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Having already climbed Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor from Glen Etive I thought I would start from Victoria Bridge and cycle as far as I could. I set of at 8.45 from the car park at Victoria bridge and made good time along the land rover track sign posted Glen Etive. After about 4 km I passed a cottage where you are asked to dismount shortly after that you cross the river Linne nam Beathach by way of some excellent stepping stones
- excellent stepping stones
another stream is crossed which was no problem as it had been fairly dry. Heading on passed Loch Dochard I could see Ben Starav and my quest for the day appear from the high clouds. I left my bike (not a mountain bike) a short distance after the loch as the path seemed to be getting a bit rough I should have persevered for another 2km and left the bike just before the track drops down by a few hundred meters before the accent proper starts. Crossing the river Kinglass was easy enough not sure what it would be like in wet weather.
- Looking back toward Victoria Bridge
- Me at the top quite a bit of cloud but most hills were visable
- Ben Starav
I followed the track for a short distance then headed up the very steep shoulder which had been visible on the approach. It was hard going but a sort of wide ridge of sorts was reach and I could almost see the summit behind a prominent knoll.
I did not expect a path so was not disappointed.
- looking down the ridge
I reached the top and enjoyed the view even Ben Starav came out from its from its blank of cloud it had been wearing all day.
- At the top with Loch etive behind
I headed back down the ridge for a short distance and dropped down a stony gully to the glen below it was do-able but steeper than I thought. Once at the bottom it took longer that I thought to reach the ford in the river where I picked up the land rover track and headed back to pick up the bike. A bike never looked so good. Having not been out much this year it was a bit of a struggle but a good challenge.