Checking the night before i could see that there was a very high chance of getting a view from these two Munro's and there was only a slight chance of rain BUT according to the weather reports there was also a chance of 80mph gusts
I decided to go for it despite some of the route being on an exposed ridge and the severe wind warning,knowing that if it got too bad i would turn back.
The walk starts from the carpark at Polldubh,i arrived at 8am and the weather was looking ok,the tops seemed clear but it was fairly breezy,even at carpark level so after spending half an hour getting kitted up i was on my way,a quick photo of the waterfalls was taken before heading into the hillside and up the well worn path where after only 10 odd steps i slipped on the boggy ground and fell
a quick check to see no one had spotted my less than gracefull slip and i was away again,plodding up the path at a more relaxed pace than normal.- the view up toward Stob Ban from the start of the path
The path is easy to follow up into the glen and its gradient is also very easy going,to my left An Gearanach was dominating the views and brought back memories of the day myself and Tam followed people off of the wrong side to reach the steall bridge,what an adventure that descent turned into! Then as you continue up the glen Stob Ban comes into view and what a view it is,stunning!
- the view of Stob Ban opens up
The weather was holding out but at times the gusts of wind were pushing me off the path and it was at the fore front of my mind as i neared the bealach.Upon reaching the top of the path the wind was alot stronger but nothing too worrying yet and as i turned to head up the initial ascent to Stob Ban,the mountain itself made a grand appearance,it looks fantastic from this side although my first reaction was "geez,that looks mega steep" The views south had also opened up and it gave me the thought that today was going to continue to be a great walk with views in every direction.
- the final ascent to Stob Ban appears
- looking down toward the Aonach Eagach ridge
As i reached the final ascent to Stob Ban through the rocks the incline didnt seem to bad but because of the wind i stayed further from the edge of the hill than normal and 2 hours after leaving the van i stepped onto the summit and was blown away by the views.Ben Nevis was still being coy and hiding in the cloud but the 'ring of steall' was now apparent,i could even see the akward bit on the devils ridge,An Gearanach was proudly showing itself and looking west i could see the walk out to Mullach nan Coirean,the second Munro of the day.i sat on the summit,taking a 20 minute break to have some coffee and a snack while taking in the views and absorbing the surroundings and something that was written by astrid on a walk report recently came to mind
"When we reconnect with the natural world around us, we are focused. Time stands still because we are in the moment. In the present real time. No past, no future. Just the here and now"
i couldnt agree more as i sat there,taking it all in and enjoying the peacefull remoteness that hillwalking serves up.
- the summit of Stob Ban
- the 'Ring of Steall'
- Ben Nevis
- the ridge walk to Mullach nan Coirean
I'll admit,i had to drag myself away from the summit,probably due to the fact that upon heading to Mullach nan Coirean i would be finishing the Mammores which had started with an ascent of Na Gruagaichen in blizzard conditions almost a year to the day and that i might not walk in these fantastic hills for a good while.
Off i went down the path and it was a very enjoyable walk despite the gust of wind knocking me off my feet every so often and again i stayed off of the ridge for safety reasons.The walk to Mullach nan Coirean was fairly short with gentle inclines and before i knew it i reached the second summit of this glorious day,Mullach nan Coirean.
- looking back to Stob Ban,on the way to Mullach nan Coirean
- Mullach nan Coirean summit
Upon reaching this summit the wind picked up and the gusts were throwing me about,it was difficult to stay standing so i huddled in to the summit cairn to enjoy my lunch and get some shelter from the elements,still absorbing the surroundings and the beautiful views i was getting.i sat for a while hoping the wind speed would ease but it showed no signs of letting up,infact the gusts seemed to be getting stronger so i cautiously set off down the narrow ridge,occasionally having to stop and hold onto some rocks to prevent myself from being blown over the edge and once i got further down and as the ridge broadened the wind died down which was a relief.the path down to the forest soon became very boggy and slippy and slowed down my progress.
- the path to the (felled) forest area
After a while i reached the stile and entered more boggy ground where the trees have been felled,which was murder to walk through.there are bits of the path here which have been re-done and are very good but for the majority its a bog-fest until you reach the track which takes you into the forest and once at the end of this,just as it turns back on itself i took the path down through the forest toward the road which comes out a short way from the carpark.
after getting changed i left the carpark with a heavy heart,the Mammores have provided 4 days walking for me and i loved every one of them,they were all done in different weather conditions.the first time in the snow and blizzards where i got to use my crampons for the first time on Na Gruagiachen,before taking the wrong route off due to the snow and no visibility,
- Na Gruagaichean summit last november
- our route off of Na Graugaichean
then there was the eventfull descent from Sgurr a' Mhaim and crossing devils ridge after walking the ring of steall in the cloud
- the devils ridge on the ring of Steall
- our descent route....mental!
and the 3rd day where myself and Tam had a great day walking Sgurr Eilde Mor, Binnein Beag and Binnein Mor,a day where i took one of my favourite photos ever of Sgurr Eilde Mor and will never forget the views of the pap of Glencoe as we walked out to the lodge.
- Sgurr Eilde Mor,stunning!
- the Pap of Glencoe
The Mammores are a special place with great hills and scenery and an area i will look forward to walking in again,although it may be a while before i get back here to enjoy some more fine days walking but i'll never forget the days i've enjoyed here and the memories will last forever
Great memories from earlier this year when I was enjoying the self same view 
