A Rather Unorthodox Way Up

[Backpacker]

I haven't done a trip report in a while but after yesterdays escapades I thought I would.

After a week of debate and me wanting a drier underfoot outing after last weeks Gairloch WH meet, we decided to head into the Mamores.

I met up with Dave and Jim at the starting point and we decided to do the round anti-clockwise and we headed up through the forest with the conditions looking like they might play ball.

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (1 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

That's the last photo lower down on the way up as I'll explain. We followed the path through the forest and ended up somewhere taking a wrong turn as the track petered out to a trampled path eventually to nothing and we found ourselves below the ridge we should have been on.

We had a bit of a debate with the course of action being decided to head straight up, it started off not TOO bad going up through the remains of a felled forest but as we gained height the angle got steeper not helped with nothing but 3ft heather to plough through. at one point I noticed a grassy section over to my left with some rocks above it so made my way over, the grassy section helped bit the rocky part was just scree possibly avalanche remains. There were a couple of boulders the size of a football dislodged and sent hurtling down into the nothingness below. Ok, better stick to the heather.

Finally the dear fence came into view and we were finally back on track. It took us about an hour to fix our mistake so no idea if we gained or lost any time. With us being back on track I was happy to whip the camera out and take some pictures.

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (2 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (4 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

With us now being back on track it was a simple hop over the stile (after finding a way of getting the dogs through the fence) and an easy ascent up and saunter over to the days 1st target Mullach nan Coirean. Due to the rather lasrge summit area you do lose a bit of depth in the view but the views were still outstanding.

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (7 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (10 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (15 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

After a bite to eat and get some layers on as the wind had picked right up and it was baltic, we headed along the ridge towards our 2nd target of the day, Stob Ban. The ridge is pretty much a high level stroll with very few ups and downs. Despite the cold and occasional snow shower on our way over, there were still plenty of photo opportunities and they were taken advantage of.

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (16 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (18 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (23 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (20 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

The picture above shows our mistake earlier in the day, from the forest track in the bottom of the picture, we took a straight line approach to the ridge

As we approached the ascent we met a couple of walkers who we had spoken to in the carpark coming the other way who said that the going up should be good but to watch out for a cornice in the dip before the final push up Stob Ban. sure enough it was an easy enough ascent. I probably could have put my crampons of but sticking by the rock I had plenty of grip not to worry.

The views from this summit were better than the views from the previous.

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (27 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (28 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (30 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

All that was left was the walk down, bit steep initially but eventually leveled out

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (31 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (32 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (34 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (35 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (40 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean (41 of 43) by GaryE1981, on Flickr

Picture above shows the large cornice coming off/approaching Stob Ban.

We just followed the path back arriving back at the car just shy of 7 hours later.

[Cairngorm creeper]

Great report and photos. I think footpaths through forests are always the biggest navigational challenge

[Jaxter]

Forest footpaths.... Reminds me of D of E where my group spent 3 hours lost in a forest....told them they shoulda listened to me!!

Cracking photos! Yesterday was a great day to be out!

[Alteknacker]

Looks like it was a great day. Some really excellent pics