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Walking amongst Glencoe Giants. Sgurr a’ Choise & Meal Mor.
Monday 26th March 2012
Sunny, hot! Calm.Well I had finally succumbed and bought the Grahams book a few months ago, and here I was in Glencoe again, so it was time to bag a few more to the handful l that I had already done….but I am definitely NOT going to try to bag them all……
The weather was fantastic, record temperatures were recorded in Scotland for March yesterday and today would possibly be warmer, I can vouch that it felt like it was, more like a very good day in July or August.
These two minnow’s could be combined to give a good outing and with the option of a lift later I could end up far from my starting point without having to road walk back.
We (including Ele my wife) started from Balachulish at 9.30am and walked up Gleann an Fhiodh, here I mused about the fond memories of my first Walkhighlands meet when we did the Balachulish Horseshoe, I can always remember as we reached the 1st summit being battered by driving hail and snow, Stretch reached me and said “this sure isn’t Florida!” Well my American friend it sure felt like it was today! What a contrast
. After a couple of miles Ele turned back, I continued not expecting to see anyone else for the rest of the walk, but when I crossed the river to start climbing towards the ridge I met a guy called Will who was off to do the Corbett Froachaidh, we chatted for 15 minutes before we departed in opposite directions along the connecting ridge. Although the map shows a path leading up from the Glen we never found it, so it was heather bashing until we reached the ridge. From there a path led easily to the 1st summit Sgorr a’Choise following old rusty fence posts through scattered bright white and quartzite rocks. I reached the summit at 11.30am, enjoying the great views, although these are small mountains, the views of the surrounding giants are wonderful
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The rock on the east side of Sgurr a’Choise is completely different, dark grey and black-like, this was soon left to drop down steep grassy slopes and now pathless for the rest of the walk. Part way down a high deer fence crosses seeming to bar your way, but there is a gap to allow walkers through. It’s a big drop between the two, dropping down to 375m, then more grassy slopes took me to the 2nd summit by 1pm. By now the whole of the Aonach Eagach was in view, and great views up Glencoe and of Bidean nan Bian, this is a fabulous viewpoint.
From there it’s a very steep drop down to Glencoe…I wouldn’t want to do this walk in the opposite direction with that in mind.
I was down to the road by 1pm, and really enjoyed this walk away from the fleshpots of the higher mountains of Glencoe.
Sgorr a'ChoiseNearing Sgorr a'ChoiseGleann an FhiodhGlen CreranSgorr a'Choise SummitSgorr a'Choise summit, looking WestDeer fence walking gapBidean nam BianBidean nan bian from Meall MorGlencoe from Meall MorGlencoeGlencoeGlencoeGlencoeNorth East ridge of Meall Mor, the way down.Just completed the video to go with this walk...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unbUIZ880G0&feature=youtu.be