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BEB - The Wee Beauty!

BEB - The Wee Beauty!


Postby JimboJim » Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:35 pm

Route description: Buachaille Etive Beag

Munros included on this walk: Stob Coire Raineach (Buachaille Etive Beag), Stob Dubh (Buachaille Etive Beag)

Date walked: 21/11/2013

Time taken: 4.5 hours

Distance: 9.5 km

Ascent: 914m

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Despite some recent snow, I was itching to get out for a hike as the forecast didn't look too severe. Big Jesper suggested Buachaille Etive Beag might be a reasonably safe option for a solo, as there was quite a good track most of the way and the views are good. That was good enough for me, though I was beginning to have some doubts, as I got nearer the snow topped hills of Glencoe.
BEB 009_1024_662.JPG
Moon over the Aonach Eagach ridge.

There were already a few cars in the car park by the 'beehive' cairn (anyone able to inform of its significance?), so I hoped I might be able to hook up with someone with good experience of snow, to keep me right. I saw a solo walker about 10 minutes ahead and set off at a pace to catch up. Puddles of water were frozen solid. Eventually I caught up with my hoped for guide and started chatting to David, to sound out his experience. Alas, David was an Isreali, over for a conference and probably less experience of snow than I. This was his second attempt at a munro, though it sounded like he has done a lot of walking at height! Anyway, he was happy for me to tag along and we both agreed to take it easy and not stretch ourselves too far.
BEB 016_1164_800_1024_704.JPG
Bealach towards Stob na Doire and BEM.
BEB 020_1067_800_1024_768.JPG
Stob Coire Sgreamhach.

We reached the snow line, about 500 metres, or so, but it was encouraging to see a couple of climbers already high up, heading for Stob Dubh. Aside from a couple of minor wee slips, the rise to Mam Buidhe, was uneventful, other than twisting the neck in all directions to marvel at the beautiful scenery unfolding before our eyes. It was an hour to here and after a quick moment of contemplation, we decided to head for Stob Coire Raineach first. The path/track was obscured, so it was just a case of picking your own route. The snow wasn't too bad, maybe 6-12 inches in most bits and after a further three quarters of an hour we were at the summit. David's first munro - well done! I think he was well impressed with the views of BEM, Bidean, Aonach Eagach, Stob Dubh, etc, etc, etc.
BEB 021_1024_697.JPG
Stob Dubh.
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Ben Starav.
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West to Loch Linnhe.
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Mamores from SCR
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Stob Dubh, in all her glory.
BEB 039_1280_785_1024_628.JPG
Yours truly, summit SCR.
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David, companion for Stob Coire Raineach.
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Aonach Eagach ridge, behind Beinn Fhada.

After some photo's we were soon on our way back down to the bealach. I think my haste to get on to the more airy looking Stob Dubh, maybe made David think I was a bit crazy and not the best to partner him, so after a brief moment of consideration, about 1 second, he decided to call it quits and head down. (Thanks for your company and hope you have some great photo's of your first Munro!)
I decided I would give it a try and head down, if I felt worried in any way and set off, following some of the footsteps already made up the steep slope, towards the ridge. The snow was certainly more frozen and slippier on this side, having been shaded from the sun, requiring a bit more concentration to watch one's footing. It was great making it onto the ridge, with Stob Dubh looking majestic towering over it, on the far side. Although the ridge narrows and steepens towards the summit, I felt sure of my footing and made it to the top in three hours. Alas, it had become a bit more hazy so views weren't just so clear by then.
BEB 054_1024_768.JPG
Coming off Stob Dubh.
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Stob Dubh, down!!
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SCS.
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Beinn Fhionnlaidh, an old friend.
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Looking down Glen Etive and distant (very), view of The Paps.
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A couple make their way up Stob Coire Raineach.
BEB 085_1079_800_1024_759.JPG
Stob Dubh cairn, towards Buachaille Etive Mor

Met a few other walkers, as I made my way down and back to the car in four and a half hours, well pleased with a great day to see Buachaille Etive Beag, snowy side up.
BEB 109_1200_800_1024_683.JPG
Pass of Glencoe.
BEB 111_1065_800_1022_768.JPG
Fly past to celebrate!

