This Scottish Ridgewalk was HARDER than I expected.. The Forcan Ridge

[@berylbear1794]

Fabulous vid James, being humble is so rare these days , all that‘smashed it” nonsense really gets me. Keep on going.

[@jimf671]

Great video of my favourite place. The helmet was a good plan. The popular slabby start can be dangerous because it succumbs to rockfall in some years. Starting off to the right and further down can be both sportier and safer at such times. The move that you went left around at about 7min51s is a lot easier when you know which bits to reach for. The top edge of the rock off to the right filling the frame at 7min51s, and again 7min53s/54s, is a really sound bit to hang on to. Pull yourself up toward the gap between the two rocks above it then reach up on the left for a good hold, bring your feet up on to good steps and move through the gap. At the big step, west of Sgurr na Forcan, at 10min39s, there are two versions that I know of to the direct downclimb approach. Both start straight down for a few metres, veering right onto a sloping ledge with loads of holds. There is a way down left from there but my usual route is to the right and down a set of deceptive corners. The bypass you took to the left of all that is another rockfall blackspot where at times one can find rocks the size of a person sliding around, so take care. Those seeking maximum sport can descend back down the ridge! 😎 Following the obvious wall on descent can be tiresome because of the complexities under foot. Even worse under soft snow! In dry conditions it is easier to go to the lochan in the bealach and then take a line directly NE across the top of the corrie back to where you started the ridge.

[@ColinMatheson-j6o]

Great video. Son Rory and I climbed the Forcan Ridge on a sweltering hot July day in 2013. Met by a raven on the summit that then joined us at the bottom of the ridge. Sgurr na Sgine was my last Munro (in May 2012). I managed the descent after consuming large quantities of champagne and whisky. I felt sober by the end.

[@martinoberstein8431]

What a fantastic mountain scenery! Thank you ever so much for this great footage, James. How sound it is to respect your subjective limits. Stay safe and healthy!

[@nlewin5072]

Well presented and narrated video.

[@timrosenburgh8597]

Wow what a video James. My heart was in my mouth watching you go across the Forcan Ridge as i guess yours was as well. Absolutely stunning view's. As you said it was one of your hardest ones. Look forward to the next one.

[@RogerBrowne]

Early in your Munro journey you used to say "I'm not very good with heights yet", but somehow you gained confidence and skills and were able to tackle all of the Skye mountains with a guide, and now the Forcan Ridge solo. The scariest video that you posted, in my opinion, was a wet and exposed bypass path on Liathach.

[@StephenOverthrow]

Yeah, that is one scary bypass path on Liathach. I recall doing that a few years back and seeing the parked cars in the glen 3000 feet below between my legs! Wish we had gone over the pinnicles, least there would be something to hang on to.🗻🗻

[@doorntreader7624]

Bravo, I don't think I'd manage that ridge! Another great video, many thanks.

[@thelifeofbrian282]

Well done James the ridge 🏔️looks awesome, I've still to do these 2, so good to see what's involved, great drone footage and nice editing 👌 atb Brian 👍

[@RonBryson-i2k]

Well done such a special ridge. My mate and I drove to the foot of the hills on our motorbikes so best of both worlds climbed the two mid summer in the evening and back down to the road when we set up camp. And climbed another two Munro’s the next morning not realising how hard theForcan ridge was. So very tired the next day. Look forward to your next hill very special area. Getting close now.

[@kennycunn1]

Climbed this many years ago with bad sunburn the day after the south glenshiel ridge and a freezing sleepless night in a van. Great memories.

[@richardmiddleton6805]

Bangin video again James. The Forcan is indeed a special special ridge. Thanks for sharing. Not long now til we see the compleation video. 👌😁

[@mcmickey999]

This brings back memories, still recall the forcan ridge, the scariest hill walk I've done but enjoyed the achievement! I never get bored of Glen Sheil, beautiful area. Amazing video!

