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Carn Mor 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
1220 m (4002 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.
NN17757217
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
9 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
Large red cairn like peak
 

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
Carn Mor Dearg lies on the E arm of the horse-shoe ridge that includes Ben Nevis and it is normally climbed with "The Ben". It has steep rocky slopes, some of them craggy, on its E and W flanks.

The ascent of Carn Mor Dearg is normally made from the path up Meall an t-Suidhe to the W or the path by the Allt a' Mhuillinn into Coire Eas, and joining the Carn Mor Dearg ridge N of Carn Dearg Meadhonach.

If you enjoy a scramble, and have a head for heights, continue S then SW on the ridge which becomes narrow and rocky, to form the CMD arete, and ascend the E shoulder of Ben Nevis. An ascent is possible via the E ridge of Carn Mor Dearg, but not recommended.

Hazards you may encounter on Carn Mor Dearg include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 Narrow Ridges, with exposure.
 Scrambling (minor), easy hand and footholds.
 
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 Carn Mor 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
Carn Mor Dearg
by Metcheck
Carn Mor 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 Carn Mor Dearg.

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

 Routes that include Carn Mor Dearg
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1778 m 16.68 km 6.5 hrs Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg  This is a more difficult ascent with some exposure and scrambling, but it avoids most of the crowds and gives a taste of real mountaineering. Navigate with care, this is a dangerous mountain for the unwary.  
2 1600 m 14.18 km 5.5 hrs Carn Mor Dearg  A moderate route, giving excellent views of Ben Nevis. Not Yet Rated 
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Carn Mor Dearg

 Baggers Gallery for Carn Mor Dearg

Jelly McBaby on the summit cairn of CMD with Nevis behind.

© John Stalker

Image by John Stalker

Me on top of CMD with Ben Nevis as a backdrop on 6th August 2011 (the hottest day of the shortest summer in history).

© John Stalker

Image by John Stalker

Me at the summit of Carn Mor Dearg with Ben Nevis in the background.

© Derrick Reid

Image by Derrick Reid

Ben Nevis in the background

© James Mcphate

Image by James Mcphate
View All 22 Baggers Images for Carn Mor Dearg
The logging section stores any entries for Carn Mor Dearg 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
  4. Delete your log entry
 Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Alan Puckrin on 01 Dec 2023
Doug Morris on 08 Jun 2023
Brian Williams on 14 May 2023
Sc Joss on 07 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
 
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by David McSporran
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Brian Doolan
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Alasdair Cairns
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Keith Waugh
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Markus Wirth
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Douglas Mason
Carn Mor Dearg
by William McGilvray
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Stevie Yates
Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis
by Michael Yates

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

 Comments
 
Douglas Hazlie
wrote on
August 3, 2011
The route up the Ben via CMD is a great climb, avoids the crowds and gives great views of the Ben. HOWEVER, I do think most people would struggle to do it in 7.5 hours that this website suggests. I took 9.5 and didn't exactly hang around although I did take a few photos. Also, the arĂȘte isn't quite as challenging as some guidebooks make out. Still need to take care though but anyone who is reasonably fit can do this route
James Corrigan
wrote on
October 11, 2010
Took the route North on to Carn Mor Dearg in clear weather for a magnificent walk.The Ben put on a magical show through the fast moving swirling clouds.Highlight was the long boulder scramble along Carn Mor Dearg Arete.The climb to the Ben from here is steep and testing but ends suddenly and the top is there as if by magic The summit of Ben Nevis was mobbed out with folk as you would expect on a Sunday.We only met 8 other folk via the North route.
 
 

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
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 03 Mar 2012 Ben Nevis via the CMD Arete Paul Proudfoot Carn Mor Dearg and Ben Nevis Not Yet Rated
2 08 Jun 2012 Day 1 Help 4 Heroes Challenge William Youngman Ben Nevis and Carn Mor Dearg Not Yet Rated
 
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