Exquisite views, magical clouds and a nonagenarian hero
Posted: Fri Sep 16, 2016 3:42 pmThe first time Moira and I set out to climb these two MWIS gave 70% chance of cloud free summits but when we reached the White Corries ski station the cloud was well down and the view from the web cam at the top station looked like a Victorian London smog so we pulled the plug and went to find the Lost Valley instead.
Our second arrival in the car park was infinitely more promising with blue skies and sunshine and even if it hadn't been I think we were determined that after the long drive this time we were not planning on being deflected from our goal!
From the buildings at the top of the chair lift we followed the path to the right, over a couple of funny metal bridges, heading in a westerly direction towards the broad north ridge up Meall a' Bhuiridh.
Rannoch moor and chair lift
Meall a' Bhuiridh
Moira had plotted the WH route into her GPS unit and pointed out we were to the right of where we should be. But to take a line to the left of the path we were on would have had us heading into an expanse of peat hags which didn't look a good idea so after about 15 minutes we turned round and headed back towards the top of the chair lift, this time taking a vehicle track towards a higher ski station where some work was going on supplied with regular bucket loads of concrete ferried in by a helicopter. We didn't know what the helicopter was unloading until we walked past so there was some benefit in changing our route up the hill - just to get a good nosey at it!
Passing this hive of concrete-laying activity we traversed up the side of the hill, with views behind improving all the time.
Helicopter delivering cement to ski station
Higher up the going changed from grassy to craggy then stony and we occasionally found traces of a path but it was only on the way down we found the proper path which led us down the broad ridge to meet the path we had been on in the first place.
Zoomed to Ben Nevis
A seat in the sun
Suddenly we reached the summit cairn which was a pleasant surprise because for some reason I expected it to be further away than it was (no I wasn't checking the map which might have helped to prepare me for where the top was situated!). A mother and daughter were sitting at the cairn waiting for the father and son to return from Creise, and they offered to take our photo. Take note of the clouds behind us - the skies were spectacular all day.
Meall a' Bhuiridh summit cairn
East to Rannoch Moor with single cone of Schiehallion visible centre left
South to Loch Tulla, Stob a' Choire Odhair and Stob Ghabhar
West towards the ridge extending from Clach Leathad to Creise
Knowing we'd be back on the return we didn't hang around at the summit for too long but started down the rocky ridge to the col with the steep ascent to the ridge of Creise ahead.
View north from descent to col
Zoomed to gorge carved out by the Allt Carn Ghinne and the Kingshouse Hotel beyond
At the col with Meall a' Bhuiridh behind
The ascent from the col was easier than it looked. Just before topping out on the ridge there was a short rocky chimney requiring what looked like a bit of a step up so not being as flexible of joint as we once were we bypassed it over rocks on the left. As we often do we wondered how it would be on the descent, but it was no problem at all.
Cairn where ascent path reaches ridge, looking towards Creise summit
Looking back at Meall a' Bhuiridh
From another angle
Following ridge to summit
We followed the gentle ascent up the ridge towards the summit cairn and the views were so good decided to continue further along towards Sron na Creise.
Bhuachaille Etive Mor from east end of Creise ridge
Zoomed to Nevis, Mamores and Grey Corries
Bhuachaille Etive Mor
Zoomed to Glen Etive
Returning to Creise summit
Back at the Creise summit we met two other walkers. The older guy had already compleated three rounds of the Munros and said he occasionally accompanies the oldest living Munroist (compleated in 1953) who is now 90..... and still out climbing Munros! He has slowed down a lot and has a dodgy knee but all the same that's seriously impressive and I doubt many of us will be walking up any kind of a hill at 90!
Back at the col - Coire an Easain and tiny Loch an Easain
Zoomed to Loch Tulla and Orchy hills
From the top of Meall a' Bhuiridh we followed the path down through the boulders and scree, leading to an easy descent down the north ridge, then cutting across the edge of the boggy area to rejoin the path we'd been on at the start which led back to the two metal bridges and the top of the chair lift.
The descent down the path by the side of the Allt na Giubhas was the least pleasant part of the day. Out of the breeze and the sun we were plagued by midges and being a rough path needing careful footwork there was only so much you could do to deter them. At one point Moira had a slip on mud, hurting her back on a projecting rock, which wasn't the best end to an otherwise fabulous day.
Once back at the car park we went into the cafe for a cold drink and a bite to eat before getting on our way up the road to home. At Glencoe village the sun was setting over Loch Leven. It was probably past its best but we had to stop for some quick photos and the icing on the cake was a heron fishing at the edge of the loch. But I can't decide which one is best. So here they all are for your invaluable judgment - all opinions gratefully received!
