Day 2 - Lairig Leacach Bothy to Loch Ossian Youth Hostel, 25.0 km, 1780m ascent

Day 2 largely follows the second leg of the Ramsay Round and is dominated by the fjord like trench of Loch Treig.   The suggested route omits the Munro of Chno Dearg, but this could be included with minimal extra effort.  It would also be possible to more closely follow the Ramsay Round route by incoporating the North East ridge of Beinn na Lap, but I hadn't ever followed the South East ridge of Meall Garbh so I took this route instead. This also more closely tracks the railway line on which the overall route is based. Furthermore, it omits a last slog to reach the North East ridge of Beinn na Lap, which may be a factor given that you will already have undertaken two major grinding ascents.

The day begins with a river crossing. This can be undertaken by hopping over boulders in the river bed unless it is in spate, in which case a more circuitous route to the North may be advisable.  A rough and indeterminate slope leads inexorably to the upper slopes and finally, to a steeper scree ridge and the first summit. Follow the ridge all the way to the Fersit Dam. The track is boggy and indistinct toward the bottom and it may be with some relief that you reach the dam.  Take a break here unless the midges drive you onward.  At the far side, walk along the railway line keeping alert fron any passing trains.After 400m or so strike up through the trees where able to do so and labour up the rough and broken ground beyond. This is somewhat toilsome until the steeper ground above is reached. It really does feel like you are walking above a fjord on the final ridge to Sgriodain - a deserved reward after what has gone before.

Stob Coire Sgriodain from the dam

The way is indistinct at times across the bump ground to Meall Garbh. As its name suggests, this is rough ground and can cause navigational problems in mist.  No such problems exist on the broad ridge over Garbh Bheinn. Drop off to the South at about the 750m contour to pick up a vehicle track down to the railway bridge.  A big track then leads across the moor to the hostel which makes a fine place to spend the night, either in the hostel or camping nearby.