[@grahamavis6105]

Winter climb many years ago and as you said, its a long day and arduous day. Nearly there!!

[@jameswakefield3873]

Another beautifully shot video. Incredible views!!!

[@MyScottishAdventures]

Absolutely stunning video James. Looks amazing. Cant wait to get up here myself one. ATVB Alan

[@andrewsadventures5747]

Nice one James. Loved doing the Forcan Ridge. Look forward to your Ben Cruachan vid. One of my favourite Munros!

[@dougblake2619]

Awesome vid! Last push :D

[@Pommyjon1978]

The Forcan Ridge is a special place, great video in a great part of the world.

[@alanmethven4437]

Nice one James. What a fantastic ridge that is. I was waiting to see how you descended as when I got to the top of Faochag really wished that I'd gone back along the wall, but once down didn't feel it was as brutal as it looked from above. I've certainly had worse descent routes. Cheers.

[@sueelphick9060]

Great day in the hills ...😊😊😊😊

[@Martycycleman]

Appsalutly brilliant. Many thanks😊

[@happycycleboy6807]

Wow, wow!! Used to love a ridge walk now as older get the fear....even on these videos have to look away....it is what it is. Fabulous scenery all around. Thanks for sharing.

[@whigwood]

I'm with you on this one! Aonach Eagach (twice) and Liathach were great. But I've heard about the "Forcan" over many years. Having watched this now, and now aged 77, you're not going to see me anywhere near this one! Great video, and well done James.

[@fredscratchet1355]

Beautiful. Thanks James.

[@natalieminnis]

Well done! Spectacular film footage too.

[@ScotSpirit]

Nearly there James, great vlog ATB

[@MrHistorian123]

I started the Forcan Ridge but bailed out and went round it to do the Munros, because I have a poor head for heights. It is extremely narrow and exposed. A friend said that it's called the Forcan Ridge because it's Forcan scary.

[@ScottishMunroJourney]

It is an exposed route with no escapes so think you made the correct choice 😁

[@DavidBullard-Reed]

Great video once again ❤

[@itsablack1]

Brilliant vid , you remind me why I need to go back and do it again 👍 Still won't be doing the 30ft drop 😂 Didn't fancy that descent but you got a great view of the ridge from there , maybe next time 🤔

[@ScottishMunroJourney]

Its a class day, but I also wouldn’t do that descent route either 😂

[@StephenOverthrow]

Well done James. That was epic! Bit concerned for you in places on the ridge being on your own. Need to see the last 5 videos!! Lovely footage again and the weather played ball. Big day out that, but isn't everything around Kintail? Keep going chap. Looking forward to you doing the CMD. Go for a windless clear day mate as the views of the north face of the Ben are awesome. Cheers, Ozzy.

[@emerald-islander]

Nice one james ,not far away now

[@Ant-66]

Looks a beauty that ridge, my kind of walk. Superbly filmed as usual 📽 👍

[@DAoutdoors]

Hi James. Absolutely fantastic, stunning views. That ridge looked brilliant fun, although a couple of sections looked scary stuff indeed. All the best mate 😀🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿⛰🥾

[@bigbadthesailor5173]

Another wonderful video. I have an awful head for heights - this isn't somewhere I can imagine walking, but to have your beautifully shot and paced videos, I feel there is some element of that that you've let me experience. Thank you so much

[@peterdouglas3170]

Well done James that ridge looked a bit scary great video.

