Day 5

The East end of the North Ridge

















































The final day was a big claggy and visibility came and went as the cloud base shifted and swirled not really making up its mind at all. The day was still warm which meant hot and damp walking conditions but feeling much more like Scotland than the previous 4 days. Our intention was 4 Munros starting with the outlying Ciste Dhubh which isn't really part of the North Ridge then doubling back and climbing Aonach Meadhoin, Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg and Saileag before dropping back down to the same point we had walked West from the previous day, therefore completing the North Ridge. After Ciste Dhubh John was starting to make excuses about climbing in low visibility and hinting at bailing out so we stopped for a break. After a hot chocolate and a chat about how we were already almost half way up and the 4 hour drive to come back etc. etc. we ploughed on. Up on the ridge we saw a herd of what I assume to be wild goats just before the amazing sumit of Sgurr a Bhealaich Dheirg which marked my 25% of completing the Munros. An ankle bursting steep descent off path after the blip of a summit that is Saileag and back through a forresty plantation saw us back at the car and looking forward to a slap up meal and a few pints at the Clunie Inn that evening as celebration of a fantastic few days.