Bidean Nam Biam

[SecretSquirrel]

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

A perfect day! I was parked up early to claim a space, suited & booted for 7:30am and the skies were already perfectly clear blue. I followed the book route of WH and enjoyed the mild boulder hop/scramble up to the summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan. From there on it was a cracking walk following the connecting 'ridges' between the tops. On such a clear day the views were simply stunning, I could have stayed up there all day. I had been a little aprehensive about the loose descent from Bealach Dearg, and it was initially steep and loose, but thankfully straightforward and I quickly reached the path out.

When I got back to the car park and saw the hordes of tourists parked, I was glad I had been there early! The car park took a bit of navigation but I soon squeezed my out and was back on the A82, reflecting on my day with a big grin

The route up Coire nan Lochan between Gearr Aonach (left) and Aonach Dubh (right). Heading for Stob Coire nan Lochan peaking thru in the middle.


Looking back to the the A82 and across to Am Bodach.


The Pinnacle Buttresses of Stob Coire nan Lochan.


Zoomed to the buttresses.


View of the Aonach Eagach and beyond to Ben Nevis.


Ballachulish and Loch Leven.


Scree gully down the butresses.


Another sharp steep gully ...


First glimpse of Bidean ... no access from here, need to get up onto the connecting ridge first!


View east from the summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan.


Bidean Nam Biam looking like a very steep ascent!


First glimpse of the days second target ... Stob Coire Sgreamhach.


Bidean Nam Biam summit cairn.


Looking back to Stob Coire nan Lochan.


View over Beinn Maol Chalium to Loch Etive with Ben Starav in the centre and the Cruachan ridge behind.


Looking ahead to Stob Coire Sgreamhach.


Stob Coire Sgreamhach.


Coire Gabhail and the Lost Valley.


The summit cairn of Stob Sgreamhach with Bidean in the background.


Bidean Nam Biam looking splendid from this angle.


Summit view from Stob Sgreamhach, looking down the Lost Valley and across to Am Bodach.


Buachaille Etive Beag with Etive Mor behind and the non-munro peak of Stob na Doire in the middle of the ridge.


Aonach Eagach with Ben Nevis, centre rear, capped with cloud.


The loose red ash descent from Bealach Dearg.


Looking back at the descent route into Coire Gabhail.


The last leg of the journey, returning to a now much busier car park!


Bidean Nam Biam Photo Album

[SecretSquirrel]

Fix to the photograph links in the post. Thanks to litljortindan or I probably wouldn't have noticed the problem!

[ancancha]

Loved the Raven photos in your link
Glad you got a really nice day for this one, I found the terrain fascinating

[Alteknacker]

Fabulous set of pics there, on what was a truly magnificent day.

BTW I was taking a pic of Bidean as you were taking one of the Ben group; I waved at you from CMD, but you didn't wave back...

[simon-b]

Great pictures, SecretSquirrel. The descent from Bealach Dearg might have been loose, but at least the snow's gone at last.

[SecretSquirrel]

Loved the Raven photos in your link
Glad you got a really nice day for this one, I found the terrain fascinating

Thanks Ancancha! I agree the land around the glens and hills is fantastic there. Very prehistoric looking The ravens didn't seem to mind me being there, and I probably could have gotten much closer pictures if I hadn't clattered my walking pole of the rocks

Fabulous set of pics there, on what was a truly magnificent day.

BTW I was taking a pic of Bidean as you were taking one of the Ben group; I waved at you from CMD, but you didn't wave back...

Cheers Altenacker! In my defence ... my eyesight probably isn't sharp enough to have seen you on CMD
*waves

Great pictures, SecretSquirrel. The descent from Bealach Dearg might have been loose, but at least the snow's gone at last.

Thanks Simon! Yes, the descent is completely snow free now. Your reverse snow descent in June sounded like a lot of hard work! Thankfully all I had to contend with was not slipping and land on my pride

[litljortindan]

A great day and hill for the camera.