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High hopes for this walk today, a reputation as one of the classic Scottish hillwalks.
My intention was to bag all 4 Black Mount Munros but in the end I only managed 3, missing out on Stob a Choire Odhair due to fading light. I didn't know what the terrain was like on the descent so didn't fancy finishing with a headtorch.
I think that traditionally this traverse didn't include Stob a Choire Odhair or Creise so depending on your point of view I either added an extra Munro or missed one
I also think that traditionally the route is from South to North, but I chose to go in the opposite direction.
I got a lift to the Glencoe ski centre car park and followed the path on Meall a Bhuiridh underneath the chair lift.
- Under the first chair lift
I continued up the hill by following the roadway under the left hand ski tow and then cutting across to walk underneath the final ski tow which finishes close to the top of Meall a Bhuiridh.
- Left (Eastern) ski tow
- Top ski tow
- Top of the lift system
It's just a short climb from there to the summit, leaving behind the ski area for altogether wilder terrain.
- Heading for the top of Meall a Bhuiridh
- Summit Meall a Bhuiridh
There was wispy cloud as I headed down to the bealach and up to the Clach Leathad ridge. Some of the descents later in the day would turn out to be far more challenging.
- Bealach across to the ridge
After reaching the ridge it's a short walk to take in Creise summit.
- Approach to Creise
- Creise summit
The views over Rannoch Moor, the near peaks of Glen Etive and Glencoe and wider views beyond give a real sense of being immersed in The Highlands. There were quite a few walkers out today. It felt as if everyone had been waiting for a bit of decent weather and on this walk it's definitely the case that the views make it a walk to remember.
I headed back the short distance from Creise to where I had climbed onto the ridge and then carried on towards Clach Leathad. I reached the wind shelter cairn and had my lunch.
- Approach to Clach Leathad
- Clach Leathad summit cairn
The drop down from Clach Leathad to the Bealach Fuar-chathaidh was steeper and rougher than I had anticipated and it took me longer to get down than I imagined.
- Descent to Bealach Fuar-chathaidh
- Crossing Bealach Fuar-chathaidh
I was relieved to cross the bealach and climb up onto the Aonach Mor ridge. The views of Stob Ghabhar and surrounding crags and corries opened up as I went.
- Approaching Stob Ghabhar summit
- Stob Ghabhar summit
- Mountains in all directions
From the top of Stob Ghabhar I descended the Aonach Eagach. Not as challenging as it's Glencoe namesake but demanding full concentration and care nonetheless.
The final part of the descent towards Coirein Lochain is very steep and loose with some large loose rocks. I would have been pretty uncomfortable if there had been anyone above or below me on this section.
- Steep with loose rocks
On reaching the 668m point on the bealach I had to decide between carrying on over Stob a Choire Odhair or heading down beside the Allt Toaig. In the end I decided I had taken too much time over the two most difficult descents of the day and that Stob a Choire Odhair could wait for another day
- Stob a Choire Odhair would wait for another day
