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Far from Easain's

PostPosted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 6:14 pm
by JimboJim
At last Big Jesper, had finished holidays to tropical climates and we had a date fixed, if weather would be kind to us. We had a few targets, but opted for Stob Coire Easain & Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin, with an early half five start. Great to have the roads to yourself on a sunny morning and we were soon kitted up, at the stony, parking area, just before the loch at Fersit.
Midge's soon zoomed in on us, so we quickly headed off into the jungle. It was difficult to be sure of the track at first, due to the thick growth of bracken. Would probably be more evident in winter. We came to a metal gate, over which seemed to be the line of the old tramway and after crossing a deep ditch, we made our way onto the open hill. Again paths were unclear, as we made our way through some tough, heathery stuff heading for the brow of Creag Fhinaclach. Already the sweat was beginning to flow.
Quite a long hike out to Meall Cian Dearg and some right boggy bits, which leaves one wondering whether it might be easier to come up from Loch Trieg? (Opinions, please.) Likewise, the steep 250m, or so climb up here is no cakewalk, but then begins to open up views of surrounding hills. In this heat, it was impossible to imagine the horrible foggy, freezing day we had over on Chno Dearg & Stob Coire Sgriodain, in April.
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Scheihallion. Sgor Gaibhre front.
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Looking east to Stob Coire Sgriodain and Chno Dearg, scene of an earlier adventure.
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Trieg Dam. Water level well down.
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Jaf and some of the summits on way to the summits.
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Man down!
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Stob Ban.

There's a few paths over this broad ridge, but it gradually narrows and nears the steep fall down the corrie's, into Loch Trieg as height is gained. By now the vista of views towards the Grey Corries, Ben Nevis, Mamores and Glencoe was truly mouth watering. We were just a bit less than two and a half hours to the summit of Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin, where we had a good stop for some much needed food and drink. Out of the blue another walker emerged from the direction of the second summit. Zoooom! No time for a word for us. Obviously in a hurry.
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West to Stob Ban, Grey Corrie's, Aonach Beag and the Ben
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Stob Ban and Ben Nevis - and Big Jesper.
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Stob Coire Easain, towards Mamores and Glencoe range.

Stob Coire Easain is perhaps the more dramatic looking of the pair and about half an hour later we had made the drop down and rise to the summit.
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At the bealach between the two.
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SCE from Sa'CM.
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Stob Coire Claurigh, Grey Corries.
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Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin from SCE.

We could see the path down into Coire Easain Beag, but we had our minds made up to return the same we had come, so it was the long hike back. If anything it seemed further heading down, always expecting the end to come in sight, one ridge after another. As on the way up, we probably, no, definitely, made a longer detour through the bracken, losing the trail back near the car. Ach well, we were needing the exercise and finally made it back to car after a fairly hard trek, of five hours, fifty minutes.
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Looking down on car park, Fersit.

Only thing to add, was a fine pint, or Jasper's case, several fine pints in the Holly Tree and Creagan Inn. Yum! Another crackin' day in the hills. Bring on the next, Dr Jesper!
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Sláinte!

Re: Far from Easain's

PostPosted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 9:25 pm
by Big Jesper
Aye sure was a great day, especially when you're a passenger. You like like you're trying hard to hold in that 12 pack.

Re: Far from Easain's

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 2:45 pm
by JimboJim
Thank you, BJ! That 12 pack is actually a keg and no amount of breathing in, camouflage, etc will hide it. I note your own fine torso remained clothed!

Look forward to the next day I can pose for ma genarians - even if they don't. haha.

Re: Far from Easain's

PostPosted: Wed Aug 06, 2014 3:11 pm
by AnnieMacD
Looks like you had a great walk on such a fine day. Midges and bracken seem to be particularly fierce this summer (oh, and ticks) but it turned out such a great day for you. My days seem to start out the same as yours but end up in the rain!

Re: Far from Easain's

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 2:03 pm
by JimboJim
AnnieMacD wrote:Looks like you had a great walk on such a fine day. Midges and bracken seem to be particularly fierce this summer (oh, and ticks) but it turned out such a great day for you. My days seem to start out the same as yours but end up in the rain!


Thank you, Annie. We've been quite lucky with weather on the whole, though we've often had to abandon plans, as we're not too keen on the wet stuff (unless you count beer!) Your photo's belie your bad luck with the weather and as long as you don't end up with sight's such as seen above, you seem to have a good time all the same.

Re: Far from Easain's

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 9:59 pm
by pollyh33
Thanks for this smashing report JimboJim :clap: :clap:

I have had these two in my sights for a wee while now, unlike when I did Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain when I had heehaw in my sights apart from thick freezing fog :( :( :(


Can you tell me......the carpark in the photo...is that the same one for the start of the Chno Dearg walk??

Re: Far from Easain's

PostPosted: Sat Aug 09, 2014 10:15 pm
by JimboJim
pollyh33 wrote:Thanks for this smashing report JimboJim :clap: :clap:

I have had these two in my sights for a wee while now, unlike when I did Chno Dearg and Stob Coire Sgriodain when I had heehaw in my sights apart from thick freezing fog :( :( :(


Can you tell me......the carpark in the photo...is that the same one for the start of the Chno Dearg walk??


Hello, Polly. Yes, unless seriously mistaken defo car park where we started walk for Chno Dearg. We parked about 1/2 mile earlier for start of this walk, tho we were not too sure.

We had horrible day up SCS and CD, too. We may have walked right past each other!

(and, was just thru Ruglen yesterday. Not so many hills there!)