
Anyway, I'd wanted to hit Glencoe ever since I started hillwalking in April 2011. I remember spending all summer looking over walk reports for so many hills in the area and trying to decide which ones to do and whether or not Aonach Eagach was within my grasp yet. Eventually decided that going up Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach with my dad would be the perfect introduction to the area.
We had started the walk about 10am I think, the times on my camera and phone I think were messed up for this walk so not sure 100% of how long it took and when we started/finished, etc. I was immediately mesmerised by the area anyway and wasted a lot of time at the car park and for the first hour or so just looking around me and taking photographs. As expected, the piper was there too playing for all the buses of tourists that came and went quick as you like.

Two of The Three Sisters by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Starting off up Coire nan Lochan by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
I remember the path up until this point was well laid out with many rocks making easy steps to walk up which surprised me but it must attract a lot of tourists so they've made some effort to let them walk up part of the hill easily I guess. By this point we were starting to get better and better a view of the Aonach Eagach ridge behind us. When you see it from this close in real life instead of just pictures you really appreciate how amazing it looks.


Slippery Surface by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Good place to cool down! by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Am Bodach (943m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
After a couple of hours we reached the sort of plateau below Stob Coire nan Lochan which gave a great view of the hill and ridge in front of you. I kinda wanted to just run straight up the middle of it but it looked a wee bit too scree-y for that so had to follow the prescribed WalkHighlands route and veer way to the right to attack it from the North ridge. We stopped for lunch here and had a great view over Glencoe for the period as the cloud wisped about around us. And as expected when up this far north, we spotted a few fast jets out for a jaunt but couldn't get them on camera!
The rest of the ascent from here was pretty spectacular viewing. The huge drops and high pinnacles were amazing to look at. I was really taken aback by it all and wanted to just hang about the area and climb on them but alas I could not, we had actual Munros to climb and this wee hillock was just a stepping stone to that.

Billy and Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Glencoe by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Aonach Eagach by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Looking down Coire nan Lochan by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Near the top of Stob Coire nan Lochan, the cloud shifted and we eventually got a view of the final ascent to Bidean nam Bian which looked brilliant. From this direction it looked pretty steep and treacherous!


Bidean nam Bian (1150m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

On top of Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1072m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
The ascent to Bidean nam Bian ended up being pretty easy. Looked worse than it really was. Got to the top though and there were loads of people there all sitting around the cairn. This is a pet hate of mine now as I like to take photos at the top and not have them spoilt by some strangers sitting on the cairn.


Lost Valley Buttress by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Lost Valley by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1072m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

No Going Back by Rossco 7, on Flickr
The rest of the walk up the ridge to the summit was pretty easy, there in no time, and not really that much to ascend either. Munro number two for the day done and just the long walk back to the car through the Lost Valley to deal with now. And what a never ending descent that was. It went on forever, but the closer down you got the better the view of the Lost Valley got. A huge flat section of land right in the middle of these two hills, it looks quite bizarre when you are standing at the bottom looking across it. And even better when at the other side looking back up where you came from.

Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1072m) summit and Bidean nam Bian (1150m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Lost Valley by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Looking back up the Lost Valley by Rossco 7, on Flickr
We mucked about here for a while, my dad telling tales of previous excursions up here and I tried and failed to climb the big house sized rock. It was a bit wet n slippery so that’s my excuse!

My dad went first and being so old and hardy, he just calmly walked through the water slow as ever. Amazing I thought, it must not be that cold after all. So I got my boots n socks off, tied them around my neck so I had my hands free in case I slipped and jumped in.



Big Rock by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Get yer boots aff! by Rossco 7, on Flickr

"IT'S FREEZING!" by Rossco 7, on Flickr

"Aw crap!" by Rossco 7, on Flickr
From here, we got our boots back on and started back down the path. We wasted a bit of time at the Lost Valley and crossing the river so it was getting dark now. I had a small torch with me which helped but it was then I realised a proper head torch was necessary for this kind of situation. (Which I only just got last week, three months later!) Near the bottom of the path, there is a rope to help you descend as it's on quite large flat rocks that in the wet could be pretty dangerous. We got down here fine though, crossed the bridge and were back at the car eventually, in pitch black! As we walked back though, a car had pulled up having noticed our car was still there so late at night. I think they got a fright as we appeared from the night but it's good to know people would stop to check in such a situation.

Getting a wee bit dark now by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Thankfully, we had the caravan over at Duror so didn't have a long drive home that night. It was a great day out though and some amazing hills to start me off in Glencoe. Can't wait to get back up there as it's a different world from the Loch Lomond/Crianlarich area I'm used to.
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1304429