Ring of Steall

[Chirs]

TRIP REPORT: Show trip details

MORE REPORTS: View all trip reports by this author

---

Munros: Sgurr a' Mhaim, Am Bodach, Stob Coire a' Chairn and An Gearanach
Date: Sunday 7th March 2010
Weather: Low cloud, clearing to sunshine late afternoon
Attendees: Just me
Time: 11 hours

I'll keep the text reasonably brief for this report, as the route was pretty much the standard bagger's circuit. I opted to tackle the ring anti-clockwise, ascending Sgurr a' Mhaim from the wire bridge. The walk to the bridge through Nevis Gorge was lovely, particularly when the spectacular Steall Falls came into view.

The partly-frozen Steall Falls:


The wire bridge was much wobblier than I expected :


But I made it across safely:


From the bridge I made a steep ascent through the trees, following a burn in a roughly south-west direction. This led to a wee bealach beneath the 483m top shown on the map. From here I headed south, up steep craggy ground, to reach Sgurr a' Mhaim's north-east ridge. I followed this all the way to the summit, which seemed to take forever to reach . At this point the cloud was still down unfortunately . However, the next section, Devil's Ridge, provided ample entertainment.

Pinnacle on Devil's Ridge:


This pinnacle was easily passed on its right. Following this, airy ridge walking eventually led to the top Sgurr an Iubhair. While going from here to Am Bodach, the cloud began to clear, revealing some nice views .

Sgurr a' Mhaim:


Ben Nevis hiding in the cloud:


Stob Coire a' Chairn came next, with more fine views. The next obstacle, the rocky An Garbhanach, looked particularly impressive.

Devil's Ridge and Sgurr a' Mhaim:


An Garbhanach:


Looking back to Am Bodach:


While descending from Stob Coire a' Chairn, the evening sun lit up the surrounding hills beautifully .

An Garbhanach, leading to the Munro An Gearanach:


Na Gruagaichean:


Thankfully the ascent of An Garbhanach wasn't as difficult as it looked. I was hoping I'd be able to watch the sun set from here - unfortunately a pesky cloud got in the way .

The sun sinking behind Devil's Ridge:


Looking back to Stob Coire a' Chairn:


Sgurr a' Mhaim and Devil's Ridge after sunset:


Looking along the ridge to the last Munro of the day, An Gearanach:


Looking back from An Gearanach to An Garbhanach, Stob Coire a' Chairn and Am Bodach:


The descent back to the wire bridge was mostly in the dark, though Ben Nevis kept me company :


Crossing the wire bridge in the dark was interesting . I was glad to be back across this, knowing the car was now just a short walk away along a nice clear path.

I had a very enjoyable day on the Ring of Steall . However, it turned out that it was merely a warm-up for two superb days to follow...

[terra_firma]

[Verbal]

Im looking forward to doing this in the summer,its a massive walk for winter though, well done on doing it and especially alone.

Would you recommend doing this anti-clockwise?

[Lochivroan]

Really beautiful lighting in your photos all the way through sunset and beyond. Great day out!
_________________
On a clear day you can see Criffel from here!

[Robinho08]

[doogz]

dunno if i could huv waited on sunset

still ....brill
_________________
its this way!...you sure?...over here..no no over this way....how do you know we havent been here before..? typical day out unless you walk alone
Doogz

[fertg1234]

Just a bit jealous , I had hoped to get this done anticlockwise in winter conditions, but ill health has impacted on my fitness so I am just a bit jealous ,well very jealous actually, this looks superb and the pics arr fantastic The ridge looks even more of a classic if thats possible. Well done I will use this report I hope in the future

[donaldshaw]

Another cracking report, great that you had the time to go out and do these walks. I like your route and will probably try it sometime this year - cheers

[Borderbagger]

Another excellent report. I did this route, clockwise though, when Sgurr an Iunhair was still a Munro. The tables were revised a week later and i was gutted to only have bagged 4 instead of 5 but it was a great day out none the less. Well done!
_________________

[foggieclimber]

Another great report Chirs.

I remember taking an ex-girlfriend across that wire bridge to do her first Munro.
_________________

[annesbob1]

Hi Mate

I've just recovered from you big herdsman report

Your reports are brisk and brief - your photos are always superb - the second last one would win many photo prizes

Cheers Bob

[AdrianL]

This is a great walk in the summer, but looks an altogether more tricky proposition under winter conditions. Well done!

Enjoyed the changing light in your photos as the sun went down. I hope you got down below the snowline before you lost sight of where you were putting your feet.
_________________
All you touch and all you see is all your life will ever be

[Cuillin]

I've done this route a couple of times in summer but what you tackled on your own in winter is amazing - great pictures BTW.
_________________
Being on the hills gives you a sense of where you are, where you've been, where you're going and why!

[goth_angel]

Great pics.

Would also like to do this one this year but only in a dry spell as I'm not crossing that bridge so would need to be able to wade the river!
_________________

[Cuillin]