincerely,
A weary but very happy chappie.
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