Ben Starav nearly beats me - Video

[gsaboy]

I started the day with the ambition to do the full circular walk, taking in the two Munros, and what looked like a very nice series of ridges between them.

The start of the walk, after you cross the the river is obviously usually very boggy. Today it had the added bonus of a very thin veneer of ice, so when you broke through the frozen surface and ended up to your knees in mud, it was all the more shocking.

Now I must say this is one brute of a mountain, as well as climbing it from sea level it seem to be an endless succession of false summits, however the spectacular views back along Glen Etive made it all worth while.

The big killer however was the wind, on exposed parts it was pretty hard to stand up, and looking up at the ridge on the final approach to Ben Starav I had my doubts that it would be walkable.

However the final 200m or so, were in fact pretty sheltered, although hard going scrambling over boulders covered in very soft snow. Near the top I met two other walkers, and we all concluded that the second Munro was beyond reach, it being 2pm already.

All in a invigorating day, with a mixture of boiling on two many layers, to serious windchill on the more exposed parts. I'm looking forward to a return in better weather, and more daylight.

As usual, here's the video...

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Untitled by 6274design, on Flickr


Allt Mheuran by 6274design, on Flickr


Untitled by 6274design, on Flickr


ben starav 2 by 6274design, on Flickr


Untitled by 6274design, on Flickr


The final approach to Ben Starav by 6274design, on Flickr


View back towards Loch Etive by 6274design, on Flickr


Untitled by 6274design, on Flickr


At the top by 6274design, on Flickr


Untitled by 6274design, on Flickr


Untitled by 6274design, on Flickr


Untitled by 6274design, on Flickr


Summit Cairn by 6274design, on Flickr


ben starav by 6274design, on Flickr


Untitled by 6274design, on Flickr

[Silverhill]

Nice video Bruce! I liked the shot of the wind swirling snow around, but it must have been baltic. I am looking forward to doing the mighty Starav on my next trip.

[gsaboy]

Nice video Bruce! I liked the shot of the wind swirling snow around, but it must have been baltic. I am looking forward to doing the mighty Starav on my next trip.

Thanks. It was freeeeeezing in the wind, but not bad at all when you got out of it.

[Fudgie]

That hill is a beast I added on Beinn nan Aighenan and Glas Bheinn Mhor on a clammy day and i was 9 and a half hours for the round which had me knackered by the time I got to the car.

[The Rodmiester]

Nice video, a lovely mountain in my eyes, I did it many years ago, in much better and warmer conditions than you. It's hard going in the snow amd wind it makes one hell of a difference to your walking times, and also tests your strength and will power to the limit.

[MountainKaty]

Nice video! I had a 13hour epic in august last year taking in the 5 munro's here. It was a beast to get up Ben Starav then in the heat (also the wine the nite before wasnt a good idea for me!!!! )
Looked very cold but i'm sure it was a great day out!

[gsaboy]

Nice video! I had a 13hour epic in august last year taking in the 5 munro's here. It was a beast to get up Ben Starav then in the heat (also the wine the nite before wasnt a good idea for me!!!! )
Looked very cold but i'm sure it was a great day out!

Having managed just one, a summer return sounds like a good idea.

[MountainKaty]

Yeah it was a stunning day in the hills.......still tough on the knees taking in the 5 munro's.....a lot of big drops to head back up again between the hills! Or it felt like it anyway!

[Fudgie]

Yeah it was a stunning day in the hills.......still tough on the knees taking in the 5 munro's.....a lot of big drops to head back up again between the hills! Or it felt like it anyway!

The three that I did had about 6200ft of ascent between them so you'll have done a fair bit more

[wilkiemurray]

great film - glad you caugt the spindrift devil - I I also saw these a few days beofre but did not manage toc atc as nice footage - well done - it is certainly a good amoun of ascent t Starav!