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Mam Sodhail

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
1181 m (3874 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.
NH12012531
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
14 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
Large rounded hill of the barn
 

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
  25   Glen Carron & Glen Affric
 

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

  Description
Mam Sodhail and Carn Eighe are twin peaks on a crescent shaped ridge of mountains which enclose Gleann a' Choilich. Mam Sodhail has a triangular pyrimidal summit cone at the convergence of three ridges.

The longest ridge runs ESE 3.5km to Sgurr na Lapaich (1036m, not the Munro!) and is a possible ascent route. To the N a short narrow ridge connects to Carn Eighe. The third ridge (SSW) leads to two longer ridges (SE) which enclose Coire Leachavie and Corie Coulavie. A path in Coire Leachavie ascends to the SSW ridge 500m from the summit.

Hazards you may encounter on Mam Sodhail include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 
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 Mam Sodhail

Mam Sodhail from Carn Eige. The massive summit cairn cam be seen on top. March 2007.

© David McSporran
Image by David McSporran

Looking along the SW ridge of Mam Sodhail towards the top of Sgurr na Lapaich. March 2007.

© David McSporran
Image by David McSporran

Approaching Mam Sodhail by the ESE Sgurr na Lapaich ridge.

© Graham & Joanne Bullen
Image by Graham & Joanne Bullen

Mam Sodhail seen from the slopes of Carn Eige.

© Jim Ramsay
Image by Jim Ramsay
View All 15 Images for Mam Sodhail

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

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

  Weather & OS Maps
North West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format) 		West Highlands
by Met Office 		Ladhar Bheinn
by Metcheck
Mam Sodhail Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

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

  Where to Stay
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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Mam Sodhail.

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

  Routes that include Mam Sodhail
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1994 m 32.05 km 10 hrs Carn Eighe, Mam Sodhail and Beinn Fhionnlaidh [Glen Affric]  Strenuous route with good approach path but some steep slopes to ascend.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Mam Sodhail

  Baggers Gallery for Mam Sodhail

Roy and John at the big tower in sunshine.

© John Forster
Image by John Forster

Final summit of the day with Carn Eige in the background. 26/06/2012

© Eileen Stark
Image by Eileen Stark

James with Carn Eige and Beinn Fhionnlaidh (our first two climbed) to the rear. 26/06/2012

© Eileen Stark
Image by Eileen Stark

A rather windblown Wee Black Dug at the summit of Mam Sodhail. April 2011.

© Scott Blair
Image by Scott Blair
View All 12 Baggers Images for Mam Sodhail
The logging section stores any entries for Mam Sodhail in your own log. From here you can
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  Logging
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Recently Climbed By
Allison Mackay on 27 Jul 2024
Keith Chalmers on 02 Jun 2024

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Post a few words about Mam Sodhail or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Alan McIntyre
wrote on
August 8, 2011
Great day but a long one. Here is one good tip to avoid climbing carn Eighe twice. One the col is reached between Sodhail and Eighe, contour down and around the boulder field to reach Stob Coire Lochan. Then climb Fhionnlaidh. Then return and climb Eighe. It saves climbing Eighe twice.
Elliott Harbottle
wrote on
April 12, 2009
Enjoyable day, I went up Sgurr na Lapaich first along the ridge to Mam Sodhail, I was glad I did this as I gained some height early rather than the guide book idea of going up Gleann nam Fiadh. I then traversed by Carn Eige to save a bit of climbing before returning to it after Beinn Fhionnlaidh and then along the fine ridge before coming off from the 1131 top which took some time in the snow. Take time finding a crossing point of the river on the way back, I got bored trying to find one and ended up just jumping in.
Chris Bowles
wrote on
March 26, 2008
The route over Mam Sodhail, Carn Eighe and Bheinn Fhionnlaidh is a long but rewarding day. A bike cane be used up to the foot of Sgurr na Lapaich before taking the good path up towards the top of Mam Sodhail. The last part of the ascent becomes quite rocky but once at the giant cairn all the effort becomes worthwhile with great views of the Afrric and Mullardoch hills. Carn Eighe is less than an hours walking from the summit and to inlcude Findlay's hill will require a tiring re-ascent of either of the aforementioned peaks.
Peter Lang
wrote on
May 14, 2007
Great high camp spot on col SW of summit, nice grassy pitch at 3500ft
 
 

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

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