Landslide on Glen Nevis to Steall Falls path

[prog99]

Apologies to anyone not on Facebook. Lochaber MRT posted this -
https://www.facebook.com/lochabermrt/posts/1081089981940204

Looks big and will be interesting to see the photos in daylight as to how much the route has been affected.

[helenw]

John Muir Trust (who own the path) are out today (14 Sept) assessing the impact of the landslide.

[Caberfeidh]

That looks nasty ~ I hope no-one was around when it happened. Is there an alternative route to the open area near the Steall falls?

[jmarkb]

Update: path likely to be closed for up to 5 weeks: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-37375070

Is there an alternative route to the open area near the Steall falls?

It should be possible to get there on the south side of the river: you probably need to gain a bit of height to avoid the gorge itself and then drop down to the meadow.

[Cairngormwanderer]

That looks nasty ~ I hope no-one was around when it happened. Is there an alternative route to the open area near the Steall falls?

JMT are recommending a route north of Meall Cumhannn - but only for experienced folk. http://www.mcofs.org.uk/news.asp?s=2&id=MCS-N11827&nc=Mountain Safety

[Caberfeidh]

Update: path likely to be closed for up to 5 weeks: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-37375070

Is there an alternative route to the open area near the Steall falls?

It should be possible to get there on the south side of the river: you probably need to gain a bit of height to avoid the gorge itself and then drop down to the meadow.

I tried a few years ago on the south side, but nearly plummeted to my demise in the foaming, rock-strewn gorge far below as I nearly walked off a convex boss of rock which had a path leading to it. It must have been made by mountain goats, or there was a heap of skeletons beneath it...

[jmarkb]

I tried a few years ago on the south side, but nearly plummeted to my demise in the foaming, rock-strewn gorge far below as I nearly walked off a convex boss of rock which had a path leading to it. It must have been made by mountain goats, or there was a heap of skeletons beneath it...

How many times have you nearly died?

[Caberfeidh]

How many times have you nearly died?

My life is one long series of near-death incidents. I remember one time when I had somehow become entangled in the harpoon-lines on the back of a great whale, me old shipmate Cap'n Ahab came to rescue me but he got entangled in my stead. Shame.

[jmarkb]

[Paul Webster]

We've updated the story as the path is likely to be closed for 2 - 5 weeks.

The story also gives an alternative route to get to the hills beyond Steall (though it looks very strenuous!!)

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/large-rockfall-on-path-up-nevis-gorge/0015441/

[teaandpies]

I wish I had witnessed this event.

[Caberfeidh]

I wish I had witnessed this event.

Not from too close ! I've often heard stone falls in the Cairngorms, but seldom seen them. Corrour bothy is the place to hear them rattling down the Devil's Point cliffs. Going through the Lairig Ghru and suddenly hearing that ominous rattle and knock made me dive for cover behind a big rock. It's surprising it doesn't happen more often, and with more dreadful results.

Tea and Pies runs for cover on the Steal Gorge path

[Caberfeidh]

Does anyone know if the remedy will involve blasting big rocks away from above the path? That would be quite entertaining to watch from a safe distance.

[teaandpies]

I wish I had witnessed this event.

Not from too close ! I've often heard stone falls in the Cairngorms, but seldom seen them. Corrour bothy is the place to hear them rattling down the Devil's Point cliffs. Going through the Lairig Ghru and suddenly hearing that ominous rattle and knock made me dive for cover behind a big rock. It's surprising it doesn't happen more often, and with more dreadful results.

Boulder.jpg

At a safe distance naturally

[gammy leg walker]

Does anyone know if the remedy will involve blasting big rocks away from above the path? That would be quite entertaining to watch from a safe distance.

I would love to see a 50 stone Fijian women trying to get to Steall Falls