(As in all cases, if you see my bearings are wrong in any photo's, don't be slow to correct me!)
Last edited by JimboJim on Tue Oct 13, 2020 9:08 pm, edited 6 times in total.
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby Big Jesper » Sat Dec 14, 2013 12:06 pm

Great pics jimbo, looked like a cracking day.
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby scooby0511 » Sat Dec 14, 2013 12:37 pm

Nice report and photos Jimbo, well done
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby McLEOD » Sat Dec 14, 2013 4:33 pm

Fantastic :)
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby scottishkennyg » Sat Dec 14, 2013 9:23 pm

Grand day reflected in the photos. Well done JJ
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby JimboJim » Sun Dec 15, 2013 12:11 pm

Cheers. Yeh, days out on the hill don't get much better than this! Hopefully many more to come.
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby Bubba Ribeye » Tue Dec 31, 2013 1:46 am

Inspirational JJ - Inspirational! Amazing photos depicting what looks like an amazing day you 'bagged' on the hills - I will refer to your excellent report when I head up that way sometime in 2014 once I've finished my 'fitness jaunts' in the Arrochars! Well Done - looking forward to reading more. :clap:
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby JimboJim » Tue Jan 07, 2014 6:31 pm

Bubba Ribeye wrote:Inspirational JJ - Inspirational! Amazing photos depicting what looks like an amazing day you 'bagged' on the hills - I will refer to your excellent report when I head up that way sometime in 2014 once I've finished my 'fitness jaunts' in the Arrochars! Well Done - looking forward to reading more. :clap:


Thanks, Bubba. Would be great to meet and treat myself to some of your juicy steaks on a summit somewhere, be it Glencoe, or wherever!
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby doogz » Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:06 pm

Great pics and on nice day

But you sure date is correct Friday 13th of December .. I travelled to Ballachuillish for my anniversary and couldn't get out the car at Big Bookil for rain and wind
The car park had no cars on Friday 13 or Saturday 14 December where the car was being blown off the road on Saturday after cutting our break short
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby JimboJim » Wed Jan 08, 2014 7:42 pm

doogz wrote:Great pics and on nice day

But you sure date is correct Friday 13th of December .. I travelled to Ballachuillish for my anniversary and couldn't get out the car at Big Bookil for rain and wind
The car park had no cars on Friday 13 or Saturday 14 December where the car was being blown off the road on Saturday after cutting our break short


Well spotted, Doogz. You're not the first to have to tell me where I was/wasn't on a certain day! I'm going for the 21st of Nov, now. See if anyone else thinks that's possible?

Ta.

Jimmy
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby doogz » Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:00 pm

:D

It's only that it was my anniversary that day and it poured down and I normally heck all the usual park spots to see if anyone walking
Also there was no snow as we went to Glen Nevis in the dusk as the Munro tops cleared about 3pm

I will see if 21 nov is right for you ... No doubt I will have been somewhere with my camera ... Lol :lol:
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby Jock McJock » Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:04 pm

Done this last year in similar conditions and loved it. You got better weather than me though, well done!
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Re: BEB - Ya wee beauty!

Postby JimboJim » Tue Jan 23, 2018 1:47 pm

Some other pics from a return visit with Marina, who was up for the challenge of doing her first Munro. Managed Stob Dubh and then took on Stob Coire Raineach, for good measure.
BEB 018_1024_706.JPG
On the summit of Stob Coire Raineach.


Some good views.
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Over to Stob Coire nan Lochan.
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The typical view along the ridge to Stob Dubh.


Took us about 4 and three quarter hours for the trip. Not bad, Marina :)
BEB 002_1024_768.JPG
The Aonach Eagach, awaits for another day. I may leave you to it :)
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Ridge to SD. Starav behind to left.


The views south were a bit less clear.
BEB 008_1024_768.JPG
Down Loch Etive.
BEB 009_1024_760.JPG
Ben Nevis no' too clear, either.
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Another of Loch Etive.


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Bidean and Stob Coire Sgreamhach, the nearer one.
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Looking toward SCR.
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Looking down on Pass of Glencoe. Ben Nevis in the distance.
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SCR.
BEB 019_1024_768.JPG
Beinn a' Chrulaiste. Schiehallion way in distance.
BEB 020_1024_768.JPG
Coire Altruim, Buachaille Etive Mor.


Think this was my 6th time up the Wee Buachaille. Maybe I like it :)
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BEB 001_1024_717.JPG
Clearer to the north, as Binnein Mor comes into view.
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