Sgor na h-ulaidh, 16th November, 2008

Another fine summer's (?) day in the Highlands, so myself the Colonel, and the Gunner visited Glencoe to bag Sgor na h-ulaidh 994m, the Colonel's 216th munro. There is a small parking area at 121564 (approx) on the A82, about 200m from the landrover track heading south following the Alt na Muidhe and onto Sgor na h-ulaidh. See map.

Ahead of the Highland Cattle lies the route myself and the gunner took; Aonach Dubh a' Ghlinne which after quite a steep climb leads onto a broad rocky ridge. Cameron McNiesh's book says to climb the shoulder, but we took a route up south easterly from the cottages at Gleann-leac-na-muidhe, and then traversed east onto the shoulder, which was still pretty steep and would've been a nightmare in loose wer snow. The Colonel took the more normal route, following the path by the Allt na Muidhe to ascend SE onto the N ridge of Stob an Fhuarain where we met him again!

As we climber higher, we got a great view across the glecn of the Aonach Eagach ridge with a dusting of snow on the pinnacles.

From the top of Stob an Fhuarain at 968m looking across to Sgor na h-Ulaidh. What little snow there was proved to be trickier than it looks. From the bealach between the two. there is a slightly scrambly approach, made harder with verglassed rock and frozen snow! Despite leaving axe and crampons in the car, I used the steps in the central band of snow to reach the summit ridge where you pass what looks like a cracking grade I/II winter gully?

The Colonel on the sumit of Sgor na h-Ulaidh with the Ben in the far distance (?)

Looking back on our route to Stob an Fhuarain, with the Bidean range in the background. Myself in regulation silly hat enjoying a cup of tea on the summit of Sgor na h-Ulaidh.

The Colonel, myself and the Gunner on Stob an Fhuarain, before heading NW down to the Allt na Muidhe and back to the car (and The Clachaig Inn).

From Stob an Fhuarain, looking SE into Glen Etive and Loch Etive.