More Big Hills! The Ben, Aonachs, Corries and Tops

[weaselmaster]

Allison's Tops continue to dominate the choice of mountain at the moment. She needed a few up and around The Ben, so we chose to include some of the Munros for old times sake. Drove up as usual on Thursday evening, intending to camp at the half-way lochan up The Ben. As we were parking overnight, decided to use one of the lay-bys on the road to the visitor centre - only half a km further to walk and free... Sat in the car having our tea then packed up and set off along the road. It would have been around 7.30 when we walked through the visitor centre and onto the hill path. Still busy, lots of people coming down, some just going for a wander. Met a couple coming down we were sure we recognised from WH although couldn't put names to faces. We were hoping that there wouldn't be too many others camping at the lochan, and were a bit concerned when we spoke to a Yorkshireman who asked if we were going to camp "at the tarn": he said there were a number of other tents there. As it happened, they were all at the far end of the lochan, little green ones which we guessed must have been part of an expedition of sorts. We found a spot at the path end and had a quiet night, except for the rescue-copter making the rounds about midnight.

IMG_2544 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2546 by Al, on Flickr

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Our plan wasn't ambitious - simply to get the two Carn Dearg tops taken care of, with a visit to the summit as well. I often leave the tent up if we're going to be coming back the same way, but I didn't dare today - so many people going by, sure to be some thieves, miscreants and other devious sorts around. So we lugged our gear up with us. It's strange, claiming The Ben when you are surrounded by people who don't normally climb mountains. It was fairly busy, with loads more people coming up behind us, as you might expect for a dry day in July. Clag was sitting at the top, as we left the pony track and headed over to the first of the Carn Deargs. Amazing how quiet it can suddenly become when you leave the beaten track. We headed over to the summit, just as the clouds lifted. Sat and had lunch at the memorial, surrounded by all manner of detritus - pained stones (which thankfully seem to be dying out elsewhere) even a framed picture to someone's departed dad.

IMG_2549 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2550 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2552 by Al, on Flickr

Clear at the top! Who'd have believed it
IMG_2554 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2556 by Al, on Flickr


Our next objective was the more demanding second Carn Dearg that involves a drop of 250m through scree then a climb back up. The path through the scree is more distinct since I did this first time round - we left our packs at the top of the descent and took our time. Then back onto the pony track and the long, long descent. We were passed by a girl in shocking pink skin tight leggings - the kind that give your arse an uplift apparently , according to Allison. Quite a sight. We reached the bottom about 4 and decided to go to the Ben Nevis Inn for a pint, which was much appreciated.

IMG_2557 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2558 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2560 by Al, on Flickr


Then along the road to Sean Bridge and the rickety road to Corriechollie. Surprised to see only one car in the parking areas. I suggest we walk along to the dam and camp there - my plan was to climb the two Tops to the NE of Aonach Mor. I've done those as an out-and-back twice before - this time I wanted to see if it was possible to climb onto Aonach Mor from the Tops ridge. We ambled along through the woods, the wind dropping away and the midges coming out to play. Not a great number of pitching options by the dam/works but we found a spot below some trees that sufficed. Midges were suddlenly bad, so we zipped up quickly and went to sleep.

IMG_2562 by Al, on Flickr

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The forecast was for clag to be down on the tops til between 1 and 2pm on Saturday, so we didn't hurry to get up in the morning, in fact it was almost 10am before we set off up the grassy slopes of Tom na Sroine. Just a slog, some squelchy bits but the ground in general a bit drier than of late. Better under foot when we got on to the back of the ridge itself - we had lunch at the first MT (918m). We deliberately dallied as the clag was refusing to budge from the last 200m or so of Aonach Mor. Whilst the map looked kinda ok, I didn't really want to find we had a crag band right at the lip of the summit to prevent us getting up. We sauntered along to Stob an Chul-Coire, then onto new territory beyond the Top. There was something of a path through the blocks and boulders which led us to the small bealach with Aonach Mor. Clag remained stubbornly above us. We followed an animal path up, avoiding some looming crags. The last 60 or so metres to the summit were on very steep grass - nothing tricky, just very steep, then we were out onto the plateau. Great!

Up Tom na Sroine
IMG_2563 by Al, on Flickr

Stubborn cloud
IMG_2565 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2567 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2570 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2573 by Al, on Flickr

Topping out
IMG_2574 by Al, on Flickr


Over to the summit cairn on Aonach Mor, meeting a few folk coming the opposite way as we walked towards Aonach Beag. It's not that long since we were last up here, just last May, so kinda familiar. What was occupying my thoughts was how to get across to Sgurr Choinnich Beag from here. I knew there was a "path" off Stob Coire Bhealaich that gets used for the Ramsay Round, but I didn't fancy going off there if it was clergy, especially with big packs. The gully just before Sgurr a'Bhuic looked fine on the map - again would it be alright in reality? Clag was still down when we passed over Stob Coire Bhealaich, so nothing doing there. But by the time we'd descended to Sgurr a'Bhuic, it had lifted and there was nothing tricksy looking down the gully. We went for that.

