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Pap of Glencoe - Sgorr Na Ciche(742m)

Sunday 16th November 2014

9kms

6hrs 15mins

When you are driving across Rannoch Moor heading for Glencoe and the early morning sun has turned the hills of the The Black Mount and the still waters of Lochan na h-Achlaise golden red then you know you are in for a wonderful day in the hills. And we were not to be disappointed.

Taking the standard route from the forestry car park at Bridge of Coe, we climbed the rocky path as it rises steeply above Tom Breac towards the 580m bealach between Sgorr nam Fiannaidh and the southern slopes of Sgorr na Ciche, with the views over Loch Leven and the Ardgour hills opening up as we gained height. The gradient eases slightly as you approach the bealach, albeit, you are obliged to partake in some nifty boulder hopping in order to negotiate some peaty sections of the path.

Beyond the bealach, we made an even steeper, climbing traverse over the rock and boulders as the path passed below the summit and onto the eastern ridge, where a final, short scramble is needed to gain the boulder strewn summit of Sgorr na Ciche, at 742m. The effort in reaching the summit is well rewarded as the views are truly outstanding; with Ben Nevis and the Mamores to the northeast, Ardgour to the west, and the high mountains of Glen Coe to the south; our situation today was in complete contrast to just over a year ago when we struggled with rain and very strong winds just to keep our feet on this cloud and mist shrouded summit.

However, unlike a year ago, we would not retrace our steps for the return, but rather we headed off down the pathless and very steep northeast ridge were we scrambled down boulders fields, slide our way through deep heather and shrub, and struggled to find our footing on ground that was littered with hidden rocks and hollows before we eventually emerged onto a track just off the roadside on the southern shores of Loch Leven. Grateful for anything resembling a path, we climbed westwards towards forest boundary and onwards through the forest on a mixture of rough path and good forest tracks until we made the final short trek through the trees back to our parked cars.

Today, this landmark of a hill truly lived up to its reputation as a wonderful viewpoint; and the weather was just perfect.

Great day Alan - Thank you.

Pap of Glencoe - Sgorr Na Ciche - Photo Gallery

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