Blackmount Corbetts the long way

[jackfrost]

On Sunday evening (29th May), I parked up at Victoria Bridge and walked north along the West Highland Way to Ba Bridge before leaving the track and heading into Coire Ba where i camped.

Evening camp in Coire Ba looking towards the Bridge of Orchy hills

After a peaceful night, I woke to a fantastic sunrise over Rannoch Moor and was ready to go by 7am.

And in the morning, looking to Stob a Choire Odhair

My ridiculous route started up the steep ridge of Sron nam Forsair and within an hour I was at 3000ft, clouds billowing around the coire below. Some great views over to Meall a Bhuiridh and across the moor.

From Sron nam Forsair looking over Rannoch Moor

Looking north towards Creise

Meall a Bhuiridh

From Clach Leathad, I continued west to descend to the bealach at 698m and then horse up my first Corbett of the day - Beinn Mhic Chasgaig. I planted an antler branch in the cairn.

From the Corbett of Beinn Mhic Chasgaig north across Glen Etive/Coe and beyond

telephoto of Stob Dearg, Crowberry Tower prominent

Then I descended very steeply, but on good grassy terrain to the Allt coire Ghiubhasan, losing all my height to reach ~200m

butterwort in flower

The heat down here was stifling, and I started to struggle a bit here. I took on a load of water and refuelled with nuts/raisins etc. Then battled my way in the heat haze onto the rough meandering ridge of Beinn Ceitlein. Once at 700m, I found a good contour to trot along on the west side and headed towards the next objective - Stob Dubh:

the Corbett of Stob Dubh from the west side of Beinn Ceitlein

I dumped the bag below the final climb. I was 5hours in when I reached the summit.

Next it was a turn to the south and a descent to a 360m bealach where I found a dribble of water. Then climbed very steeply through diagonal crags zig-zagging my way onto the ridge of Meall Odhar. I was now peching, and almost expiring. But eventually the ground levelled out and I was able to crank up the pace along the broad grassy ridge heading towards Stob Ghabhar. Sadly, after 7hrs 19mins, the battery on my Garmin died. I felt the same way.

North towards Etive/Coe from near Stob Ghabhar

After passing over Stob a Bhruach Leith, I decided to give the Munro of Stob Ghabhar a miss and drop directly south to reach the track at Clashgour where I hoped I'd be able to switch off for the car park return. My feet were starting to ache now.

Creag Bhulgach west of Stob Ghabhar

Unfortunately, the track was no salvation for my feet and I winced at a slow pace for the final 3 or so km back to Victoria Bridge. I had to stop for a break at a bridge only 1km short of my finish line. I was startled to see a deer hind emerge from the water in the culvert under thr track and then stroll nonchalantly across the Abhainn Shira.

Back at the car, my misery was not over. Having removed my boots and socks and thrown them in the car boot. I then closed the boot with the car keys inside! There I was bare foot, with only shorts and a t-shirt on with the midges descending in the middle of the Highlands. Fortunately my panic only lasted 5minutes - when I realised the boot was not fully closed. Once I'd forced it shut, it then let me re-open it. Phew.

Anyway, in hindsight my route was far too long, but took me to some lonely glens and hills I'd never visited before. the camp in Coire Ba was special.

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