Aonach mor
IMG_2575 by Al, on Flickr

Sgurr a'Bhuic
IMG_2580 by Al, on Flickr

Big Ben
IMG_2581 by Al, on Flickr

Grassy gully
IMG_2584 by Al, on Flickr


It's a steepish descent, but nothing problematic provided you go straight down. We were on the look out for a camp spot somewhere before Sgurr Choinnich Beag - the forecast was for strongish winds from teh NE over night. We found a somewhat soggy patch of heather near a stream in Coire a'Bhuic and decided to have an early finish - it was about 5pm by this time. Not the best pitch ever - a steepish slope from heads to feet. Hear the rescue copter out twice in the evening, once over by The Ben.

Sgurr Choinnich Beag
IMG_2585 by Al, on Flickr

Sgurr a'Bhuic and the descent gully
IMG_2587 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2588 by Al, on Flickr

Decided to get up a bit earlier on Sunday - it was sunny and looked like it would quickly clear up top. Packed away our gear and set off up to the bealach with Sgurr Choinnich Beag, where there's a clear path up the hill. Broken Spectres in the clag below us as we ascended. Some lovely atmospheric scenes of the Amores and of the Corries ridges. From Beag over to Mor then a careful descent down the fractured rocks to Bealach Coire Easain. We then picked our way up the blocks to Stob Coire Easain and onto the ridge proper. Clag was sitting on the north side of the ridge, great views to the south. We reached Stob Coire an Laoigh and decided to have an early lunch there, some other folk came up from the eastern side. The on along the ridge - a fine day for a ridge walk although really warm as the afternoon progressed - why it was almost like summer!

Binnien Mor
IMG_2591 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2592 by Al, on Flickr

Aonach Beag
IMG_2594 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2600 by Al, on Flickr

Corries ridge
IMG_2605 by Al, on Flickr

Sgurr Choinnich Mor
IMG_2609 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2615 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2616 by Al, on Flickr

Robot head
IMG_2618 by Al, on Flickr

IMG_2619 by Al, on Flickr


After Stob Coire Claurigh we headed out and back to Stob Coire nan Ceannain which, unlike the others on here, I'd only done twice and one of those times was a crazy scramble up from the Lairig when we'd done the Innses - no doing that again! I have no particular aspirations to do a third round of Tops once I complete the second round (three left) but I suppose it's always possible that I'll change my mind...

IMG_2620 by Al, on Flickr

Now it was time for the long descent off the back of Stob Coire Gaibhre. I was feeling dead beat - probably the heat, just not used to it you know? I sat down for a bit and checked the news. Saw that Trump had narrowly missed being assassinated. My first thought was "where's Lee Harvey Oswald when you need him?" I continued down and caught up with Allison and we slowly made it back to the car, which was, inevitably , parked in the lower parking area. I was dreading the drive home, expecting long tailbacks down the side of Loch Lomond, but it was actually alright, until a breakdown in Dumbarton slowed traffic a bit. Still, home in time for the football - I wasn't even going to grudge England a win if they played well enough to deserve it.

[rockhopper]

Another productive weekend trip - well done. Various options for these hills but adding on AM and AB to the Grey Corries does look like a rather nice loop.

[weaselmaster]

Another productive weekend trip - well done. Various options for these hills but adding on AM and AB to the Grey Corries does look like a rather nice loop.

Cheers, RH. I was quite pleased with the way it worked out. Now I know the terrain it could have been done in one long day with the benefit of a daypack rather than heavier overnight packs, but we did enjoy the camp out in the middle.

[dav2930]

Interesting report with some great photos. Your route around the Aonachs and Grey Corries brought back memories for me from June 2001 when I did almost exactly the same route, also over 2 days and also camping near the col between Stob Coire Bhealaich and Sgurr Choinnich Beag. Only difference was I descended directly to the col from SCB, which felt decidedly precarious with a big pack, and camped just over the other side of the col above Coire Bhealaich. I had enjoyed fine weather on the first day, but it started raining in the night and I was greeted by thick clag in the morning, which I remained in until well down off Claurigh. A memorable trip, but I missed the views from the Grey Corries entirely. Your photos persuade me that I must go back!

[weaselmaster]

Interesting report with some great photos. Your route around the Aonachs and Grey Corries brought back memories for me from June 2001 when I did almost exactly the same route, also over 2 days and also camping near the col between Stob Coire Bhealaich and Sgurr Choinnich Beag. Only difference was I descended directly to the col from SCB, which felt decidedly precarious with a big pack, and camped just over the other side of the col above Coire Bhealaich. I had enjoyed fine weather on the first day, but it started raining in the night and I was greeted by thick clag in the morning, which I remained in until well down off Claurigh. A memorable trip, but I missed the views from the Grey Corries entirely. Your photos persuade me that I must go back!

Thanks! Yes i was a bit apprehensive about how easy it would be to link the two with a big pack. Pleased with the way it worked out. That was the best weather we have had for the Corries out of four visits: i had forgotten how good they were. Was almost tempted to drop down and do Stob Ban too, but wouldn’t have had the legs for that, unlike the first time we did the hills 11 years ago.