Hills: The Saddle
Date: Friday 31st July 2020
Company: Just myself
Distance: 14.5km, Ascent: 1005m
Time: 5Hrs 50Mins


After work on Thursday, I drove to Glen Shiel where I parked-up for the evening next to Loch Cluanie. Despite it raining on arrival, and throughout the evening, the forecast for the following day was good with the exception of predicted 40mph winds with gusts exceeding 50mph. I had two plans in mind i) to ascend A' Chralaig and Mullach Fraoch-choire, or ii) to ascend The Saddle. I opted for an ascent of The Saddle primarily because it has a good quality stalker's path for much of the way whereas the trackless ascent for my other option would quickly have resulted in wet feet.

I last ascended The Saddle in 1998 via the Forcan ridge. In 2012, I attempted a winter ascent of The Saddle via the Forcan ridge with two companions but ended-up having to retreat from the ridge as my companions were ill-equipped for the conditions. Given the forecasted high wind speeds, I had already decided I would not be ascending via the Forcan ridge.

On Friday morning, I parked in a lay-by a short distance along the road from the start of the track leading towards Biod an Fhithich. I set off walking nice and early at 5.25am.

Click here to see a map of the route undertaken

View at 5.30am:


Thanks to the excellent stalker's path, and beautiful morning skies, I really enjoyed the initial ascent despite having had minimal sleep.

It was 13C at the outset. I was unaware of quite how warm things were going to get as the day progressed. In hindsight, starting so early was a good choice as the temperature had already risen to 23C by the time I returned to the van, and reached 30C during the drive home .

Lovely view to the east during initial ascent:


Ascent to the col between Meallan Odhar and Biod an Fhithich:


During the initial ascent, I stopped only briefly to post a photo on Twitter.

Beautiful view looking east:


View from just below the col:


After approximately an hour of walking, I reached the col between Meallan Odhar and Biod an Fhithich from where I was provided with my first views of The Saddle. It is a lovely mountain.

The Saddle from north ridge of Meallan Odhar:


Biod an Fhithich:


As I progressed up the hill the wind speed increased dramatically; an ascent via the Forcan ridge was well and truly ruled-out.

The Saddle from Meallan Odhar:


I skirted the hill below the base of the Forcan ridge following a wall for around 1km. Despite this route being longer, it is a much easier and safer route up The Saddle.

The Forcan Ridge from above Bealach Coire Mhalagain:


It was nice to see the hills of Knoydart come into view.

The hills of Knoydart:


After leaving the wall, I continued to follow a reasonable quality track round and up the hill.

Skirting round below the Forcan ridge:


Circa 150m below the summit, I stopped for a good drink before commencing the ascent towards the trig point which lies a short distance west of the summit.

Looking towards the summit of The Saddle:


Sgurr na Sgine:


On gaining the ridge, I visited the trig point and then continued along the ridge taking appropriate care in the strong wind not to get blown over. The final ascent to the summit involves some very easy 'hands-on'.

I stopped at the summit long enough to take a few photographs before returning back to somewhere a little less windy and exposed.

View from the summit of The Saddle at 8.30am:


Looking back to the trig point from the summit of The Saddle:


Looking back to the summit of The Saddle and Sgurr na Forcan in descent:


On making my way back down, I was quickly overtaken by three others who had also started early but had ascended via the Forcan ridge. On suggesting the wind must have been very strong on the ridge, I was advised they ran between gusts. Nutters .

The Forcan ridge:


I returned to the car via exactly the same route not encountering any other walkers until back onto the excellent stalker's path leading down to the road. While I was already perspiring somewhat in descent due to the now 23C temperature, those starting the ascent seemed to be shedding bucketfuls of sweat. 

View across to the Five Sisters of Kintail during return to Meallan Odhar:


It was great to get back to the van by 11:15, get the air-conditioning on have a nice cool drink.

A short but very enjoyable day .