Garbh Bheinn dash.

[JimboJim]

A quiet Sunday looming and decent forecast had me looking at a local hike. Eventually opted for something a bit bigger and further from home, which I had thought on a few times, to add to my list of Corbett's. Garbh Bheinn, Kinlochleven.

Ready to set off. Torran nan Crann, the first target.

Everything pretty much as per route on WH's, including using the alternative car park.

Across to Am Bodach and Na Gruagaichean, rising above Mamore Lodge.

Initial start point just a bit tricky to spot at first and was a splishy, sploshy, splashy as described, as is the steepness and unremitting climb, which soon opens up great views back to Loch Leven and Sgorr Na Ciche - not the one and only Pap

Stob Coire Sgoilte, next top on the way up.

The steep rise up Stob Coire Sgoilte, a lot steeper than it looks.

The brief level stage was most welcome, before tackling the imposing final steep climb up Stob Coire Sgoilte, to the summit. Passed a couple descending who had seen a Golden Eagle, which I hoped to spot.

Ridge up.

Walkers on the Aonach Eagach.

The rocky stuff would be easy enough to scramble, though I by-passed on the way up. One slightly airy move, which was probably avoidable, then onto the summit, which is surprisingly large and flat.

Across to the Mamores and BN, beyond.

Pano of the Mamores.

The views are superb as one can imagine, in all directions, able to pick out folk on various summits and along the Aonach Eagach ridge.

Down to Kinlochleven.

From the summit, out to Blackwater and Schiehallion.

Lot of ants on the summit of the Ben, today :)

The fine looking Stob Ban.

Yours truly.

After a few pics and some grub, it was about turn and back the same way. Much to my delight, I saw the eagle, or perhaps two, although a fairly long way off. I'm no expert, but I reckon it was indeed a Golden Eagle and not the Sea variety.

Nice view out to Ardgour.

Coire Cam, and Aonach Eagach Ridge above.

Stob Coire Sgoilte, from above.

Mamores, etc.

More Mamores.

Looking down on Loch Leven

Stob Coire Sgoilte on the descent.

Watch the birdie, or just try and spot it :)

I didn't hang around on the descent, which didn't take long. The thought of a nice beer and home smoked mackerel in Andy and Carol's back garden on a cracking day, might have lured me on

Sgorr na Ciche (The Pap of Glencoe).

Another view of the Pap and Loch Leven.

Others on the top of Stob Ban.

I was much surprised to see the clock stop on three and a quarter hours, going by the times alloted on WH's, which seem quite generous. I saw someone make the same point on a different report, so it's no' just me

Fine waterfall.

Was a nice drive home and still managed to make my rendezvous overlooking the Chisel Loch, for fine food and fluids We will remember 2020 for sure!

[PeteR]

This is a cracking hill, so some great views, particularly to the AE ridge I thought. Did it as a "Plan B" one winter a few years back.