These two Munros form the northeastern part the Black Mount range, rising above the head of Glen Etive opposite the better known Buachaille Etive Mor. This route ascends via the White Corries ski slopes. Meall a'Bhuiridh appears rather undistinguished seen from Rannoch Moor but its elegant west ridge is revealed from Creise, itself the high point of a dramatic ridge running from Sron na Creise in the north through Clach Leathad to Sron nam Forsair.
Summary
A straightforward Munro round in good conditions; there is some boggy ground, large boulder fields on the ascent of Meall a'Bhuiridh, and a steep rocky climb to the ridge of Creise.
Terrain
NN266525
Grid ref
10.5km/6.5 miles
Distance
Grade
Safety warning: Hillwalking when there is snow or ice lying requires ice-axe, crampons and the ability to use them. Some featured routes can become technical ice climbs. Check out our Winter Skills information provided by the Mountaineering Council of Scotland.
Glencoe Mountain Ski Centre ski centre car park at White Corries
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1. These two hills look fine from the Kinghouse Hotel, where the northern end of the Creise ridge descends dramatically in the crags of Sron na Creise. This offers a classic route of ascent but requires both a river crossing and a difficult, exposed scramble. The route described here is more straightforward. Turn south from the A82 as it crosses Rannoch Moor onto the minor road to the Glencoe Mountain Ski Centre and follow it to the ski car park at White Corries. Begin the walk by heading up under the chair lift with the Allt na Giubhas to your right - only the laziest walker would pay for a ride up to avoid this steep start!
2. At the top go to the right of the little building and then cross a bridge over the stream. Follow the track for a short distance then head west down slightly to a level boggy area. Continue across pathless terrain, keeping south of the burn and crossing some little tributaries, until you reach the foot of Meall a'Bhuiridh's north ridge. Climb quite steeply SSW up onto the broad ridge, which becomes progressively steeper and more bouldery as you go. There are good views of the Creise ridge rising above the Glas Choire.
3. Eventually the slope eases and the rocky summit of Meall a'Bhuiridh is reached. Before you lies the great gulf of Coire an Easain. The views are superb; far below is the little Loch an Easain, and directly opposite are the cliffs of the Clach Leathad ridge. The vast expanse of Rannoch Moor stretches to the east, with Schiehallion clearly seen in the distance. Southeast the line of the West Highland railway is visible below the steep slopes of Beinn Achaladair.
4. Now head west southwest down a well-defined ridge to a col. The rocky slope in front of you looks forbidding but should present no difficulty except in winter conditions. Climb it to reach the middle top of the Creise ridge. Then turn north and ascend the easy slope to the summit of Creise. The scree-covered slopes of Meall a'Bhuiridh to the east add drama to the view here, with Rannoch Moor still visible behind. Buachaille Etive Mor is prominent to the west on the other side of Glen Etive.
5. Return by the outward route. Before heading back it is worth diverting southwards to visit Clach Leathad, the southern top of Creise. Until 1981 this was the Munro summit, but the latest survey by the OS resulted in its demotion in favour of Creise. Return back to the middle top to reach the ridge linking with Meall a'Bhuiridh. Reverse the route back over this peak and return to the start.
Route: Doug Tulloch
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