The Forcan Ridge and the Saddle; Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich
The Forcan Ridge, The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine
In the event four of us headed out to the Ridge, in some infelicitous drizzle, with a forecast threatening yellow thunderstorms. Nothing daunted, we left the cars at 9:45 and followed the good stalker’s path up to the col between Biod an Fhithich and Meallan Odhar. We paused at the col to allow some of us a wee snack stop in an increasingly dry climate, although Martyn tried to jinx the whole day by pointing out the small patch of blue sky. The path continues clearly to travers Meallan Odhar, and we reached the bottom of the scrambling around 2 hours from the car. The side path to avoid the ridge entirely is marked by a small cairn and a very obvious ruined drystone dyke.
Martyn headed off up the ridge, picking out the most interesting scrambles – all of which can be avoided by a very evident side path. We followed happily, with Helen regaining confidence as she recalled her scrambling skills. We up- and down-scrambled Grade 1s as the day brightened. We finally arrived at the most difficult part of the route, the downclimb. We sent Martyn – the only gentleman in the group – down first to check it out for we ladies. Certainly not a descent for the fainthearted, and the diversions were on steep rough ground. We toiled up the final slopes for a well-deserved lunch at 1pm, having taken 2 hours on the scramble, and enjoyed hazy and mystic views over the Five Sisters of Kintail, Beinn Fhada, the Affric hills, and Knoydart.
The second summit was a steep descent then almost an hour’s pull up to the most distant of the two tops, with more malingering, eating, and admiring the view. We had a few scattered very heavy drops of rain, but after Martyn put on his waterproofs these disappeared. Then an enjoyable stroll along the ridge to Faochag, where we disturbed a mummy Ptramigan and her four little chicks – a life first for all of us and a real highlight. As promised, the descent was long and steep on a rough path, and we were all glad to get back to the road at 6:15.
Taking part: Hazel, Helen, Emma and Martyn
Words: Hazel
Photos: Helen, Hazel and Martyn
Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich
Four of us, May, Tim D. Arthur and new prospective member, Tim S. with Beinn, the border collie met up to climb Sgurr a’ Mhaoriach by the side of Loch Cuaich.
A mass of flowering rhododendrons flanking both sides of the narrow single track road on the north side of Loch Cuaich as we neared the starting point for Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich. The rhododendrons are probably a legacy from Glen Quoich Lodge which was submerged along with its surrounding homes, school and post office in 1955 when Loch Quoich and Loch Garry were dammed as part of the Glen Garry hydro scheme.
We took the fine stalkers path to Sgurr Coire nan Eiricheallach - again a legacy from the time when Glen Quoich Lodge was in its heyday and an extensive network of stalkers paths was constructed on the hills around Loch Cuaich. We continued along the undulating ridge to Sgurr a’ Mhaoraich with the fine rock scenery of Coire a Chaorainn unfolding as we progressed. An intermittent wall attempted to keep sheep away from the craggy north face of the ridge.
Tim S. was keen to pick off the Munro Top of Sgurr a Mhaoraich Beag west of the Munro. This gave us the bonus of fine views down Loch Hourn and a panorama from the Knoydart hills round to the South Glen Shiel ridge. It was just a little bit too hazy to allow us to pick out Hazel and the gang on the Forcan Ridge.
We traversed steeply down to the Bealach Coire a’ Chaorainn and then steeply up again to Am Bàthaich summit (899m), which disappointingly for Tim S. has the status of a deleted Munro Top. It is now a more modest Corbett Top.
We wandered down the east ridge towards Alltbeithe picking up another fine (but a bit overgrown) stalkers paths. Our eyes were drawn towards the rough airstrip at Alltbeithe, built and used by the owner - although it now appears to be disused. That has now been joined by the seemingly inevitable network of tracks and powerhouses for two run of the river hydro schemes on the River Quoich and its tributaries.
We were grateful, however, for the easy walking on the track back to the bridge over the north extension of Loch Cuaich where we were parked. This had been a fine day on a grand hill with a super walk round the dramatic Coire a’ Chaorainn.
Taking part: May, Arthur, Tim D. and new prospective member Tim S. and dog Beinn
Words: Arthur
Photos: May and Arthur
