Walkhighlands

The weather for Friday 22nd was forecast to be good (is that why it was called Good Friday) and it certainly lived up to the name. I arrived at parking area (NN170568) just before 8.00am as a hazy sun was just rising behind Stob nan Caber and Stob Coire Raineach and was hopeful of some decent photo opportunities as the day progressed. Setting off just about bang on 8.00am.....within 30 minutes took my first ...Ahem!....photo break at approx (NN161561) At the top of Coire nan Lochan (approx NN155553) the suggested route skirts NW onto plateau North of Lochans but I chose the relatively straight forward scramble ahead onto plateau South of Lochans then a walk NW to join track for Stob Coire nan Lochan. The route to the summit was a real ankle breaker and I lost the track on a few occasions as it weaved through / over the boulder field and after what seamed an eternity the summit cairn was reached where someone had laid a meaningful message / memory of I would assume a loved one (I straightened up and turned it a bit for you) then took some shots from summit...
From the summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan the route to Bidean nam Bian looks daunting and my first thought was how the hang am I going to get up that...was there some other way that I couldn't see.....Eh! NO... the assent was a lot less daunting than photo would have you believe...that said it was a tough old haul to the summit.
After reaching and wandering about Bidean summit I noticed a cairn off to the West (approx NN141542) so headed off on said direction to tick the box and then back up to summit and headed for Sgreamhach and in doing so forgot to take the Bidean cairn shot.
The ridge between Bidean and Sgreamhach gives superb views down into the lost valley as does the assent of Sgreamhach... Whilst at the summit I joined debates on the practicality of the Red Scree gully due to being snow filled and that first 100 feet or so was pretty steep (refer again to 0483 & 0505 JPG's) ......some headed off along Beinn Fhada in search of a route down into the Lost Valley, but I and others chose to try the gully. The first quarter of the descent was very steep and every step was firmly planted, but once past the rocky section at quarter way down, it bum down feet up and off down the gully in no time. after that the walk out seemed to take forever.... when almost on valley floor attention was drawn to an RAF rescue hellicopter which had entered the valley and initially gave impression of looking for someone, but after a few circuits and stops it looked to more like a training exercise ...after it despersed it was on with the walk out back to the car.... ...... a good day with variations and another double at the end of it.

Regards................B

Magic ! Some fine shots especially the shot over Fhada et al, a nice image. Thanx for posting

I did this walk in the reverse direction to yourself last year. I really enjoyed it, youve got some great pictures of it, brings back the memories.

Nice report Bruadair and great pictures I have a soft spot for the lost valley, as this is where I first tried out this hill walking lark and caught the bug.

Have done these two in reverse your route a couple of times and will be back, hopefully for a bit of a winter walk. Persuaded eldest step son to join on this route once. The decent off stob coire nan lochan seems to have left an impression on his legs. He hasn't been out with me since

Well done on getting to the two. Myself and Suhowfar had a go a couple of days before and made good progress until we came to about 200 yards from the top of Stob coire nan lochan and had to turn back. We met a group of three who had been brought up around glencoe and had done the AE the previous day and I was concerned about getting back down as the Lost valley route was a no no and so didnt want to risk the chance of not getting down , and so turned back. Shame because it was a great day but we loved the walk up and will be back later in the year.

Great report B and some cracking photos, the haze can be a pain most times but the shot looking E/SE across sun hazed Beinn Fhada, Buachaille Etive Beag & Buachaille Etive Mor is greatly enhanced by it, really great pic

soulminer wrote:Magic ! Some fine shots especially the shot over Fhada et al, a nice image. Thanx for posting

Thanks Soulminer...............Your comments are appreciated.

Regards...............B

kw1980 wrote:I did this walk in the reverse direction to yourself last year. I really enjoyed it, youve got some great pictures of it, brings back the memories.

Thanks kw1980.............. I'm not sure I would have a liking for reverse of route as there's tricky descents off Bidean and Stob Coire nan Lochan and not sure the old shock absorbers would be up to it.......but glad to have brought back some memories for you.

Regards........................B

OOooOOOoo.... I liked this report B.

Pictures are great and this pair together look a fine walk/scramble/bum hop

PeteR wrote:Nice report Bruadair and great pictures I have a soft spot for the lost valley, as this is where I first tried out this hill walking lark and caught the bug.

Cheers PeteR.........How the hang the MacDonalds got the russtled cattle up there is beyond me.....so being to my belief of there being no choppers (the flying ones) around at the time... my theory is it was calves they blagged and carried them up.

Have done these two in reverse your route a couple of times and will be back, hopefully for a bit of a winter walk. Persuaded eldest step son to join on this route once. The decent off stob coire nan lochan seems to have left an impression on his legs. He hasn't been out with me since

I imagine this would be a toughy in winter.......I can relate to an impression being left in your step sons legs, especially coming of Stob Coire nan Lochan....it was torture going up and would hate that descent at end of a walk.

Regards....................B

Jockstar wrote:Well done on getting to the two. Myself and Suhowfar had a go a couple of days before and made good progress until we came to about 200 yards from the top of Stob coire nan lochan and had to turn back. We met a group of three who had been brought up around glencoe and had done the AE the previous day and I was concerned about getting back down as the Lost valley route was a no no and so didnt want to risk the chance of not getting down , and so turned back. Shame because it was a great day but we loved the walk up and will be back later in the year.

Thanks Jockstar..............Shame you didn't make it as it really is an excellant walk......but the hills aren't going anywhere.....and if your not sure, then it's always best to leave for another day......I'm sure you'll get back up there soon.

Regards...............B

ChrisW wrote:Great report B and some cracking photos, the haze can be a pain most times but the shot looking E/SE across sun hazed Beinn Fhada, Buachaille Etive Beag & Buachaille Etive Mor is greatly enhanced by it, really great pic

Thanks ChrisW................Yes sometime haze can be a pain and the Ben was hazed out in another shot.....but it seems to work with noted photo......lucky I guess.

Regards..................B

Merry-walker wrote:OOooOOOoo.... I liked this report B.

Well Thank You MW............glad you liked it.

Pictures are great and this pair together look a fine walk/scramble/bum hop

Yes it was a fine walk with some cheek clenching scrambles / a little bum hopping & an absolutely super slide..........definately worth a visit.

Regards.............B

Well done, great report & pics. When i did these two it rained all day & i couldn't see a thing, so on the list of must do again on a better day.

Regards

Jonny

jonny616 wrote:Well done, great report & pics. When i did these two it rained all day & i couldn't see a thing, so on the list of must do again on a better day.

Regards

Jonny

Thanks Jonny..................I would say definately worth revisiting on a good day...wouldn't be so sure when snow covered....and hats off to those who have.

Regards.................B