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October 1st, autumn is here, mists, mellow fruits and Factor 30. Yes. another fine day of this Indian summer.
Today was supposed to be a more restful day following two hefty days and six Munros, but in the law of the mountain walker it surely must be a criminal offence to waste such glorious weather moping about in the glens, so up high it had to be. With a token gesture to an "easier" day, I chose Buchaille Etive Beag, a 30 minute drive across Rannoch Moor, and a shortish walk on good paths.
The drive itself was a pleasure, plenty to admire:
Inversion over Loch Tulla
Moonshine on Creise .... (apologies..)
Big Buchaille and moon
The car park was nearly empty and luckily in shade, as was the major part of the ascent, fortune smiles again.
The ascent path to the bealach is excellent, divided roughly into three sections of steady, steep and steady again, and I got to the bealach one hour after leaving.
Looking back to Aonach Eagach
First views down Glen Etive ...
I took a right turn and headed up to Stob Dubh, the southern summit, then followed the advice to go further on to the far cairn, for the best views down Etive.
Fine views abounded, plenty of those mountain "ta-da!" moments when you get over a rise, or turn a corner and get a new spectacular view.
Bidean...
Back north to Stob Coire Raineach
The Big Buchaille ..
Turning round, it was a straightforward traipse back to the bealach and then on up onto Stob Coire Raineach.
From this point I was surprised to see an inversion over Loch Leven, even in this week of inversions...
The big fella..
One point to note, the descent of the second summit seemed to have many variant choices, with some steepish scree paths over to the right; best to keep left back to the bealach, from where its a quick jaunt to the car park.