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Sgurr a' Mhaim

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
1099 m (3605 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.
NN16486673
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
51 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
2
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
Rocky peak of the large rounded 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
Sgurr a' Mhaim is one of the more northerly Mamores and part of the Ring of Steall. It is connected to the other Mamores by its narrow S ridge, the Devils Ridge.

The northern slopes of Sgurr a' Mhaim are more complex with four ridges NE, NNE, N and NW, all overlooking Glen Nevis. These ridges are steep and craggy and should be avoided.

The slopes of Sgurr a' Mhaim are generally steep and boulder strewn. Normal access is from the path in Coire a Mhusgain onto the W slopes of the NW ridge or via the Devils Ridge from Sgurr an Iubhair.

Hazards you may encounter on Sgurr a' Mhaim include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 
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 Sgurr a' Mhaim

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
Ben Nevis
by Metcheck
Sgurr a' Mhaim Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

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 Where to Stay
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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Sgurr a' Mhaim.

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

 Routes that include Sgurr a' Mhaim
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1748 m 16.85 km 6.5 hrs Sgurr a' Mhaim, Am Bodach, An Gearanach and Stob Coire a' Chairn  This is "The Ring of Steall" strenuous due to steep slopes (ascent and descent) and excellent ridge walks with moderate exposure.  
2 1227 m 10.16 km 4.5 hrs Sgurr a' Mhaim  A strenuous climb on steep slopes and an excellent ridge walk.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Sgurr a' Mhaim

 Baggers Gallery for Sgurr a' Mhaim

Top of Sgurr a Mhaim 10.08.12

© Dave Smith

Image by Dave Smith

Me & Dot at the top of Sgurr a' Mhaim

© Alexander McMillan

Image by Alexander McMillan

Near the top of Sgurr a Mhaim with Stob Ban in the background

© Steve Marlow

Image by Steve Marlow

top of sgurr a'mhaim

© Colin Mochan

Image by Colin Mochan
View All 15 Baggers Images for Sgurr a' Mhaim
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Recently Climbed By
Daniel Carter on 08 Sep 2023

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 Shared Members Track Logs

Post a few words about Sgurr a' Mhaim or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
James Corrigan
wrote on
July 26, 2012
The final Munro on the Ring of Steal if you do it clockwise.The interesting part is the drop from Am Bodach on to Sgurr an Lubhair and in to the Devils Ridge.Here you can find yourself hugging some large boulders or if that turns you off there are escape paths round the obsticles.There are a couple of airy drops to be negotiated so be ready for this.Views on to East Stob Ban are stunning.When the technical stuff is out the way it is a striaght forward slog to the summit of Sgurra Mhaim. and its scree ridden summit.The path back to Poldubh is a knee slaming experience on loose scree until you reech the Deer style..It would be hard going coming up this path.Nice feeling knowing you have just done The Ring of Steal.
Lee Paterson
wrote on
July 23, 2007
We did the route clockwise starting from An Gearanach,which was easier than trying to find a path from the wire bridge to the ridge on Sgurr a' Mhaim. It also gave us the scramble up to the summit of Am Bodach, rather than trying to scramble down. The Devils Ridge was great, in wet or windy weather it would have been a bit risky! Took the NNE ridge off Sgurr a' Mhaim down to the car park at Polldubh. The scree and twisting path are hard on the knees, especially when you are tired, I twisted mine, which made for a slow descent. Still my best walk yet tho! 2 cars are better for this route.
Craig Coid
wrote on
July 11, 2004
For what opinions are worth, the Ring of Steall is best walked anti-clockwise; go up the Nevis Gorge, cross the wire bridge and strike up the hill on your RHS to a gap in the trees. Go further left from here and pick up the ridge to the top of 'Mhaim. From here the ridge walk is a fantastic walk. The Devil's Ridge is more impressive this way but best of all is the easy arete scramble towards the summit ridge of An Gearanach; doing the walk clockwise will miss this out. You don't want to miss it! Great fun, great views and a real day out. Give yourself 7-9 hours dependent on weather and fitness.
Ivor Bennett
wrote on
June 12, 2004
This defines the meaning of steep! sunny day and wonderful views all over Glen Nevis especially the Ben and Stob Ban against a bright blue sky. Bouldery scree a bit of a nuisance at the top. Views outstanding, including the Devil's Ridge - a route for those who think they're mountaineers rather than walkers I feel. Looking back from the car park the shoulder is impossibly steep - a real achievement.
Jan-willem Brokamp
wrote on
November 24, 2003
Had a tricky approach over Devil's ridge. We were the first ones of the day, and with knee-deep snow hard to find a path. Thankfully it was clear weather with great visibillity, with bad visibility and snowy conditions this ridge isn't one to try (unless you enjoy ice-climbing). And it was worth it, from the summit some wonderfull views over Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis directly opposite.
 
 

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