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Meall Dearg

Munro
Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
953 m (3126 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NN16135835
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
212 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Red Hill
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  41   Ben Nevis, Fort William & Glen Coe
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

  Description
Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh are two Munros separated by a narrow rocky and exposed ridge known as the Aonach Eagagh (Notched ridge). As there is no safe way off the ridge between these peaks they are usually climbed together.

The normal ascent of the Aonach Eagach is to the col between Am Bodach and Sron Garbh to the E. The scrambling is scary rather than technically difficult, but do not attempt this peak unless your are comfortable with scrambling in exposed locations.

Meall Dearg can be ascended without traversing the ridge via its NW facing ridge - an easy route, but the return will be by the same route.

Hazards you may encounter on Meall Dearg include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 Scrambling (major), greater exposure and steeper rock.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Meall Dearg

Am Bodach, the first top in the traverse of the Aonach Eagach, seen across Glen Coe from Gearr Aonach, the north-east ridge of Stob Coire nan Lochan.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown

The chancellor off Am Bodach a great extra on the A Eagach ridge..27th july 2008

© Dougie Mccoll
Image by Dougie Mccoll

The Aonnach Eagach Ridge with Meall Dearg at its eastern (right) end as viewed from Stob Coire nan Lochan (Bidean nam Bian).

© Bill Wales
Image by Bill Wales

A glimpse through the swirling mist, looking west along the Aonach Eagach ridge, about midway between Meall Dearg and the col with Stob Coire Leith.

© David S Brown
Image by David S Brown
View All 33 Images for Meall Dearg

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Bidean nan Bian
by Metcheck
Meall Dearg Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

A selection of local accommodation options who advertise with Munromagic.com.

  Where to Stay
We currently have no
sponsored accommodation listings for this area.

The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Meall Dearg.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

  Routes that include Meall Dearg
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1295 m 11.39 km 4.5 hrs Sgorr nam Fiannaidh and Meall Dearg  The Aonach Eagach (notched ridge) is Scotland's classic ridge walk. It is a difficult route requiring scrambling skills and an ability to cope with exposure.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Meall Dearg

  Baggers Gallery for Meall Dearg

Meall Dearg then Aonach Eagach ridge and on to Sgorr nam Fiannaidh.

© Martin Grady
Image by Martin Grady

Meall Dearg 18/6/2014

© Stuart Mcgeown
Image by Stuart Mcgeown

my dad on meall dearg with the crazy pinnacles beyond

© Michael Mcmillan
Image by Michael Mcmillan

Meall Dearg, roasting. Hat is on backwards to stop neck burning not a fashion statement.

© Kenny Wallace
Image by Kenny Wallace
View All 26 Baggers Images for Meall Dearg
The logging section stores any entries for Meall Dearg in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
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  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
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  Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Alasdair Cairns on 06 Sep 2023
Stevie Yates on 01 Aug 2023
Alan Tracey on 31 May 2023
Brian Williams on 15 May 2023

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Meall Dearg
by Doug Tulloch
Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh
by Philip McLoone
Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh
by chris mackinnon
Meall Dearg and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh
by Stevie Yates

Post a few words about Meall Dearg or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 12 comments. Would you like to view all 12?
Douglas Wood
wrote on
June 29, 2011
Had the ridge pretty much to ourselves today. A lot of low cloud and some rain..this was god though because I might have thought twice if I had taken a good look from the car park...Definately very exposed in places and I made the mistake of taking a rucksack which took on a homicidal life of it's own. Best day in the mountains so far though. .
Ritchie Williamson
wrote on
June 28, 2011
Best scramble yet, traversed the ridge on Saturday in fairly miserable weather (but no rain) and as such spent most of the walk in the clouds with limited visibility. Still, it was an amazing day, want to go back and do it again on a clear day so I can get some good views. Legs still hurt form the climb, but I'm guessing Ben More on a rainy day was not the best warm down the day after!
william giffen
wrote on
August 15, 2010
walked the ridge yesterday for my first time although i am a compitent hill walker this was something a little different but was in the company of one bob laing who has been climbing in glen coe for nearly 40 years and done the ridge 20 times . was confident and enjoying it till we reached the pinnacles where upon my heart sank and fear touched on me but with bobs guidance i completed this tricky section and one of the best feelings in my life took me as i looked back over the way i had come . will remember this day for the rest of my life all i can say is "go do it !!!"
James Corrigan
wrote on
November 23, 2009
Crossed this magnificent ridge twice.First time in glorious conditions Sep` 2008.It was crowded and you had to form a line to cross.Sept 2009 saw us do it in rotten weather but hey, we had the entire ridge to ourselves.
Robert (Bob) Christine
wrote on
October 14, 2009
Aonach Eagach Ridge route. Exciting,challenging day .Not one for the inexperienced unless you have a good head for heights and can cope with extreme exposure at times. Some places where rock was slippery made one really focus . Let's be honest here . Any failure to successfully execute the task immediately to hand can result in disastrous consequences. Found the descent from Am Bodach more challenging than anywhere else on the ridge. Getting too old for this kind of climbing and scrambling . Should have done it 40 years ago.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

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  Route Write-Ups
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