Our second arrival in the car park was infinitely more promising with blue skies and sunshine and even if it hadn't been I think we were determined that after the long drive this time we were not planning on being deflected from our goal!
From the buildings at the top of the chair lift we followed the path to the right, over a couple of funny metal bridges, heading in a westerly direction towards the broad north ridge up Meall a' Bhuiridh.
Rannoch moor and chair lift
Meall a' Bhuiridh
Moira had plotted the WH route into her GPS unit and pointed out we were to the right of where we should be. But to take a line to the left of the path we were on would have had us heading into an expanse of peat hags which didn't look a good idea so after about 15 minutes we turned round and headed back towards the top of the chair lift, this time taking a vehicle track towards a higher ski station where some work was going on supplied with regular bucket loads of concrete ferried in by a helicopter. We didn't know what the helicopter was unloading until we walked past so there was some benefit in changing our route up the hill - just to get a good nosey at it!
Passing this hive of concrete-laying activity we traversed up the side of the hill, with views behind improving all the time.
Helicopter delivering cement to ski station
Higher up the going changed from grassy to craggy then stony and we occasionally found traces of a path but it was only on the way down we found the proper path which led us down the broad ridge to meet the path we had been on in the first place.
Zoomed to Ben Nevis
A seat in the sun
Suddenly we reached the summit cairn which was a pleasant surprise because for some reason I expected it to be further away than it was (no I wasn't checking the map which might have helped to prepare me for where the top was situated!). A mother and daughter were sitting at the cairn waiting for the father and son to return from Creise, and they offered to take our photo. Take note of the clouds behind us - the skies were spectacular all day.
Meall a' Bhuiridh summit cairn
East to Rannoch Moor with single cone of Schiehallion visible centre left
South to Loch Tulla, Stob a' Choire Odhair and Stob Ghabhar
West towards the ridge extending from Clach Leathad to Creise
Knowing we'd be back on the return we didn't hang around at the summit for too long but started down the rocky ridge to the col with the steep ascent to the ridge of Creise ahead.
View north from descent to col
Zoomed to gorge carved out by the Allt Carn Ghinne and the Kingshouse Hotel beyond
At the col with Meall a' Bhuiridh behind
The ascent from the col was easier than it looked. Just before topping out on the ridge there was a short rocky chimney requiring what looked like a bit of a step up so not being as flexible of joint as we once were we bypassed it over rocks on the left. As we often do we wondered how it would be on the descent, but it was no problem at all.
Cairn where ascent path reaches ridge, looking towards Creise summit
Looking back at Meall a' Bhuiridh
From another angle
Following ridge to summit
We followed the gentle ascent up the ridge towards the summit cairn and the views were so good decided to continue further along towards Sron na Creise.
Bhuachaille Etive Mor from east end of Creise ridge
Zoomed to Nevis, Mamores and Grey Corries
Bhuachaille Etive Mor
Zoomed to Glen Etive
Returning to Creise summit
Back at the Creise summit we met two other walkers. The older guy had already compleated three rounds of the Munros and said he occasionally accompanies the oldest living Munroist (compleated in 1953) who is now 90..... and still out climbing Munros! He has slowed down a lot and has a dodgy knee but all the same that's seriously impressive and I doubt many of us will be walking up any kind of a hill at 90!
Back at the col - Coire an Easain and tiny Loch an Easain
Zoomed to Loch Tulla and Orchy hills
From the top of Meall a' Bhuiridh we followed the path down through the boulders and scree, leading to an easy descent down the north ridge, then cutting across the edge of the boggy area to rejoin the path we'd been on at the start which led back to the two metal bridges and the top of the chair lift.
The descent down the path by the side of the Allt na Giubhas was the least pleasant part of the day. Out of the breeze and the sun we were plagued by midges and being a rough path needing careful footwork there was only so much you could do to deter them. At one point Moira had a slip on mud, hurting her back on a projecting rock, which wasn't the best end to an otherwise fabulous day.
Once back at the car park we went into the cafe for a cold drink and a bite to eat before getting on our way up the road to home. At Glencoe village the sun was setting over Loch Leven. It was probably past its best but we had to stop for some quick photos and the icing on the cake was a heron fishing at the edge of the loch. But I can't decide which one is best. So here they all are for your invaluable judgment - all opinions gratefully received!
but it turned out so easy, lots of hopping and jumping up the boulders and next to no scrambling. It was covered in melting snow when we did it, but we really enjoyed it. Great views from the ridge, too.
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