In reply to Dan Bailey - UKHillwalking.com:
> Looks very logical: possibly one of the shorter ways to do the traverse if you're returning to the base at Harris at the end.
Thanks Dan, that's the idea.
> I've not climbed Barkeval from this side but do not think it would be difficult. However I have done the traverse in that direction including an out-and-back to Barkeval at the start and a descent from Ruinsival to Harris at the end. An entertaining way to do that descent is to backtrack a bit east from Ruinsival summit to pick up a ridge that drops north (obvious on the map) into the Fiachanis corrie. Lower down on the ridge is some nice mid grade scrambling, which you obviously have to do in descent. Adds a wee bit more mountaineering ground to the day, but nothing you'd find taxing if you'd already happily done the scrambling sections direct on the main ridge
I reckon by the end of the day, my group will just be happy to drop easily down to the tents
The gap in the crags to the west looks the obvious choice, but I wondered about the north ridge.