Glen Coe Scorcher Part 1 - Bidean nam Bian
Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2010 10:33 pmHappy days as my Friday off coincided with one of the hottest and sunniest days of the year 
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Parked in the very busy Helipad carpark and headed off up the Coire nan Lochan path in shorts and t-shirt.
Fortunately, most of the cars were occupied by tourists and once on the path I was soon by myself. It was apparent that this would be a sweaty day and fluid intake would be important, as would cleg avoidance... The path climbed steeply but easily past some lovely waterfalls and between the high cliffs of the two westermost Sisters.
After a final steep climb I emerged at the small lochans below Stob Coire nan Lochan where I had some lunch.
A bit of a scramble brought me to the summit of SCnL where I rested again before the short descent and re-ascent to the summit of Bidean nam Bian.
The views in all directions were spectacular.
It was still hot even at 1150m and I had another lazy break. I walked down to the 944m col, then quickly made the summit of Stob Coire Sgreamhach. I was surprised to still be alone - ah, the joys of midweek hillwalking
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I returned to the col and made the longish walk back through the Lost Valley to the A82.
The initial descent required care and I would imagine this would be tricky in wet/slippy conditions.
There was a lot of loose rock and I didn't really enjoy this path a great deal and was glad to cross the bridge over the River Coe and return to the car.
This was a spectacular day and really felt like summer had properly arrived. I was really surprised by just how dry conditions were - streams were trickles, bogs were hardened mud, paths were dusty. It made for great walking conditions where the only (unusual) problem was finding water.
.Parked in the very busy Helipad carpark and headed off up the Coire nan Lochan path in shorts and t-shirt.
Fortunately, most of the cars were occupied by tourists and once on the path I was soon by myself. It was apparent that this would be a sweaty day and fluid intake would be important, as would cleg avoidance... The path climbed steeply but easily past some lovely waterfalls and between the high cliffs of the two westermost Sisters.
After a final steep climb I emerged at the small lochans below Stob Coire nan Lochan where I had some lunch.
A bit of a scramble brought me to the summit of SCnL where I rested again before the short descent and re-ascent to the summit of Bidean nam Bian.
The views in all directions were spectacular.
It was still hot even at 1150m and I had another lazy break. I walked down to the 944m col, then quickly made the summit of Stob Coire Sgreamhach. I was surprised to still be alone - ah, the joys of midweek hillwalking
.I returned to the col and made the longish walk back through the Lost Valley to the A82.
The initial descent required care and I would imagine this would be tricky in wet/slippy conditions.
There was a lot of loose rock and I didn't really enjoy this path a great deal and was glad to cross the bridge over the River Coe and return to the car.
- final look at the magnificent 3 Sisters
This was a spectacular day and really felt like summer had properly arrived. I was really surprised by just how dry conditions were - streams were trickles, bogs were hardened mud, paths were dusty. It made for great walking conditions where the only (unusual) problem was finding water.
cracking pictures.i like the waterfall one