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A weekend when temperatures were forcasted to reach 15C (boiling after the cold winter months)
could not be missed and so on Saturday morning I drove towards Glen Etive.
Plan A was to climb the Munro Beinn Fhionnlaidh from a small car park, I started off from many years ago. This however proved impossible, as the car park was closed due to forestry work. Unsure what parts would be closed off or walk-able, I decided not to risk it and continued with plan B, the Corbett Beinn Maol Chaluim. On the plus side it was a hill I had never climbed before, so I wasn't particularly bothered.
My worry to find a car park was not an issue (even at 11:30am) as I was the only car when I arrived. Certainly the advantage of climbing Corbetts, as being alone on a sunny day in Glencoe is pretty difficult when you climb Munros.
- The small car park and the only way is up from here
I appreciated the walk description on Walkhighlands, as there was nothing that marked or looked like a starting point when I left the car. Climbing up the hill (steep right from the start) I stumbled upon a very faint path, which I followed. Unfortunately that disappeared pretty soon and from there onwards it was a pathless steep hill.
With the first blind summit behind me another one appeared and right in the middle a short yet a steep gully (easily bypassed) invited for nice scrambling which I happily obliged to do. It was really enjoyable so far, as the views were simply stunning.
- Oh so stunning views on the way up
- View back down towards the lochan
- Myself
Having scrambled up the gully I stood on the top and realized that the true summit was still in the far distance. Trodding on it was a bit hazy, but the other hills in the distance provided enough extraction to take my mind of the distance ahead. When the final summit came finally into view, I marveled at the pretty spectacular views towards the back side of Bidean, Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Fhionnlaidh in the distance.
- The scrambling part
- View back down
- Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and Beinn Fhionnlaidh in the distance
- Lochan close to the sumit
- Views
The summit was a bit of a letdown, with two small cairns and a flattish top, but I was glad I made it. Not wanting to linger long I walked back the way I came.
Back at the car I was looking forward to my planned camp (and nice hot shower) at the Red Squirrel campsite. It was pretty busy (at least for my standards) but I managed to find a quiet area for my tent.
- Campsite in the evening
Once I had a beer, dinner and shower I climbed happily in my sleeping bag and had a great night sleep.
A snorkel below Ballachulish Bridge
- The bridge and pier
Rising at 7:30 am during the next morning, the plan for the day was to go snorkeling at the old pier in Ballachulish. I had never known there was an old pier and after some research I learned that Ballachulish bridge had been build in 1975 and that until that time a small ferry operated below it.
It was a beautiful sunny day and having parked directly at the pier I got kitted up and entered the water. The current that ran from Loch Leven into Loch Linnie was pretty noticeable and I had to kick my fins hard, so that I did not drift backwards.
The underwater world was mix of large kelp, which I did not expect that much inland and the usual wracks (seaweed), that are commonly found in sea lochs.The next surprise was the large number of common sun stars I spotted. From juvenile to larger their red-orange and pink bodies are really pretty and not as commonly spotted as their name suggests.
- Bladder wrack
- Seabed
- Common sunstar
I continued along the coast and got to a large bay area. A number of sailing boats were anchored here and the deep water further out was a murky grey green.
- From the water back
- Sea urchin
The sunbeams that hit the water were however mesmerizing and I enjoyed swimming through it. It was incredible calming!
- Sunbeams
I continued towards the small island -Eilean na h-luraiche. It was rather pretty and on it's western side, loads of sea urchins and star fish clung to it's steep cliffs that dropped straight down to the seabed.
- Eilean na h-luraiche
I explored the bay and once my fingers and toes were pretty much frozen (not surprisingly in the 7C water) I swam back to the pier. My outing had lasted 1.5 hours, longer than expected and I was now starving.
- Myself
Driving back to the campsite I made use of the late check out I have received the evening before (thanks to the kind owner/warden) showered and packed my tent and headed back home. It had certainly been a great weekend and I could not wait for the next.
