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Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:37 am
by davgil
I was inspired to attempt this route by walk reports from monty and dooterbang so thanks guys!

Left Gourock, quick stop at Tesco in Port Glasgow then on my way just after 4.00 am.
Parked, geared up and walking by 6.30 am.

How hard could it really be?
13.5 hours and 29.1 kilometres (18 miles) later I would know :shock:

Even with a pack full of water and Lucozade Sport I knew I’d never have adequate fluids for this length of walk
so my plan was to take it easier than usual and enjoy a long day on the hills.

About 5 minutes after starting out, crossing the first bridge, I was pleasantly surprised by the sight of a large Stag standing still, mid stream. I stopped and watched him for around 10 minutes before setting off again.

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Easy route to follow in clear weather although I missed the second bridge and had to back track slightly to cross the river.

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My plan was to complete the first 3 Munros then decide whether or not to add the next 2.

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Looking back down Glen Etive.

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Quite a long ascent to Ben Starav summit but easy going.

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Waited here for a while to get some photos as the cloud was coming and going,
opening up some beautiful views down Loch Etive.

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I continued down to the bealach then headed off to Beinn nan Aighenan, a steep but quick and easy ascent.
I pushed hard on this one as I realised I had taken it too easy and wasted quite a bit of time on Starav,
being aware however that it was getting hot and I was losing a lot of fluids.

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Looking back I noticed a lone figure coming up behind me, we met on my return and it was
Robert Phillips whom I’d met a few months ago on Ben Vane. Turns out he had the same
plan as me and was going for the five as well.
I stopped for lunch at the bottom then returned to the bealach to start the ascent of Glas Bheinn Mhor.
Robert soon appeared behind me having come up a slightly different route. We chatted and ended up
doing the rest of the route together. It was good to have the company as it turned out to be a long day.

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We met a few other walkers on route who were all surprised that we were doing the 5 in one day.

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Robert on our 5th summit of the day, Meall nan Eun.

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The descent from Meall nan Eun was relatively easy terrain but slow and hard going as my knees and feet were now aching big time. Glad to get the main descent over, it was a long painful walk through the glen to the cars.

There was nothing difficult about this walk apart from the distance which just about got me in the end.
I was fine apart from the aching knees and feet. Hats off again to monty and dooterbang for their incredible times.

Thanks to Robert for his company as it made the long trip a little easier.

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:45 am
by Stretch
Fabulous stuff there mate! My legs are hurting just reading that, heck of an effort!

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 11:56 am
by ChrisW
That's an incredible walk captured with some beautiful photos, great to see that stag mid water and the 'Looking back down Glen Etive' shot is one to grace any wall. That is hell of a one day walk :shock: congratulations on completing :D

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:18 pm
by monty
Excellent report Dave,
with some tremendous photos. Its a big round and does take a fair bit of time. Sometimes its better to slow down a bit on bigger rounds to conserve moisture and energy. It is a long walk out though. :lol: Love the photo of the Stag in the water and the bridge seems magical. :D

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 12:37 pm
by rockhopper
Epic stuff - well done on such a big day :clap:

Your pictures are great and very helpful in showing the approach and terrain - haven't been walking in Glen Etive yet but really must get it into the plans having read your report :D

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 7:10 pm
by PeteR
All five in one day :shock: Well done. I've done four in two trips so far and have een surprised both times how much the walks have taken out of me. Loved the stag in the water 8) A great picture to capture.

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Thu Apr 21, 2011 9:53 pm
by yokehead
Great job and congrats in doing all the 5, a real long day out. Brilliant report and superb views, cheers! :D 8)

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 12:06 pm
by davgil
Thanks guys, much appreciated :D

I must admit it's taken a few days to recover from that one!

David

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 7:58 pm
by robertphillips
Well done david great report the stag photo looks brillant,my legs were sore the next day couple days rest and then done 5 m and 1 c at pitlochry yesterday and today, going to glencoe on monday :D

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 9:55 pm
by Labdad77
13.5 hours..... that's a long day.

As everyone says, great shot of the stag. I also really like the two pics looking down at Loch Etive, they give a great perspective of the height gained.

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:43 pm
by les83
I did the Starav 3 in one go two weekends ago and found that to be flamin hard work, so fantastic effort doing all 5 in one day! I'm not at that level yet/now.

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 10:20 pm
by brpro26
Fantastic trip report..an epic. Now the photos....have you tweeked them in any way because the clarity and definition is stunning. That's no point and squirt camera I would guess. What's the secret to quality photography like that.???

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 8:18 am
by Johnny Corbett
Good effort and superb photos. I too am inspired to do all 5 in a day after reading the 3 reports but in reality i will probably break them down to 2 or maybe 3 outings. It's allways good to read an epic report, well done.

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 1:56 pm
by dooterbang
Brilliant effort, time dosn't matter....its about be out and enjoying it.

You had a great day for it.

So all the mamores in one day next :D

Re: Ben Starav 5

PostPosted: Mon Apr 25, 2011 6:09 pm
by jimandandrea
Excellent report with stunning photos. :thumbup:
We wimped out after 2! Our excuse was the clag hence no views although I think it is more likely we were knackered as it still took us all day. So all the more impressive that you did an epic 5 - well done :clap: