Beag-ing For More of This!

[roscoT]

buachaille etive beag.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Out and about again for the third Saturday in a row - unheard of for me in Winter! The forecast steadily improved throughout the week until by the end of the working week the sun and cloudless skies were to dominate in the western ranges - 'to Glencoe!', I decided.

I was to be joined by an old school friend, Tom, who i'd not seen for a while and who was to provide great company at the same time as popping his Munro cherry. A good crust of ice was scraped from the car as I left at 7.15am, picking Tom up in Glasgow at 8 then taking 2 hours to drive to Glencoe, where conditions alternated between pea soup and crisp sunshine. By the time we got past Bridge of Orchy and looked up towards Rannoch Moor, we knew this was going to be a cracker

Had chosen Buachaille Etive Beag partly because it was Tom's first (which actually was totally naive as it turns out he is fitter than me!) and partly because the 23K slog in the snow at Beinn a' Ghlo last week had taken it out of me - the potential rewards far outweighed the effort of a mere 8K walk here. We arrived at the already busy car park at 10am, still a good chill in the air, and set off into the Lairig Eilde via the excellent path.

P1030918 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

We gained height very quickly - paths with steps are a wonderful thing - and soon had views of Stob Coire Sgreamhach peaking out from behind Beinn Fhada. Working up a good sweat, we were at the Bealach Mam Buidhe in a mere 45 minutes, confronted at once by the blinding sun from the south.

P1030921 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030923 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Bathed in sunshine, the high ridge of the bealach between the munros offered views over the cloud patched Lairig Gartain to Buachaille Etive Mor and, further west, Glen Etive. Although far better was to come as regards the latter. We climbed quickly up to the 902m cairn, which we (or I) mistook to be the summit in my haste on the approach - some guide! There are fantastic views of Aonach Eagach, Bidian nam Biam and Ben Nevis - 3 of the top 10 mountains in Scotland on anyone's list, surely?

Stob Coire Raineach and BEM by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030926 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Aonach Eagach by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

towards Stob Dubh by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Bidean nam Bian by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Ben Nevis by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

After some food, we moved onwards towards the imposing Stob Dubh, its steep flank covered in shade. Beyond lay the equally imposing shadows of Glen Etive and the Ben Starav group. Behind, views were enhanced by the patches of low-lying cloud against the brilliant blue sky. The approach is fairly gentle until the final steep and rocky pull. Just before the summit, a hollywood view of Loch Etive squeezes out to the left that is simply breathtaking.

P1030931 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030933 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Hollywood by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

The Lost Valley by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030936 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030937 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

At risk of repeating myself over and over, the views from the summit were sublime, the air crisp and fresh, and the wind surprisingly light. We had lunch and some tea from a thermos (cheers Tom!) and took some photos (both for ourselves and some others who arrived) for a while. Could've stayed here all day

P1030941 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030942 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Ben Dorain and co by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030949 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Stob Dearg and Stob na Doire zoomed by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030953 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Eventually, grudgingly, we started to descend back along the ridge, alongside another lad from Glasgow who was good crack. A great way to spend a Saturday morning, we agreed - free leisure, not to be sniffed at!

P1030955 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030957 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030961 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

The climb from the bealach to Stob Coire Raineach is steep but short. The speed of our climbing hitherto meant there was some lactic acid coursing through the quads on the ascent, Tom putting me to shame. At the summit here, we ventured down and west to get a better view of Glen Coe and Loch Leven. The air was still incredibly still, giving an eerie feel. We took a pretty dodgy descent route back to the bealach, slightly to the northwest of the path, which involved some hair-raising (but fun) scree surfing and downward bumshuffles. We followed the excellent stepped path again into the Lairig Eilde and were back in the car in no time.

Buachaille Etive Beag may not be the most imposing of hills or difficult of climbs when compared to some of its neighbours - but the problem with being on the grandstanding hills, is that you can't actually see how they look. With this wee beauty of a walk, you get the best of both worlds.

Stob Coire Raineach summit by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030965 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030967 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030969 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Loch Leven by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030972 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030974 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030975 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030976 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

P1030980 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

[katyhills]

Glorious set of photos Ross. You're absolutely right - the bigger hills are great to do, but the best views of them are from other hills! It's a lovely walk - quite underrated - and you couldn't have had better conditions for it. The views you get of Bidean from there are superb. Hope your friend has got the biug now too

I was in Kinlochleven on one of the Corbetts the same day - what a day to be out, wasn't it? Better than half the summer days!

[Cairngorm creeper]

Beautiful photos and absolutely agree about the view of it bigger neighbours.

[apollo0815]

I love your report, and your pics.
Sorry to see, that I am not the only one who has the problem with dirt on his image sensor.