Parked at GR 973138 on the A87. Got out at first light and headed up towards Sgurr a Bhac Chaolais. Climbed steeply in shadow up to Bealach Duibh Leac. Had to get crampons on less than 10m from the top - physically could not progress without them as there was ice under the snow. Kept them on all day as it happened as the tops and ridge line were wind scoured and icy.
Great feeling to break into sun and big views S. Ridge v broad and safe compared to Forcan yesterday.
.918 Creag nan Damh had a bit of an exposed notch beyond it and again later on the ridge there was a notch to down climb. Other than that it was a non-tech walk.
Had lunch on Sgurr an Doire Leathain on which my path converged with 2 men and a dog. We sat together on the surprisingly windless summit and looked at the world.
The afternoon was great. The ridge just kept going and going and so did I. I began to realise that it was possible. I stopped looking at escape routes and understood that the ridge would end before I did. And so it did, as afternoon sun became evening sun and then I dropped into cold shadow. The descent was dreamy - perfect snow conditions and angle and I was able to fly down, huge loping strides. In flow.
Crampons off at the estate road and 5 or 6 km walk back to the Cluanie side. A k or two from the end a low loader offer me a lift and I jumped on at the back with JCB. It was like a magic carpet ride. The perfect end to the perfect day. That and Caledonian ale and food at the Inn.
Area :
Loch Eil to Glen Shiel
The Great Glen to the east, the A87 to the north and the A830 to the south separate this area from its surroundings and enclose an area of high mountains and low glens. The highest mountain is Sgurr na Ciche (1040m) and further north the South Glen Shiel Ridge is formed by a whopping seven Munros! Also in the area is The Saddle (1010m) which is home to the classic Forcan Ridge. Peaks in the mountains list are all above 900m.
