Wonderful Pap of Glencoe and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh.
Posted: Fri Apr 01, 2016 9:55 pm
Since taking up this walking lark and passing Glencoe more than a few times, I had developed that strong feeling, that I must do that lovely little bump sometime. As usual, a favourable forecast had gradually deteriorated, knocking bigger plans off the table, so now was the time for doing Sgorr na Ciche, or the Pap of Glencoe, as I'm sure most folk will call it. Alas, it is now my good mate, Big Jesper's turn to suffer back troubles, so it was to be a solo trip, or so it looked.
I followed the route as described on the site and found no issues with directions, or description. It certainly is quite a steep hike at times, not helped by frequent, stony, shale sections, which are actually more difficult to negotiate on the way down.
Passed a few hardy souls, some with small children and admired their determination and patience, as one stop followed another. The weather stayed reasonably good, giving a few opportunities to get the camera out, as well as keeping the sweat flowing all the way to the top.
The climb onto the ‘little bump,’ is a bit more testing, requiring careful foot placement, stretching and occassional use of hands for balance/grip, but nothing dramatic and worth it, as I made my way through snow, to the summit. Think I was one and a half hours to the top.
Great views over Glencoe, Loch Leven, Mamores and Kinlochleven. Also, met a lovely couple from the Czech Republic, enjoying the beautiful vista. Always makes one humbled to hear others praising the beauty of one’s own country, especially as my thoughts quickly turned to recent grumbles over the shocking amount of roadside litter, almost everywhere.
Anyway, we shared a few snaps, by which time I had resolved to make for Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, the munro at the west side of the Aonach Eagach ridge. I headed for Cnap Glas, occassionally finding a bit of a trail here and there, but gradually had to make my way up, through nice, firm snow, eventually putting on microspikes for added grip. Once onto the ridge, it was a short stroll out to the munro, though I must have taken ages, marvelling at the beauty of the Aonach Eagach, Glencoe hills to the south, Mamores and a barely visible, Ben Nevis.
A few moments contemplating my previous journey across the ridge, then I spotted the Czech couple at the descent point from the ridge. I fired off a few photo’s of them and soon caught up, to share their company on the journey back down. It was a pleasure meeting you, Vojtech and Maya (hope, I've got that right!). Back to the car in five and a half hours. Where did the time go? Still, enough time left to sample a wee lemon and ginger cider in the Ballachulish Hotel, though I may have to cancel my planned retirement ...... if I ever go back for a large one?
I followed the route as described on the site and found no issues with directions, or description. It certainly is quite a steep hike at times, not helped by frequent, stony, shale sections, which are actually more difficult to negotiate on the way down.
Passed a few hardy souls, some with small children and admired their determination and patience, as one stop followed another. The weather stayed reasonably good, giving a few opportunities to get the camera out, as well as keeping the sweat flowing all the way to the top.
The climb onto the ‘little bump,’ is a bit more testing, requiring careful foot placement, stretching and occassional use of hands for balance/grip, but nothing dramatic and worth it, as I made my way through snow, to the summit. Think I was one and a half hours to the top.
Great views over Glencoe, Loch Leven, Mamores and Kinlochleven. Also, met a lovely couple from the Czech Republic, enjoying the beautiful vista. Always makes one humbled to hear others praising the beauty of one’s own country, especially as my thoughts quickly turned to recent grumbles over the shocking amount of roadside litter, almost everywhere.
Anyway, we shared a few snaps, by which time I had resolved to make for Sgorr nam Fiannaidh, the munro at the west side of the Aonach Eagach ridge. I headed for Cnap Glas, occassionally finding a bit of a trail here and there, but gradually had to make my way up, through nice, firm snow, eventually putting on microspikes for added grip. Once onto the ridge, it was a short stroll out to the munro, though I must have taken ages, marvelling at the beauty of the Aonach Eagach, Glencoe hills to the south, Mamores and a barely visible, Ben Nevis.
A few moments contemplating my previous journey across the ridge, then I spotted the Czech couple at the descent point from the ridge. I fired off a few photo’s of them and soon caught up, to share their company on the journey back down. It was a pleasure meeting you, Vojtech and Maya (hope, I've got that right!). Back to the car in five and a half hours. Where did the time go? Still, enough time left to sample a wee lemon and ginger cider in the Ballachulish Hotel, though I may have to cancel my planned retirement ...... if I ever go back for a large one?