Walkhighlands

Walking amongst Glencoe Giants. Sgurr a’ Choise & Meal Mor.
Monday 26th March 2012
Sunny, hot! Calm.



Well I had finally succumbed and bought the Grahams book a few months ago, and here I was in Glencoe again, so it was time to bag a few more to the handful l that I had already done….but I am definitely NOT going to try to bag them all……
The weather was fantastic, record temperatures were recorded in Scotland for March yesterday and today would possibly be warmer, I can vouch that it felt like it was, more like a very good day in July or August.
These two minnow’s could be combined to give a good outing and with the option of a lift later I could end up far from my starting point without having to road walk back.
We (including Ele my wife) started from Balachulish at 9.30am and walked up Gleann an Fhiodh, here I mused about the fond memories of my first Walkhighlands meet when we did the Balachulish Horseshoe, I can always remember as we reached the 1st summit being battered by driving hail and snow, Stretch reached me and said “this sure isn’t Florida!” Well my American friend it sure felt like it was today! What a contrast . After a couple of miles Ele turned back, I continued not expecting to see anyone else for the rest of the walk, but when I crossed the river to start climbing towards the ridge I met a guy called Will who was off to do the Corbett Froachaidh, we chatted for 15 minutes before we departed in opposite directions along the connecting ridge. Although the map shows a path leading up from the Glen we never found it, so it was heather bashing until we reached the ridge. From there a path led easily to the 1st summit Sgorr a’Choise following old rusty fence posts through scattered bright white and quartzite rocks. I reached the summit at 11.30am, enjoying the great views, although these are small mountains, the views of the surrounding giants are wonderful .
The rock on the east side of Sgurr a’Choise is completely different, dark grey and black-like, this was soon left to drop down steep grassy slopes and now pathless for the rest of the walk. Part way down a high deer fence crosses seeming to bar your way, but there is a gap to allow walkers through. It’s a big drop between the two, dropping down to 375m, then more grassy slopes took me to the 2nd summit by 1pm. By now the whole of the Aonach Eagach was in view, and great views up Glencoe and of Bidean nan Bian, this is a fabulous viewpoint.
From there it’s a very steep drop down to Glencoe…I wouldn’t want to do this walk in the opposite direction with that in mind.
I was down to the road by 1pm, and really enjoyed this walk away from the fleshpots of the higher mountains of Glencoe.


Sgorr a'Choise


Nearing Sgorr a'Choise


Gleann an Fhiodh


Glen Creran


Sgorr a'Choise Summit


Sgorr a'Choise summit, looking West


Deer fence walking gap


Bidean nam Bian


Bidean nan bian from Meall Mor


Glencoe from Meall Mor


Glencoe


Glencoe


Glencoe


Glencoe


North East ridge of Meall Mor, the way down.

Just completed the video to go with this walk...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unbUIZ880G0&feature=youtu.be

Nice report and pictures MS, Wheres all the snow???

Hi mountainstar'

Excellent picture's and what a great day you had.

some great pics there Alan

I remember these from the Glencoe meet. Would love to do them again. Particuarly a full traverse of Sgor a Choise like you did there. Better weather than I had for sure

mountainstar wrote:Well I had finally succumbed and bought the Grahams book a few months ago, and here I was in Glencoe again, so it was time to bag a few more to the handful l that I had already done….but I am definitely NOT going to try to bag them all……

Yeah whatever...just wait until you reach about 50. Bet you'll find yourself going for the next 50 then

An interesting walk and fabulous photos of those great views, Alan

Wherever you've been recently you seem to have been lucky with the weather and got some wonderful photos or video

mountainstar wrote:but I am definitely NOT going to try to bag them all

Wanna bet????

L-Hiking said

Wheres all the snow???

Its all (whats left) on the othere side, this side gets all the sun.

SusieThePensioner said

Wanna bet????

Malky_C said

Yeah whatever...just wait until you reach about 50. Bet you'll find yourself going for the next 50 then

Only AA's and Baggers know what its like

I remember these from the Glencoe meet. Would love to do them again. Particuarly a full traverse of Sgor a Choise like you did there. Better weather than I had for sure

I was looking today on who else had done a TR on these, and saw that you were one of the only few (and one other who cannot be mentioned on here )

Lovely

Couldn't agree more about the views from the smaller mountains and what a superb day you got . I hope to do these two this year, starting from where you finished though not going up where you came down but continueing to climb Meal Mor from the south then onto Sgurr a' Chois before returning to the start.

What a great walk and loved the pictures of Bidean and the view up Glencoe. Also the wee gap in the fence was a bit of good planning! Reminds me I need to go back to complete Bidean as fell short by a short head last year when the weather was again unseasonally warm...

A fabulous walk there mountainstar
Interesting new angles too, obviously a benefit of hiking the Grahams
Cheers the noo

Note the deer fence on col between Meall Bhuige and Sgorr a'Choise has been renewed and is no longer dog friendly as there is no gap and only an awkward high wooden stile for human access.