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Son, Daniel, and I had managed the early rise and the run up from Cowdenbeath had gone well. We had an fairly early start on our walk, leaving the car park at Victoria Bridge at 8:45am. It was already good daylight as we headed up the track beside the Abhainn Shira.
- Early morning on the Abhainn Shira
Our first landmark was the Green Hut at Clashgour. It was time to head north towards the hills.
- The Green Hut
Soon both Stob Ghabhar and Stob a'Choire Odhair came into view.
- Stob Ghabhar and Stob a'Choire Odhair
The waterfall to our left, on the flanks of Stob Ghabhar was to be out final descent route later in the day.
- Waterfall on Stob Ghabhar
We left the Allt Toaig behind and made our way up the stalkers path on Stob a'Choire Odhair. The zigzags made the going easier and we started to gain height in a serious way!
- On the zigzag path.
Soon the view was opening up to the mountains to the east of us.
- Southern Highlands
There was some rocky ground to cover.
- Towards the summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair
But with a final push we were at the summit.
- The summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair
There were great views from here. We were looking down on the great expanse of Rannoch Moor - and we couldn't help noticing the faint wisps of cloud starting to form way below us!
- Rannoch Moor
The mountains of Glencoe and the great bulk of Clach Leathad stood out to the west.
- Glencoe and Clach Leathad
We spent a little while at the summit, taking photos and admiring the view. Then we began our descent westwards towards the great elephantine bulk of Stob Ghabhar.
- Stob Ghabahr from Stob a'Choire Odhair
In a matter of minutes whispy trails had formed into more serious clouds and we began to wonder if we were going to loose the great visibility we had enjoyed until now.
- Clouds forming
So we pressed on down - hoping the weather would hold and beginning to think about having a bite to eat!
- Heading down
And we did find a great lunch spot in the bealach - out of the wind and in the sun! It took quite a bit of effort to get going again!
- From the bealach
But we had a hill to climb and we headed towards the steep path up onto the Aonach Eagach ridge.
- Heading for the ridge
The dark green lochan hid from the sun in the corrie below.
- Coirein Lochain
We weren't quite sure what to expect as we'd read this was a steep and awkward ascent. It was steep and it was rocky.
- Climbing to the ridge
But we both actually rather enjoyed it, and within half an hour we had gained some 300 metres in altitude and were standing on the misty crest of the Aonach Eagach Ridge.
- On the ridge
Now what would this ridge have to offer? What was the narrow section going to be like? Would we see anything in the mist that surrounded us? The last question was answered first as the cloud parted and the ridge was instantly clear!
- Looking along the ridge
A short walk took us to the notch and the narrow section ahead. It didn't look too bad, but yes, it was quite exposed! Nothing like the Aonach Eagach Ridge of Glencoe though!
- Along the Aonach Eagach Ridge
There were some jagged bits - but there was always a good way through.
- Jagged bits
We made our way along the ridge, enjoying all the ups and downs!
- Ups and downs
Once we were over the narrow part it was a short walk to the summit of Stob Ghabhar. By now the hill fog was rolling in and there were only occasional glimpses of blue sky.
- The summit of Stob Ghabhar
There were brief breaks in the circling clouds to mountains in the distance.
- Mountains through the clouds
We had enjoyed a break for some food in the wind shelter just below the summit - and we had waited for a little while to see if the cloud would break. But now it was time to descend as it was getting later in the day. The clouds ripped through the gap below us as we descended from the summit.