Great weekend in Glencoe part 1

[tomyboy73]

We took a different approach to these two from which the walks guide lists. A better way in my opinion, more exciting anyway. We drove down the Glen Etive road to the car park just before the bridge. There`s a path that sets off from here down to the confluence of the two rivers, where along the banks among the long grass, the dragonflies buzz about like little helicopters. We hopped over the boulders to the other side and walked towards the Sron na Creise ridge.

walking to creise

Jim had done this "walk" in horrible conditions 3 years ago and wanted to do it again on a better day. We started pickin our way up the ridge which was grassy at first leading to some rocky terrain and then eventually some great wee scrambles. All the while the sun was shining and we had a great close up of the big beauchaille behind us.

b.e.m

It really was a stunning day and the higher we got the views just got better.

towards Ben Nevis

Glen Etive

gully

We reached Sron na Creise summit cairn after some scrammbling up the scree filled gully and had a wee break before ambling up to Stob a Ghlais Choire which overlooks Glais Choire and over to Meall a`Bhuiridh, a great redish triangular peak.

Meall a Bhuiridh ridge

creise summit, lookin back

We sat for a bit just takin everythin in. We could see for miles.After a snack we headed for the connecting ridge, but not before consulting the map to determine that the cairn at creise was indeed higher than the one along at Clach Leathad, which at 1099m is a metre shorter than Creise, even if it does look higher. We dropped down onto the ridge, which was a bit scrammbly until you reach the centre low point and then it`s a quick steep walk up to the second Munro of the day.

MaB from the top of the ridge

We got up here after a few heavy breathes and a fair bit of sweat and again sat and took in the views and contemplated a pint and a good dinner at the Clachaig.

view from Meall a` Bhuiridh

With hunger in our bellies we headed down the ski slopes towards the great gorge and the river back to the car. It was a fairly steep descent with no sight of a path anywhere, well not the way we were going.

Jim, skiing

I got down to the river where jim, was slightly ahead of me, takin snaps of waterfalls and glorious lookin clear pools, which looked good enough to skinny dip in, if you were into that kind of thing.....

takin the plunge

It was freezing but a great way to finish the walk and we quickly dried as we walked back to the car in the sun. It was a great route on a great day and definately one of my favourite hills.

for more pics and route go here
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1720807

[Alan S]

Excellent tommy I really wanted to go up creise that way, well done
Love your choice of swimming pool

[Stretch]

That's a fine pic of the Buachaille in the beginning of your report! Wish I had of done this route rather than the standard way up.

[jogilv16]

what an amazing day it was.i also think this way is best route up.

[Mountainlove]

Completely agree with the route...took that one twice now and love it. The gully is fun, but a bit further to the right you get even better scrambling options.

[gammy leg walker]

Braw,braw,braw,but skinny dipping

[pollyh33]

Yeah Tommy, you made a good walk a great one!!!

Superdooooper photos

Can't believe you went skinny dipping without me

[tomyboy73]

aye, ye canny beat a wee scramble , takes the monotony out of a walk and concentrating a bit more on your hand and foot holds make you forget about the sore legs. As for the skinny dippin, you`ve got to try everything once, or twice

[LeithySuburbs]

nae panoramas Tommy ? Nice pictures and report - a day like that lingers in the memory .

[tomyboy73]

nae panoramas Tommy ? Nice pictures and report - a day like that lingers in the memory .

you`ve just reminded me , i took a couple on my phone , gonny check, i`m sure i got b.n.b a.e & b.e. in one

[tomyboy73]

Yeah Tommy, you made a good walk a great one!!!

Superdooooper photos

Can't believe you went skinny dipping without me

and anyone watching from a distance would find it hard to tell which of us was male, it really was that cold