BEM - Ya Big Beaut!
Posted: Sat Aug 02, 2014 4:10 pmForecast looked promising, so time to strike while the iron hot - still on holiday! Had previously had a great day out on the Wee Buachaille, ya wee beaut, hence today just had to be the big beaut and so it was to prove.
Thought I was quite early at Altnafeadh, but already the lay-by was near full. Thankfully didn't had to test the bottom of my wee Fiesta on the opposite side of the road, as it would have torn the Altnafeadh oot her! Lots of blue sky around as I got the gear on and got chatting to a couple of decent lads, Davie and Gavin, who helped keep me right, going up Coire na Tulaich. The heat was building up nicely, so it was a bit of relief to emerge from the corrie and grab a drink. Strange to contemplate at this moment, the scenario of several fatal avalanches in this place of rugged beauty, as one surveyed magnificent views, in all directions.
I then parted company with the guys as I was planning beyond Stob Dearg, the top of which was relatively easy to negotiate in these conditions, showing up the redness in the rocks, whence derives its name. Met a guy there at the summit and in later discussion learned he'd had a serious fall on Creise, earlier in the year - only a few hundred metres, taken down by a collapsing cornice! Lucky man to survive and made me think of my attraction towards the beauty of these lethal ridges of snow.
Was just under the two hours to here.
Anyway, after a few pics, it was back down and off towards Stob na Doire.
It's a fair climb in itself, but not a Munro. Later, I was asked to explain why to a couple of Dutch walkers. I very quickly gave up, after I had pointed out the second Munro, being a fair bit lower and less impressive looking than Stob na Doire. Next I caught up with an oil rig worker, going down the southwest face of SnD, but couldn't talk my way into a new job. Anyway, maybe he'd enough of my company, as he decided it was time to bale out and took the descent down Coire Altrium.
Doesn't take long to get to the top of Stob Coire Altruim and isn't really much of a hike till atop the second Munro, Stob na Broige, from where one can enjoy the views of Glen Etive and the south. Magnificent is the only word. About 4 hours to here, then back to the bealach at Coire Altrium. Over a lingering patch of snow here and down the steep and occasionally bit tricky descent, takes you into the Lairig Gartain, where I caught up with my Dutch friends again. (I hope you read and see your photo!)
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The walk back out is a bit of a hike, but am told the path is much better than former days. It was great seeing many others taking a stroll, marvelling at the beauty of Glencoe and the grand mountains I had just come over. Back to car in just less than 6 hrs, followed by pint at the Kingshouse. What a fantastic day. Doesn't get much better than this - for me!
Thought I was quite early at Altnafeadh, but already the lay-by was near full. Thankfully didn't had to test the bottom of my wee Fiesta on the opposite side of the road, as it would have torn the Altnafeadh oot her! Lots of blue sky around as I got the gear on and got chatting to a couple of decent lads, Davie and Gavin, who helped keep me right, going up Coire na Tulaich. The heat was building up nicely, so it was a bit of relief to emerge from the corrie and grab a drink. Strange to contemplate at this moment, the scenario of several fatal avalanches in this place of rugged beauty, as one surveyed magnificent views, in all directions.
- The chaps heading into the cauldron of Coire na Tulaich.
- Altnafeadh, Devil's Staircase, Mamores, Grey Corries, Easian's.
- Back to Altnafeadh, Devil's Staircase and Blackwater Reservoir.
I then parted company with the guys as I was planning beyond Stob Dearg, the top of which was relatively easy to negotiate in these conditions, showing up the redness in the rocks, whence derives its name. Met a guy there at the summit and in later discussion learned he'd had a serious fall on Creise, earlier in the year - only a few hundred metres, taken down by a collapsing cornice! Lucky man to survive and made me think of my attraction towards the beauty of these lethal ridges of snow.
Was just under the two hours to here.
- Stob Dearg - Lady in Red?
- Stob Coire Raineach and Aonach Eagach behind.
Anyway, after a few pics, it was back down and off towards Stob na Doire.
It's a fair climb in itself, but not a Munro. Later, I was asked to explain why to a couple of Dutch walkers. I very quickly gave up, after I had pointed out the second Munro, being a fair bit lower and less impressive looking than Stob na Doire. Next I caught up with an oil rig worker, going down the southwest face of SnD, but couldn't talk my way into a new job. Anyway, maybe he'd enough of my company, as he decided it was time to bale out and took the descent down Coire Altrium.
- Descent point. Me, less decent point!
- Stob na Doire and Stob Dearg, well seen from south side.
- Buachaille Etive Beag and Bidean hills.
- Some of Ring of Steall and The Ben, closer up.
- Ben Nevis, CMD and Mamores foreground.
- BEM ridge from South.
- Buachaille Etive Beag, Bidean hills and Aonach Eagach.
Doesn't take long to get to the top of Stob Coire Altruim and isn't really much of a hike till atop the second Munro, Stob na Broige, from where one can enjoy the views of Glen Etive and the south. Magnificent is the only word. About 4 hours to here, then back to the bealach at Coire Altrium. Over a lingering patch of snow here and down the steep and occasionally bit tricky descent, takes you into the Lairig Gartain, where I caught up with my Dutch friends again. (I hope you read and see your photo!)
- Dutch friends, descending Stob Coire Altruim.
- Wee snow patch, descent point, Stob Coire Altruim.
- Stob Dearg, Buachaille Etive Mor.
- Down to the Lairig Gartain.
The walk back out is a bit of a hike, but am told the path is much better than former days. It was great seeing many others taking a stroll, marvelling at the beauty of Glencoe and the grand mountains I had just come over. Back to car in just less than 6 hrs, followed by pint at the Kingshouse. What a fantastic day. Doesn't get much better than this - for me!