Shiel Ridge

1980 2nd Trip  Shiel Ridge.
Malcolm.
12 Munroes + 4 Tops.  38 1/2 miles  17100ft.
June 7th to 10th
Less than 4 weeks after our first trip we were back again with the intention this time of attempting the South Shiel Ridge.
I note that in the short intervening period we had had a family trip to the Rainhill 150 year anniversary trials (Steam locos), spent a week caravanning in Yorkshire at Flamingo Park Zoo, started work on the garden summerhouse at 605, and that Marjorie had then spent 3 days in London with Hazel whilst Malcolm stayed over at 605.

June 7th.1980
Malcolm.
Two Munros and 1 top.
An Caisteal.  Beinn a'Chroin. (South of Crianlarich)
Again up Lomondside, but this time parking short of Crianlarich at Derrydaroch to tackle An Caisteal by way of Stob Ghlas.  The climb started with blue sky and no wind. It was warm.  It was here we observed a phenonomon I have not seen since.  A thin mist rose from a small grassy hollow, and as it rose it took on more and more substance.  By the time it had risen 100ft or so it was several metres wide, and it trailed away for over a mile, developing into a cloud as it did so.
From An Caisteal we continued onto Beinn a'Chroin then dropped down to follow the River Falloch back to the road.  By now it was pouring with rain.
That night we stayed in Fort William at the Nevis Bank Hotel, where I purchased an oil painting of Glencoe.

June 8th 1980
Malcolm.
Seven Munros.
Creag a' Mhaim.  Druim Shionnach.  Aonach air Chrith.  Maol Chinn-dearg.  Sgurr an Doire Leathain.  Sgurr an Lochain.  Creag nan Damh. (South Shiel Ridge).
Early morning saw us parking by the Cluanie Inn.  Taking the track across the end of the Loch for a mile, to a bend, we then ascended Creag a Mhaim the first of the 7 Munroes making up the South Shiel Ridge.  This was bagging in fine style.  7 in a day is as good as it gets.  The day was showery but we still enjoyed good views from time to time.  One difficulty with this ridge is that you end up a long way from your start point, but today we were lucky enough to get a lift from a French family who deposited us back at the Inn. 
We had 6100 ft and 13½ miles for the days walking.

We stayed at the Cluanie for the night, our first visit to what was to become one of our favourite haunts.  A place of many magical memories.  At this time the accommodation for walkers was in bunk rooms and the charge was £5 per night including breakfast.  A torch was provided as the lights went out when the generator was switched off at around 1am.
Daniel Stobbart (Danny) and his wife were to be our hosts on a number of occasions   At this time the Hotel was owned by the local Estate.  Danny came to refer to us as "The wild men of the hills".
The Cluanie breakfast is justly famous.

South Shiel map


June 9th.1980.
Malcolm.
Two Munros and 3 tops.
Sgurr na Ciste Duibhe.  Sgurr Fhuaran.  (Five Sisters of Kintail).
Today we parked half way down the old military road to Shiel Bridge.  No fast racetrack as yet.  Taking a break in the wooded slopes on the North side of the Glen we ascended the North Shiel Ridge to the col East of Coirean nan Spainteach (Peak of the Spaniard).  It was here that Malcolm found a map of the area which was to accompany him on many campaigns.  We were set for the Five Sisters of Kintail and the weather was bright and sunny all day.  We followed the ridge as far as Sgurr nan Saighead and I noted that Sgurr na Carnach felt like a Munroe but wasn’t one.  This has now been remedied as it has since been promoted.
Once descended, we found that the bridge marked over the River Shiel did not in fact exist and we had to follow the bank a mile upstream to find a place were we could wade across.  It may have been today that we first met the unfriendly horse that lives hereabouts.  A second night was spent at the Cluanie.
11 miles. 4950ft.



June 10th.1980.
Malcolm.
One Munro.
Carn Ghluasaid. (North of Loch Cluanie).
As we were returning home we had selected a 'clinical' hill for the last day.  Parking alongside Loch Cluanie about 5 miles East of the Hotel we followed the excellent stalking zigzags up Carn Ghluasaid.
We left the car at 9/30am and were on top by 11/00.  Unfortunately it was cloudy and we had no view.  We descended at a run reaching the car by 11/55am which, allowing for a short stop on top, meant a descent time of just 45 minutes.  We had been attacked by a Ptarmigan defending its chicks.
4 miles.  2500ft.  2hours 25mins.