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Home   Glossary

An Gearanach

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
982 m (3221 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.
NN18776698
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
166 of 283 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
The complainer
 

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.

You can click on the map name to purchase the map for £6.29 including postage which is one of the cheapest prices we have found.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  41   Ben Nevis, Fort William & Glen Coe
Only £6.29  (£11.69 Laminated) from  

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

 Description
An Gearanach, one of the more northerly Mamores, is part of the Ring of Steall. This circular route around Coire a' Mhail is named for a waterfall that cascades into Glen Nevis.

An Gearanach and its southerly neighbour An Garbhanach are connected by a high col (950m) on a very narrow ridge. The N slopes of An Gearanach are more complex with three ridges projecting into Glen Nevis, which run NE, NNE and NNW. The access path from Glen Nevis is on the NNW ridge.

Hazards you may encounter on An Gearanach 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.
 
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.

Climb a Munro

Climb a Munro this year and help raise money for charity. Visit www.macmillan.org.uk for details

Picture Gallery for An Gearanach

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)
Nevis Range
by Accuweather
West Highlands
by Met Office
Aonach Beag
by Metcheck
An Gearanach Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

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

 Where to Stay
Results by distance 'as the crow flies' from An Gearanach
Please check the provision of roads in the area.
4.8 km
MACDONALD HOTEL AND CABINS, KINLOCHLEVEN
Fort William Road, Kinlochleven
10.5 km
Farr Cottage Lodge and Activity Centre
Corpach, Fort William
10.8 km
Stobhan
Fassifern Road, Fort William
10.8 km
Calluna
Heathercroft, Fort William, PH336RE
11.7 km
Glencoe Independent Hostel
Glencoe, Nr Ballachulish, Argyll
12.7 km
Coorie Doon
Old Banavie Road, Banavie, Fort William
14.2 km
The Old Coach House, North Ballachulish
6 Alltshellach Cottages, North Ballachulish
14.6 km
Sealladh Na Beinne
Old Town, North Ballachulish, Fort William
14.7 km
Glenloy Lodge
Muirshearlich, by Banavie, Fort William
15.3 km
Inverour Guest House
Roybridge Road, Spean Bridge
16.2 km
Bunroy Park Caravan/Camping/Holiday Lodges
Roy Bridge, Inverness-shire
16.6 km
The Stronlossit Inn
Roy Bridge, Inverness-shire
18.0 km
Àite Cruinnichiodh
1 Achluachrach, By Roy Bridge, Inverness-shire
18.3 km
Glencaig self catering holiday cottage
No 6 Stronaba, Spean Bridge
For information on camping visit
ScottishCamping.com who also produce
a map of scottish camp grounds.
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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include An Gearanach.

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

 Routes that include An Gearanach
  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.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of An Gearanach

 Baggers Gallery for An Gearanach

Owen and me atop An Gearanach on a horrendous day of torrential rain, October 2010

© Michael Hill

Image by Michael Hill

Me on the ridge

© Lynn Macrae

Image by Lynn Macrae

An Gearanach, first Munro of the day

© Samantha Munro

Image by Samantha Munro

An Gearanach summit, 1st of the day on the Ring Of Steall

© Brian Corrigan

Image by Brian Corrigan
View All 15 Baggers Images for An Gearanach
The logging section stores any entries for An Gearanach in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  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
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Valerie MATHESON-MACIVER on 30 Apr 2011
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Mark Smith on 20 Apr 2011
iain watson on 16 Apr 2011
David Yorston on 09 Apr 2011

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

Post a few words about An Gearanach or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Alex Bryce
wrote on
September 26, 2010
Wire bridge was fine when we crossed (late Sept '10). The bogs a short distance further for terrible - muddled through the boulders and trees on the right to avoid. The An Garbhanach section is very narrow and exposed in parts but very simple scrambling - basically fine IF you've a head for heights. Would also recommend an anti-clockwise route. The tricky route finding up Sgurr a'Mhaim will be far easier in ascent.
Adrian Laishley
wrote on
June 2, 2010
The Wire bridge has now been closed due to damage on the lower cable on far side of river one to watch out for after heavy rain.
Roger Vander Steen
wrote on
September 23, 2006
If approaching An Gearanach from the wire bridge, the route is initially very water-logged. During a fairly dry spell (13th September 2006) a comfortable alternative was to ignore the bridge and stay on the path. Very soon the river bends to the right away from the path. Follow the river for 120 m to a ford. I was able to use this without wetting the insides of my boots. Follow the other bank eastwards for 200 m to a rowan tree, then turn right to join the path up the hill.
Craig Coid
wrote on
July 11, 2004
This is the best part of the whole Ring of Steall; for best enjoyment, leave this Munro to last and do the Ring anticlockwise. The easy scramble up the arete of An Garbhanach is great fun and the ridge traverse over the top to An Gearanach is superb- exposure is present the whole way if you stick with the ridge line. This is a great Munro, in a great situation; the views are magnificent, even on a reasonably clear day. Do the 'Ring' and have a great day out in the mountains!
Kathleen Haddow
wrote on
July 3, 2004
Brilliant ridge walk that requires strong knees! The wire bridge is a little daunting especially for the vertically challenged but overall no real difficulties. The time is pretty optimistic though it took us 8hrs. We did the route in reverse, tackling Sgurr a Mhaim first. (N.B. Munromagic times are a minimum and exclude breaks, Ed. )
 
 

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

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

 Route Write-Ups
There are no Route Write-Ups submitted for An Gearanach
 
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