270, 271. The Saddle (121), Sgurr na Sgine (223), 23/06/2024

After a cloudy 9am start, we made good progress up the well-made path that leads to the Forcan Ridge. At 450m the views began to open up and we could just about see the peaks of the Saddle clearing the cloud. 

As we approached 700m, the scrambling began. It was sustained an interesting, but with lots of good holds and without any serious difficulty or exposure. There was one tricky bit ducking around a boulder that was quite exposed and I wished I were a bit smaller. After the first top we had a look at the descent of the "bad step" from the top and thought it looked a little foolhardy, so we descended the gully that went off to the left just before it. We were vindicated when another experienced walker did the same without even considering the downclimb. Apart from that we kept more or less to the crest of the ridge. We enjoyed a well-earned rest on the (second) top and admired the dramatic views. 

As we descended across to Sgurr na Sgine, we passed other groups of walkers. This is a popular hill and plenty avoid the Forcan Ridge altogether. The initial climb up SnS from the bealach was steep, but beyond that it was straightforward. From there to the top of Faochag was a broad high ridge walk, from where there was a rocky (but efficient) descent to the road.

We took slightly longer than the book - possibly due to taking our time on the ridge and we were back in 6h30 for our 15km and 1250m of ascent.

The author contemplating the serrated Forcan Ridge

Looking back at "Bad Step" after circumnavigation

The whole ridge in profile from Sgurr na Sgine

Ben at the Saddle's south top

Looking back at the descent ridge