Goatfell but not the tourist track, the scary scramble version.

 Hill: Goatfell via North Goatfell

Type: Corbett

Height: 874m

Another CalMac crossing, I'm becoming a regular these days, this time a sailing to Arran. A pleasant crossing soon passed after a CalMac brekkie roll and good company.

Glen Sannox with Cioch na h-Oighe on the left

Crossed the burn before The Saddle looking back down Glen Sannox

The initial plan for today's walk was to ascend Goatfell from Sannox via the Cioch na h-Oighe. But the best laid plans and all that. The gusting winds put paid to that, potentially too dangerous on the ridge.

The chute

The result was a longer walk up the beautiful Glen Sannox to the first obstacle of the day, The chute that leads to the Saddle. The blue skies and tranquil surroundings made us blaze about what lay ahead. Not tackling the ridge might have seemed the easier option but it was far from that. A few scary moments lay ahead.

The Saddle has a steep chute which is normally challenging but straightforward. Today the rock was wet and slippyery. One person got up it but I could not get a grip with either hands or feet so elected to retreat. The group now ascended via a section nearby which was slightly drier but still a technical challenge for most of the group. Slow progress, helping hands and a few elevated heart rates but we got there. With relief a short break was taken on the top of the Saddle.

Jagged ridge ahead

Scrambling starts again. Goatfell on the right

Rugged landscape. The Witches Step gash on the right

Next obstacle was the climb to North Goatfell. A good track took us most of the way up before the intimidating final section of what now looked like a proper Alpine ridge.

Another steep chute with big drops caused more high stress. We had to keep a distance in case the person in front slipped/fell taking others down as well. Another wet rock section with minimal foot and hand holds was a challenge for most although a couple of the group made it look easy. Easy it was not.

Cir Mhor the spike behind with The Saddle the flatter ground to the right

View down Glen rosa. Is the rock a snake or crocodile?

But we made it to North Goatfell with outstanding views to savour.

Sadly, this was not our top. We now had another ridge with more potentially tricky scrambling and exposure. Even getting to the start of this involved hairy descents over steep slippy rocks, bum sliding at times on these descents.

A debate ensued and the party split with about half, including me, taking the bypass route.

Bypass route

North Goatfell's ridge to Goatfell

Some of the group on top of the rocky scramble

A narrow trail with some exposed minor scrambling before we finally reached Goatfell itself. Looking back the other group were still some ways back. Best decision for a long time to go bypass lol.

The descent

A scenic lunch at the top before making the long, long descent back via the tourist track to Brodick. Most had a well-deserved ice cream, a few a beer.

My face was skelped with a combination of the bright day and the high winds which meant I never felt the sunburn until too late. Plenty of Aloe Vera gel will be applied.

This was a stunning but tough day. Most of the group were experienced walkers but most were feeling significant leg muscle tiredness. A cracking day but I can live without the higher stress levels for a midweek walk.

Ascent: 939m

Distance: 15.7km

Time: 7.24

Wildlife: Raven; Common Darter; Common Blue Dragonfly;

Glen Sannox to Glen Rosa via the Saddle Arran

Glen Sannox, The Saddle & Cir Mhor

A fabulous walk on Arran today walking up Glen Sannox, over The Saddle and back down Glen Rosa to Brodick.
After a jam packed bus trip we got dropped off at Sannox about 15 minutes behind schedule, important as time was tight due to Calmac only operating one ferry instead of the scheduled two. Don’t want to miss the 16.40 by 5 minutes and wait 2 and a half hours to the next ferry.
It was a lovely walk up Glen Sannox only interrupted by the cascading waters and the call of the cuckoo, quite delightful.
Our objective, The Saddle, is in our sights along with Cir Mhor, a Corbett I have scheduled for next month but not today.

Lava like rock of Cir Mhor

The rock formation of Cir Mhor look amazing, almost like ripples of lava, steely grey and black, looking like the very old rock it is.

Head of Glen Sannox

There is a good recently renovated track following the burn and there are great views as you feel hemmed in by the mighty mountains.
An hours walk and we reach the scramble territory. Yesterday's rain has created running water in parts and very wet and slippy rocks for our scrambling. The semi track is frequently lost and found as we scramble upwards, hands and feet a must.

Whin Dyke scrambling time

We reach the chimney section, also known as the Whin Dyke, a steep gully scramble. For a short section it felt like a full on rock climb. Wet slippy smooth rock affording little grip. For short legs like mine some interesting haul up positions. For all that it was not scary, just effort and fun but it got the adrenaline going. 

Looking back Glen Sannox

A 40 minute haul up from the glen and we are on the Saddle and time for lunch and also have a good look at the close by notorious Witches Step. A lady comes down from North Goatfell and we have a chat. Cir Mohr’s upper flanks are right beside us, a scree scramble, it is a pity to be so close but there will be another day.

Glen Rosa

On the way down we meet another solo lady who has just done Tarsuinn and A’Chir which she found scary, it has a reputation, brave lady.

Cir Mhor & Witches step behind

And now a long but gentle walk down Glen Rosa with good views of Goatfell and looking back at Cir Mhor, the jagged Witches Step beyond looks a lot more formidable.

The Falls

Further down the glen a fenced off section of the burn with some deep gorges and waterfalls, crystal clear water, a good place for a final rest and look back.
We walked back to Brodick and made the boat with half an hour to spare.
Disappointing wildlife day. We saw a small herd of deer but not convinced that they were wild. A kestrel and the cuckoo about it.
Still a superb day to be repeated.

Time: 4.38
Ascent: 539m
Distance: 16.4km