GM/WS-042 Sgorr Dhearg & GM/WS-057 Sgorr Dhonuill - 23rd March
Wednesday’s objective was to activate the two SOTA summits of Beinn a’Bheithir. The original intention was to undertake the Twin Ridges (I) route, but there just wasn’t enough snow and ice left at lower altitude. The subsidiary peak of Sgorr Bhan can be seen from the start:
After a stiff climb up the ridge pictured above we moved across Schoolhouse Ridge (SG1), trying to pick the most interesting lines. Some other walkers tried to pick their way through using intermittent paths. It was clear bringing the climbing equipment today was just dead weight. We briefly discussed practicing some rope work before deciding the ridge was so short and easy it wouldn’t be worth the effort of gearing up.
After completing the ridge we had a fantastic view of the first target, GM/WS-042 Sgorr Dhearg:
We scooted along the second ridge which was sadly not in winter condition, arriving at the summit stopping to have a pleasant chat with two hill walkers about their father & son hiking endeavours. I set up the Yaesu FTM100D and managed to get four QSOs in about ten minutes on 2m-FM including with Stuart MM7SWM in Glasgow who would become a regular contact over the week.
We forged on to Sgorr Dhonuill (below), as I continued to lament the mistake of carrying crampons and ice axe. A gent who had travelled from Edinburgh by bus for the day told us of an alternative descent route from the col going south instead of through the forest to the north. This was to avoid difficult forestry terrain to the north. Armed with this tip-off, I consulted my map to replan the rest of the day while we climbed to the summit.
After an uneventful ascent with some easy scrambling at the very top, I set up the radio again. This was the most successful 2m-FM summit of the trip, with 7 QSOs in little more than ten minutes. I did however have to resort to standing on rocks and holding the mobile rig up in the air to get out well enough. I logged with a voice recorder instead of my usual pencil and paper.
We then returned to the bealach between the two summits and started to contour across uneven ground towards the forest. Eventually we picked up a path and made our way back to the Co-Op car park in Ballachulish. The man from Edinburgh was waiting (2 hours!) for his bus home so we had another chat about walking.
All told, a successful day, with some very fine weather. Just a shame we missed the snow on the ridges. The following day would be the main event, Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete.