Big Bookle, Wee Bookle

[RTMcB]

Bookle 14 09 14.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

It had long been a dream of SMRussell and I to do the combined Buachaille Etive Mor and Beag Munro's. Inspired by epic routes such as Monty's and Davetherave's http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5564 we settled for Rockhopper's slightly more sensible route http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=13333!

Slightly overcast with Stob Dearg in the cloud we set off from the higher car park and took a short cut through the bog and straight onto the approach up Coire na Tulaich. I hr and 20 to get to the top, It was busy as Sauciehall St, so we didn't hang about in the clag - nae views to be had! Pretty loose stones getting down from Stob na Doire, not my favourite, but got to Stob na Broige in 1 hr 30 min from first summit.

It was on the way back from this summit where we encountered 4 lads in jeans! First question they asked was, "is there a good way off this mountain?" I said they would have passed the route off on their way here. No, they said, they had come straight up from Glen Etive Only 1 of them was wearing boots, the rest plimsoles. I suggested they might be safest taking the route down into Glencoe and no doubt someone would give them a lift back to their van. They seemed keen on getting straight back to the van, so we left them to it. There's a fine line between having cahoonas and stupidity/unpreparedness - debate!

Leaving the madness and the crowds behind we headed down Coire Altrium into Lairg Gartain. SMRussell, having set a hardcore pace for our first ridge was grumbling about her knees and not sure she wanted to do the wee bookle but without any encouragement made a bee line for it - hmm, Munro fever. Maybe it was cause she was busting for a pee! Having got to River Coupall we found a good spot to take a whizz. No sooner than I had taken half ma boab oot, but some lady walkers appeared out of nowhere! It's come as a shock but we had been quite used to remote hills wi naebody aboot recently!

With ma dignity half intact we headed up the remnants of a path leading up to the bealach at 748 on the wee bookle. Refreshingly it was deserted, fantastic views across to Aonach Eagach A quick jaunt up Stob Coire Raineach and a careful slide back down before visiting Stob Dubh and the views down Loch Etive. Best views were had on the wee bookle. No doubt better on a sunny day, but stunning and dramatic in the light that we had. We retraced our steps and enjoyed the walk back to the car along the excellent path through Lairg Gartain. Dinner at the Kingy as always!
14 Sep 2014 A550 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Nowhere to go in an avalanche!

14 Sep 2014 A550-2 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Relief at a sit down.

14 Sep 2014 A550-4 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Epic Views

14 Sep 2014 A550-5 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Thanks to the guy who took our photo!

14 Sep 2014 A550-7 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Route across big bookle ridge

14 Sep 2014 A550-8 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Across to the wee bookle

14 Sep 2014 A550-9 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Cloud threating to come down and envelope us

14 Sep 2014 A550-11 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Loch Etive from Stob na Broige

14 Sep 2014 A550-13 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Not such a busy summit

14 Sep 2014 A550-17 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
SMRussell and the wee bookle

14 Sep 2014 A550-18 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
AE from bealach on wee bookle

14 Sep 2014 A550-19 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Path up Stob Coire Raineach, loose stones mostly

14 Sep 2014 A550-23 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
tucking into a pork pie

14 Sep 2014 A550-24 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Stob Dubh from SCR

14 Sep 2014 A550-25 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Towards Bidean nam Bian

14 Sep 2014 A550-36 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Loch Etive from Stob Dubh

14 Sep 2014 A550-39 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Last summit

14 Sep 2014 A550-40 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr
Dinner

14 Sep 2014 A550-41 by r.t.mcb, on Flickr

[The Rodmiester]

Hi RTMcB, like the view along the length of the wee Buachaile, something we never saw under 2weeks ago, cloud base 700m. A distinctive red slabbed rock where the cairn sits at the Bealach, where you tucked into your pork pie. Good effort the two of you

[rockhopper]

Nice one - pity about the clag but at least you got some views. Think if I was walking this route again I might go clockwise like you rather than have to descend down Coire na Tulaich - cheers

[Silverhill]

Ah yes, I fancied doing this last year, but was enjoying myself thoroughly on the Big Bookil so never got down to doing the wee one as well. Great trip, well done! The clarity of your pictures is amazing despite the grey day.