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This was day 3 in the hostel at Kinlochleven and for a change the forecast was favourable.
The 8 of us were splitting into small groups and I got the short straw as my company for the day was the unique Mr Smith and Miss selfie herself, Kerrie.
Parminder was flying solo and allegedly managed Bidean nam Bian and neighbour, he even showed me photo's to prove it.
As I had already been up Bidean twice and didn't fancy doing it again, I took the opportunity to tackle Creise and neighbour. Over the odd alcoholic beverage Steve & Kerrie offered to join me, so that was sorted.
After the long day yesterday, there was no rush to leave early, the eastern end of Glencoe would only take about 30 mins to get there.
We arrived at the ski centre car park and it wasn't very busy and we were soon on our way.
First selfie of the day and we haven't even left the car park
You don't need to worry about missing or losing the path as I counted at least 4 hand made signs indicating the way uphill for walkers
Low level look back, chair lift not busy
All smiles
The way ahead and the path doesn't look that obvious
Gaining height fairly quickly
Time for a pose
Rannoch Moor
A socially distanced photo
Gaining height now, the A82 looking tiny
The way ahead, if you are able to zoom in you will notice a bride & groom on the hill ahead
The sunken bridge - over a raging torrent
The Big Bookil looking stunning and guarding the entrance to Glencoe
The way up and ahead to the boulder field
Kerrie spoiling a good photo
Now on the boulders, looking down on the wee hill where the bride and groom were
Pit stop, what the photo's don't show is how blowy it was, so it was time for the wimps to put on jackets and gloves
Entrance to Glencoe from slightly higher
Head down - otherwise your cap is away
Steve obviously taking his time
Steve on the move again, Rannoch Moor in the background
The renovated Kingshouse Hotel can now be seen
Summit of Meall a' Bhùiridh
Steve indicating that he has now managed 05 or 50 Munro's - you decide
Selfie time
Lunch time and this was our view, the summit acted as very good wind break
Looking south
The cloud was whistling through
Kerrie having a chat with the hillside
Atmospheric shot to the south
Looking across to Rannoch Moor over some of the chair lift paraphernalia
Looking towards Bridge of Orchy
Interesting cloud formation
The way down and ahead, nice broad ridge which was just as well as the wind was a tad gusty
Romping down the hill
Taking care
It looks like we don't have far to descend
Kerrie wanting to dance
The way up and ahead
Glad I took this photo looking down the glen. We would descend down the grassy slope on the left, down to the base of the glen, cross the raging torrent and then traverse along the boulder field on the right. That would save us retracing our steps.
Looking back up to the summit of Meall a' Bhùiridh
Another shot of the rocky traverse we would undertake, that would bring us out on the original ascent path
Wild bluebells?
Cloud descended on our first summit
Kerrie looking impressed with the casual pose
The wild woman of Creise
Kerrie rushing up to the summit of Creise
Steve doing a bit of hopping before posing again
Posing - one thing he enjoys and is good at
Looking east across to our first summit
We are going to descend down there
I had managed to keep my new boots fairly clean
Steve trying to master the art of descending steep grassy slopes
It doesn't look that steep
The Paisley descending technique
Kerrie descending down a different bit but is making her way across
Posing again
Kerrie trying a different descending technique, one slight problem you end up with a green rear end
Still a bit further to go, plan was to stick to the grass
I was obviously making good progress as my colleagues are getting smaller
I was near the bottom now
Looking at the traverse ahead
A video of my colleagues and a quick spin round the glen, it got a wobbly towards the end as the wind nearly blew my cap off
Another pose
A lovely clear pool, only deep enough for a paddle
Kerrie had allegedly banged her knee, it gave her the opportunity to be Parminder's deputy and start moaning about boulders and rocks
Concentrate
This photo shows the angle of the traverse we were tackling
Looking back
Big Bookil just appearing
Chair lift much busier now
Camera photo of the bride and groom
Camera photo of a small herd of female deer
A few borrowed photo's
What a fabulous day, a massive thanks to Steve and Kerrie for their superb company and banter. The weather was behaving for a change, the wind was a problem but definitely didn't spoil the day.
