Alternative Schoolhouse Ridge

In an attempt to beat the heat forecast, we got up at 4:30am, packed up the tent, had breakfast and were walking by 6:15am. We decided to tackle this route by starting in the forestry car park at south Ballahullish to save some miles and time.

Heading gently up through the trees and just over half a kilometer later, headed over a bridge and took the trail to the right which doubles back on itself around a kilometer later before shortly reaching a forestry road. Heading straight across the road the path continues mainly south to reach another forestry track half a kilometer later. Again heading straight across and this time the ascent steepened markedly, but plenty of stepping stops in places. We stopped close to the 400m contour for a break.

Before long the trees are left behind, note that some have been felled since the last os map update. The path heads almost directly up for a short section then starts contouring around over some burns and at times a few muddy sections. Closer to the ascent towards the bealach, a fence is reached which you need to cross, better to do so lower down. After a short rise the ground levels off and becomes quite boggy until you reach the ascent which is quite steep and rocky. Once at the bealach we took another break enjoying the views all around.

We decided to tackle the further away eastern Munro first, which is just under 300m up at first a grassy slope, but soon turns rocky and in places some loose scree but not tricky. Soon we reached the summit of our first Munro of the day, Sgorr Dhearg. Ailidh wasn't interested in the Munro top further along the ridge, so she had an extra rest stop as I headed steeply down east then north east to reach Sgorr Bhan. As usual I found the return back to the Munro was quite tough as I go to fast since I don't like leaving Ailidh by herself. Once back together I had a short break myself.

First returning to the bealach, we then headed up very steeply to the west, over some grassy switchbacks, again becoming more rocky after the first rise. After the large slab of rock, the main peak looks a little scary and I remember from a long time back that there was a very exposed ledge to traverse, so packing the poles away it was hands on for a while. After a short rise the ledge is reached, which is wider than I remember but still a little scary, but straightforward. Before you know it you are at the summit of the last Munro of the day, Sgorr Dhonuill.

With the summit being quite crowded, we headed a little more to the east to some rocks to have a longer break and take in the fantastic views from Jura and Mull all the way up to Fort William and beyond, probably one of the best views I've seen from a Munro. Returning to the bealach I found the exposed ledge much less intimidating this way round, then it was retracing our steps all the way back to the car. We took just under nine hours including quite a few stops, pretty good going.

We realised we had left some stuff in the campsite freezer, so headed the short distance back to collect them and had a sneaky shower before heading home via Inverness this time.