[@Craig-MItchell]

Mighty 😎 You lucked in with the Raven shot ! excellent 👏🏻

[@TOMCOOZE25]

Amazing scenery. I have two questions if you don’t mind answering them: - what’s next for the channel now you’ve done the Munros? - have you done a video on the camera/filming equipment you use? Thanks Tom PS, we did meet back in early March near the saddle of Cruach Ardrain and you were as genuine as expected

[@spectacularscotland]

Absolutely superb James 👍

[@petelashley]

Great adventure James! Superb video of a long tough day with superb views! Well done, many thanks 👍

[@jimfisher7727]

Tell you what James...so glad you said that was one of toughest descents lol, it's a great ridge walk but after I'd got down to the bottom I walked straight through the small river with my Hokas still on (feet on fire hot summer day) and then (fed up of constantly slipping on the way down cos the sole was about dead) i immediately chucked them in the bin at the layby lol I will never ever go up or come back down that hill Faochaig is it called lol. Great vid mate of a great hill with brutal descent to road :-/

[@natalieminnis]

Horrendous descent - "what the Faochaig" as I call it.

[@jimfisher7727]

@@natalieminnis lol that's the one hah

[@danjeory3659]

Great video. It's only when you ditch the poles that you realise how much work they take off your legs....

[@ScottishMunroJourney]

Big regret 😂

[@glengribbon8541]

Fantastic video. Convincing me to take the bypass path....

[@garyb455]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@eddieharwood7788]

It's great to see that again. You are right to tell folk that that camera gives an egaggerated impression of the exposure. I first did the Forcan ridge in the late 1960's - it seems a very long time ago and I had forgotten how protracted the ridge is. Best of luck with your last few.

[@micallen8796]

See you on the next one :) x

[@ytfeelslikenorthkorea]

"exposure" it the key word for me in the Highlands. Had a few moments over the last 2 years when a thought "so that's how I will become a statistic" crossed my mind :)

[@EmsWolf02]

That's a definite no from me!!! My Munro bagging will not involve those with ridges like that!!! Great effort though.

[@CairnHunters]

Nicely done James!👍

[@gritstoneedge]

The Saddle and Sgurr na Sgine looked fantastic in the video. I would never have done it if it was as steep and narrow as your camera showed. I am sure many people avoid some of the scary bits. Again the North West Highlands showed just how fantastic the area is. Thanks for the video. Nearly there (or may be finished now)

[@report-all-potholes-and-ro2712]

Great effort. Well done. I should imagine if inversion cloud had settled below it would have been even more daunting psychologically.

[@DrawingNo1]

Wow! , looks an amazing walk with fantastic views. Discretion is the better part of valour.

[@TuckRob]

That downclimb is horrible and comes as a surprise. At that point retreating back down the ridge doesn't seem a comfortable option either. I don't think I saw the bypass path until I reached the bottom. It's was over twenty years ago but I can still remember having a wobbly moment on greasy rock..

[@michallowther4160]

Enjoy Ladhar Bheinn when you do it. Think it might sneak into your top 5. It was my final one in 2008.

[@hugepumpkin8094]

I think he did a top 5 mountains with Ladhar Bheinn in a few years ago- despite not reaching the summit when he attempted it he still rated it highly.

[@ptaytv4775]

wasthat a lizard moving when you were looking back at the down climb at 11.25.somethink was wigging in the grass

[@tonycurry2559]

Keep ladhar Beinn till last. It’s awesome.

[@hugepumpkin8094]

He said he would do Carn Mor Dearg last, I expect he would continue onto Ben Nevis after as he hasn't filmed that one and so would have a pretty satisfactory end.

[@StephenOverthrow]

​@hugepumpkin8094 Yeah, agree there. Needs to pick a perfect weather day for that one.

[@kennycunn1]

@@StephenOverthrow He completed on carn Mor Dearg a few weeks ago.

[@StephenOverthrow]

@kennycunn1 Hi Kenny. Must have missed that one of the CMD. Can't find it amongst his videos also. Cheers, Ozzy.

[@hugepumpkin8094]

@@StephenOverthrow I don't think he has released it yet. In this video he says he probably has completed them by release date but obviously has a few more to go at the time of recording. I think the videos get released several weeks, even months, after walking them.

[@immortaltyger1569]

James, do you ever consider hiking with a partner when attempting a difficult / dangerous walk?

[@mightymog100]

It isn't even fun watching someone else doing this