No need to curse on the Forcan ridge

I had been asked to go to a Rannoch dinner up in Skye and decided to hit a few hills on the way up on the Friday. The Rannoch ethos is a bit bizarre. Par exemple, if one of the group went missing or doesn't turn up from a hill day, there's a fight for that person's dessert before a search party is arranged. Who were this motley crew that I would be dining with? I digress. The drive from Glasgow to Kintail was smooth as we left at 0630. We (Big Al and I), parked at the layby and walked over to a wee gate, where we could make out the excellent stalker's path up to the bealach. It really is a great path and it wasn't long before we popped on to the bealach and my first view of the Saddle was had - it looked quite foreboding but at least it had stopped raining. We strode onwards and upwards before reaching the bottom of the scrambly stuff - I wasn't sure what to expect.

Books and reports suggested one or two awkward points. Having done some indoor climbing, I felt comfortable with what lay ahead. The initial part is easy scrambling but it isn't long before you're scrambling with some nice exposure on either side. I would say about 30 minutes into the scramble, there was one point, which was an awkward pull up a slopey boulder but it was very positive. I could now see the other path, which avoids the ridge completely. The ridge is a must but does require a good head for heights. More excellent scrambling led to a fairly precipitous 20 ft drop. There were two paths off this, which are quite tricky to get down but with care, it shouldn't be a problem. We chose the route more or less straight down, which was interesting and involved down-climbing but with deliberation, we got there. This is an awkward part and will put people off - I think it helped that I had some experience indoors but it doesn't prepare you for the wet and sharp rock you have to grip for. From here, there was a great path all the way to the top and a rewarding view across to the peaks in the other areas. From beginning of the ridge to the summit took us 90 minutes - we were quite quick along this.

We had lunch and Big Al played some Rammstein (Du hast Milch) - the peace was shattered by his hi-tech faux-pas but it psyched us up for our descent/ascent to Sgurr Na Sgine. Why someone would build a bloody great wall off this hill and down past the bealach is beyond me but by following it, it took us nicely to the bealach and afforded a fine view along the Saddle. We climbed up the side of SnSgine and it wasn't long before we walked along towards the summit cairn - it's a dramatic drop just off the edge of the cairn and there was a perfect wee howff for two to take tea. From there, we decided to descend off Faochag (the whelk) but it meant an excellent view back to Sgurr na Sgine.

The descent off Faochag - my god, it was an unrelenting, quad-bursting descent but done in quick time due to its steepness. My legs are still buggered. Big Al wasn't sure of the pronounciation and after the descent called it 'F**kpig' - I don't think that was quite right though. However, once across the river, that feeling of achievement and a great day on the hill was had and we enjoyed a great drive up to Elgol for a the dinner gathering at Major General Gav's pad - and were rewarded with a wonderful view of the Cuillin ridge at sunset. Dram in hand and legs weary I looked across and revelled in what had been a great day on the hill.

Mount Keen

It had been a tough week at work, dealing with swine flu and the fallout. Thankfully, I had been told to bugger off for the weekend and I thought I'd head to the Grampians en route to my folks. I had had a few problems with my knee recently and was 'keen' to try it out on the walk-in and moderate ascent. The first thing that struck me was that it's a helluva long road until you even get to the car park at Glen Esk but it was lovely to be stepping out into the peace and tranquility again. Bagged up and ready to go, I headed past the curiously named 'House of Mark' (he wisnae aboot) and it's sign directing you to Mt Keen. The path was superb and as the glen opened up, I could even see as far as the path ascending up past the Ladder Burn, which was maybe 4 or 5 km in the distance. A few walkers were out and about and it wasn't long before I walked past the Queen's Well, which was itself a major public health problem - the water was stagnant and I doubt HRH drank from this in a past life.

 

As I walked past the wee hoose (how I'd love to live there), I noticed a curious bump off to the left, which looked like it might offer some decent rock-climbing - must check out that and see if it's recommended. The path meandered up on to the Knowe of Crippley (sp?) and before long, the cone of Mount Keen was clear. t had been fairly benign weather conditions to this point but a cold Easterly wind called for the waterproofs especially as sleet was being deposited on one. The trig point was tagged and a fab view over to Lochnagar was in evidence. t really is a fine view point and I could see Bennachie to the North. A wee howf has been fashioned just beside the trig point and i had a spot of lunch in the shelter and relished the peace and quiet. The return leg was very straightforward and I would definitely recommend this Munro as a relaxing wander, with little effort to ascend to the summit. It would also be a great Winter walk but I don't know how good the road would be from Tarfside to the car park (about 4 miles). The book-time says 3 hours 10 to the summit but I did this walk in just under 4 hours so it's a very generous time to ascend. I did run down from the summit to the wee house but all in all, this was a very relaxing walk and not a swine in sight. Bad joke time - man goes to the doctor and says 'Doc, I think I had swine flu, I've had symptoms for one weeeeeeeeeeek....'