A Tale of Two Halves
Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2013 10:41 pmSo the excitement builds through the week as it looks like the good weather is going to hold over the weekend. A small band of mountain warriors for this Meanderers outing as some of the daftest dafties have driven to Tongue to combine Kilbreck with Wyvis on a day trip. It has to be a four bagging day so the Gammy can hit the half way mark. Polly also had a chance of half way on the same day and hill if she could grab an easy 4 during the week, so she headed Drumochter way, did the four on the left, one of which was a repeat then crossed the road, after rescuing a fireman, and did the one she missed during much snow up the quarry track.
So its 4 o’clock in the morning and still I cannot sleep, as the song goes. Polly picks me up at 05:30 and we head off west to meet Gammy and DawnForth at the place we affectionately call ‘The Bogs’
We meet but no Dawn as she has decided to camp down Etive and nip around the 5 on Sunday with Tomsie so we meet her at White Corries. It is now after seven and Glencoe looks amazing. A quick pic on to Facebook for a good friend who is heading to work and we are on our way.
Bump, bump bump up the single pot hold track as far as we can from Corriechoille. You can get past the gate as it is not locked. Best to park where you pass another track on the right going into the forest. Suited and booted and walking just before 9am.
Followed the track up and around with a wee stop to have some fun with the wee minister.
Then saw a worrying sign saying that the bridge before the bothy was unsafe to cross. Worrying because I am not known for skilful river crossings, but at least I have not dunked myself up to my neck like Polly!
Broken bridge professionally dispatched and we continued on to the bothy.
Its along way to the bothy but being purists we dispatch long walk-ins with ease. Great views up and down left and right with Stob Ban appearing and the magnificent looking Sgurr Innse.
A wee nosy in the bothy and signed the book before using the bridge just past the bothy to cross the river and looking out for our path. The one directly behind the bothy takes you to the bealach between Stob Ban and Stob Choire Claurigh, but we wanted the one that climbs around and takes Stob ban fro the south.
The ascent of Stob ban is fairly easy with some more great views of the surrounding hills.
The descent off is another matter a mixture of boulders and scree but not the right mix to heel slide down, more of a gingerly’ it’s only a matter of time before I fall on my a**e’ type.
Round the lochan and a straight forward pull up to Stob Choire Claurigh from where the ridge looks magnificent.
Much fun along the ridge, glorious views abound as we clamber over boulders and five munro tops before arriving at the third munro Stob Coire an Laoigh from where the views are even better and the forth munro looks great, although the legs sighed a bit at the thought of climbing Stob Coire Easain twice.
The way up Sgurr Choinnich Mhor was again straight forward with a couple of steep pulls , one large snow patch remained to speed our descent later via the medium of a wet bum for us guys but a little chill or thrill for the ladies in shorts.
And then there we were Polly and Gammy half way round. A cracking walk on a cracking day.
Just the small matter of walking back over Easain down a broad grassy ridge that feels like it goes all the way to Glasgow a steep drop to cross the river by the dam before the long forest track back to the car.
A great, great day. A mere 13 hours in the company of friends one of whom is nuts enough to do another 5 the next day.
Hope you enjoy the photos and I am sure more will be added.
So its 4 o’clock in the morning and still I cannot sleep, as the song goes. Polly picks me up at 05:30 and we head off west to meet Gammy and DawnForth at the place we affectionately call ‘The Bogs’
We meet but no Dawn as she has decided to camp down Etive and nip around the 5 on Sunday with Tomsie so we meet her at White Corries. It is now after seven and Glencoe looks amazing. A quick pic on to Facebook for a good friend who is heading to work and we are on our way.
Bump, bump bump up the single pot hold track as far as we can from Corriechoille. You can get past the gate as it is not locked. Best to park where you pass another track on the right going into the forest. Suited and booted and walking just before 9am.
Followed the track up and around with a wee stop to have some fun with the wee minister.
Then saw a worrying sign saying that the bridge before the bothy was unsafe to cross. Worrying because I am not known for skilful river crossings, but at least I have not dunked myself up to my neck like Polly!
Broken bridge professionally dispatched and we continued on to the bothy.
Its along way to the bothy but being purists we dispatch long walk-ins with ease. Great views up and down left and right with Stob Ban appearing and the magnificent looking Sgurr Innse.
- Sgurr Innse
A wee nosy in the bothy and signed the book before using the bridge just past the bothy to cross the river and looking out for our path. The one directly behind the bothy takes you to the bealach between Stob Ban and Stob Choire Claurigh, but we wanted the one that climbs around and takes Stob ban fro the south.
- The climb finally begins
The ascent of Stob ban is fairly easy with some more great views of the surrounding hills.
The descent off is another matter a mixture of boulders and scree but not the right mix to heel slide down, more of a gingerly’ it’s only a matter of time before I fall on my a**e’ type.
Round the lochan and a straight forward pull up to Stob Choire Claurigh from where the ridge looks magnificent.
- Looking back to Stob Ban
- Stob Choire Claurigh
Much fun along the ridge, glorious views abound as we clamber over boulders and five munro tops before arriving at the third munro Stob Coire an Laoigh from where the views are even better and the forth munro looks great, although the legs sighed a bit at the thought of climbing Stob Coire Easain twice.
The way up Sgurr Choinnich Mhor was again straight forward with a couple of steep pulls , one large snow patch remained to speed our descent later via the medium of a wet bum for us guys but a little chill or thrill for the ladies in shorts.
And then there we were Polly and Gammy half way round. A cracking walk on a cracking day.
Just the small matter of walking back over Easain down a broad grassy ridge that feels like it goes all the way to Glasgow a steep drop to cross the river by the dam before the long forest track back to the car.
A great, great day. A mere 13 hours in the company of friends one of whom is nuts enough to do another 5 the next day.
Hope you enjoy the photos and I am sure more will be added.
Congrats to Polly and Gammy as well - not so sure about Gammy's attempt at a snow angel though 
