It was a great day for walking, a bit of high cloud and at times a slight breeze but loads of sunshine and nothing to spoil the view.
I parked the car at Altnafeadh just after 8.00, the car park was already filling up so I knew I wouldn't be alone on this walk. Started walking at 8.20 and followed the path down to the River Coupall and across the footbridge; the path maintenance team have done a great job on the footpath up through the Coire na Tulaich, it is very easy to follow and steps most of the way. I soon warmed up and the fleece was in the bag after about 10 minutes never to be seen again all day. Reached the top of the ridge in just over an hour and was soon on the top of my first Munro of the day the impressive Stob Dearg. As I had presumed I wasn't alone and had a chat with a couple of other walkers before moving on.
- The start of the route towards Stob Dearg
- The Lairig Gartain from Altnafeadh
- The route up through Coire na Tulaich
- Looking back to the start point at Altnafeadh
- An arms length self portrait on the summit of Stob Dearg
I never fully understand the system for grading Munros, Corbetts etc. particularly when you look at B.E.M (please excuse the abrieviation) and in particular Stob na Doire which although standing at an impressive 1011m is down graded (because of it's proximity to Stob Dearg I presume). But it does make for a great walk along the ridge past Stob na Doire, Stob Coire Altruim and on along to Stob na Broige my second Munro of the day.
- Stob na Broige from Stob Coire Altruim
- Stob Dubh on Buachaille Etive Beag from the summit of Stob na Broige
- Loch and Glen Etive from Stob na Broige
- Looking NW from Stob na Broige to Stob Coir nam Beith
I stopped on the summit of Stob na Broige for brunch and chat with the other walkers who had gathered their, everyone else was heading back to the car park at Altnafeadh but my trek was only part way over. I was heading across the Lairig Gartain and up the other side to Buachaille Etive Beag.
- What was going to be my 4th Munro Stob Coire Raineach across on Buachailee Etive Beag
The route down to the path in the Lairig Gartain is easy enough to follow, just retrace your steps back to the bealach below Stob Coire Altuim and follow the path north. It's an interesting route down, with a couple of short scrambles on the way. When I reached the path alongside the River Coupall I turned left up the Lairig Gartain whilst everyone else turned right and back to the car park.
I followed the path for about 1K until I reached the first large burn coming down from the bealach on Buachaille Etive Beag, turning right here there is a faint path which leads straight up to the lowest point on the Buachaille Etive Beag ridge above. The going up was fairly straight forward, the path keeps close to the right hand bank of the burn all the way to the top.
The ridge was pretty crowded with walkers; it is good to see so many people out enjoying themselves but its a bit strange when you are used to being pretty much on your own on the less popular walks. The views from here were great especially looking across to the Aonach Eagach Ridge.
- Aonach Eagach ridge from Buachaille Etive Beag
- The route down from Buachaille Etive Mor
I headed South West towards the summit of Stob Dubh first as that is the furthest from the bealach; I can honestly say I have never seen so many people on one summit, I didn't stay long.
- Glen Etive from Buachaille Etive Beag
- Lairig Gartain and Buachaille Etive Mor from Stob Dubh
- The crowded summit of Stob Dubh
Followed the ridge back along Buachaille Etive Beag towards Stob Coire Raineach, my legs started to cramp up a bit when I was heading up towards the summit but thankfully a good stretch and a rub eased it off.
It was 3.00 when I reached the last of the 4 Munro summits; what a great walk it had been I felt a real sense of achievement and it was a perfect day for attempting this walk.
- Stob Dearg and Buachaille Etive Mor from Stob Coire Raineach
I followed my route back to the Lairig Gartain and on down to the car park at Altnafeadh which I reached at about 4.45. I had promised to take the wife out for something to eat tonight so didn't stop off for a pint headed straight back to Edinburgh, tired but feeling pleased with myself.
