Quote Originally Posted by Joe View Post
I've just got back from a fantastic family walking holiday in Glen Nevis - tried a round of the Mamores on Monday but had to abandon due to beginnings of heat stroke half way round! Then had another bash on Friday and completed the round from Achriabhach (clockwise) in 7:14. This time it snowed on me!

ydt - nice to bump into you on Saturday - how did the Ramsay round attempt you were supporting go? Was the Devil's Ridge bypass good?

Regarding shortcuts - the bypass of Na Gruagachian's NW top was good. I avoided bypassing An Garbhanach on the way up, but on the first attempt I bypassed it on the way down on the west - not recommended unless you like traversing large blocks of loose scree - stick to the ridge. The bypass below the Devil's Ridge worked well. I previously tried bypassing the top between Stob Ban and Mullach nan Coirean and found it too rough. And the descent from Mullach nan Coirean? Down the start of the NE ridge then direct across the heather to the stile into the forest - far faster than following the path!

After that I've got some idea of how ludicrously tough the full round is...
Just back from Scotland. There were three contenders, the two completed, the third retired.
Devil's ridge bypass: At Sgur a'Mhaim the two contenders running together were 5 minutes behind schedule. At Stob Ban we were 15 minutes inside schedule. It does save time.
I was out and about for almost 24 hours after I spoke to you, completely self-sufficient, recceing and supporting. Apart from a couple of bivying spells I as on my feet for 20 hours.
Yiannis