Stob Ghabhar & Stob a'Choire Odhair - My best views so far!

[lomondwalkers]

Did this route clockwise as I wasn't sure how I'd cope with the mini AE ridge, and wanted to get to summit of Stob Ghabhar for those views I'd read about....I wasn't disappointed... the views were breathtaking, and the ridge was short and sweet and actually very enjoyable. Cheers to Tenbob, who I met on the summit of Stob Ghabhar, for the big cheer on his descent when he seen I'd made it across

Parked up at Victoria Bridge Carpark, not a cloud in the sky, it was going to be a day to remember!!

Followed the short path from the carpark that joins the WHW, then over the bridge, left at the house, and past some signs which you don't want to see if you are doing the WHW

Carpark

Go left....life is peaceful there

Signs

Already the I'm in awe of the view

View ahead

Continue along the track and you get to a wee green hut, and the path you want is just past this at a pole with a strange attachment, possibly there was dwarf karaoke on the night before...

Green Hut

Dwarf Karaoke???

... and my first target is in front of me in all its glory

Stob Ghabhar

It's easy going to the split in the path, which isn't overly obvious, though most people would probably carry on to Stob a'Choire Odhair anyway. My path to the left leads down and across the Allt Toaig then heads up to a seriers of very nice waterfalls and pools, which I would imagine would be even more impressive in more normal Scottish summer weather!

From here, the views all around aint too shabby at all, with the Orchy Munros behind me, the Cruachan Munros to my left, and target number two on my right

Beinn an Dothaidh & Beinn Dorain

Cruachan Range

Stob a'Choire Odhair

As height is gained, the views just keep getting better and better, keeping you going as things get increasingly steep towards the summit

Stob Ghabhar summit & crags

Beautiful!

then you get a sneaky view North, which makes you almost want to sprint to the summit!!

Ooft!!

then a wee reminder that there could be trouble ahead, with the mini AE ridge still to come

Aonach Eagach

Then you reach the summit and WOW!!!!!! What a summit!!!

Unfortunately, the midgies were out in force and I didnt hang about the summit for long, but I will most definitely be back later in the year, hopefully under the same skies but without the pesky wee s****s!!! Retraced my steps down to AE with Tenbob who had just completed both Munros, he assured me the wee ridge was fine, tho there would be alot of loose scree on the descent off the ridge. At worst I'd say the exposure on the ridge itself was very mild, even managed to stop and take a few pics. The scree down the side of AE was alot more tricky, and care was needed descending this

Back to summit

The Ben over The Bookil

Ridge

Down to the Lochan

Cairn on top marks end/start of ridge

Scree slope

You get a great view of Stob a'Choire Odhair on the descent to the Bealach, and an idea of the substantial re-ascent to come

Scree slope

The ascent up Odhair is fairly straight forward on a good path, with great views over to Creise & Meall a'Bhuiridh. Once on the summit, Rannoch Moor stretches out for miles in front of you, and you get a great idea of the amount of water on its surface. Unfortunately, I've run out of attachments so can't post them

I stopped here for some sarnies and chocolate, reflecting on a truly magical wee day. This was by far the best solo day on the hills I've had, the views were better than anything I've seen before, (although I've seen on other reports on these two that the views from The Steall Hills is even better, so bring them on!!!)

Straightforward descent down the zigzag path which meets up with the path from Coire Toaig and then eventually meets up with the ascent path alongside the Allt Toaig. What a day!!!!

[PeteR]

Great report and some amazing pictures You certainly had a great day for it, with some amazing views Loved doing these hills when I did them and the views from Stob Ghabhar are just amazing Did the mini AE ridge with snow, which was great fun

[lomondwalkers]

Cheers Peter, the views in winter on a clear day must be phenomenal!!

[RicKamila]

Some of the best photos and views I have seen. Thanks for sharing them

[lomondwalkers]

Cheers Rick, one I'd definitely recommend for a clear day. You just wouldn't want to miss those views

[147cjl]

Stunning day and great pictures. I've seen the dwarf karoake poles on other walks and wondered what they were. Now I know

[pollyh33]

I passed these hills last month when I doing the WHW. The weather was identical to yours- it was a hottie!!!

Brilliant clear photos and great report. I hope you're really chuffed with yourself, I notice your munro count is increasing a fair old rate

PS want to head back up there now, not for the hills .... just for the singing dwarves!!!

[lomondwalkers]

Stunning day and great pictures. I've seen the dwarf karoake poles on other walks and wondered what they were. Now I know

Walking doesn't get much better than this!

[lomondwalkers]

I passed these hills last month when I doing the WHW. The weather was identical to yours- it was a hottie!!!

Brilliant clear photos and great report. I hope you're really chuffed with yourself, I notice your munro count is increasing a fair old rate

PS want to head back up there now, not for the hills .... just for the singing dwarves!!!

Can't wait to do the WHW, must have been awesome in weather like that!!

Your Munro count aint looking too shabby either, 22 is the magic number

I can't wait to get back up this one when its not swarming with the wee beasties, thats the midgies, not the dwarves

[monty]

Excellent set of photos lomondwalker
Thats a nice walk in superb weather. You didn't get a photo of the dwarfs though

[lomondwalkers]

Excellent set of photos lomondwalker
Thats a nice walk in superb weather. You didn't get a photo of the dwarfs though

Cheers Monty

[SusieThePensioner]

Loved this report, brought back memories from long ago Great photos aswell. I've got a Nikon D60 that I've now had for 3 years (was one of the lightest cameras)