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The weekend didn't have the best of starts....leaving Glasgow on Friday morning, my mind was so preoccupied with what I could have forgotten that I missed the M876 turning and ended up heading to Stirling instead of work in Edinburgh...dignity already in tatters
Getting away at lunchtime it was overcast and spotting with rain, but the sun was out by the time I passed through Callander and I arrived in Kinlochleven in weather than could have been mistaken for July
Checking in with the hostel warden and sorting things for the arrival of everyone else, I chucked on some more appropriate clothes and flew back doon the road to Glencoe village. Parked up, map out and off I went
Friday 21st AprilPap of Glencoe
6.7 km
759m ascent
2 hours 10 mins
It might sound strange, but I had always seen the Pap of Glencoe as a landmark rather than a hill to be climbed. It wasn’t actually until the Gairloch meet and a quiz question about the real name of it (Sgorr na Ciche, rather than our guess of Meall Pappa apparently
) that made me think of going up.
Looking ahead
It was very warm and I was sweating like a pig
there were lots of folk out, and I chatted to some of them but I was on a mission. Crossed the bridge and bog trotted across the hillside where the path rose steeply upwards. It was unrelenting and I was enjoying the challenge.
Stopping to look behind me, the views were absolutely fantastic. Hopefully the sun would still be out at the top!
Towards Ballachulish and Loch Leven
Once up the steep bit the path levels out and becomes boggy, which then makes way for boulders....my favourite
The pimple-like summit of the Pap is just ahead and the path is obvious most of the way up with a bit of rock hopping required.
Pap ahoy
Arriving at the top, the views were just wonderful. It wasn't too windy either, the bigger hills behind blocking the worst of it.
Mamores galore
Beinn a’Bheithir and Loch Leven
I met a lovely French couple and we took each other's photos. They were touring the highlands so I warned them about the road closures for the Etape on Sunday before figuring I should head back to the hostel.
Beinn a’Bheithir
Loch Leven and Garbh Bheinn
At the bealach I bumped into Lynne, great minds
I decided to take a short cut from here and headed down a path which soon became a very slippy bog. I caught up with 3 others who said it was better than their route up
Evening light on Glencoe
Loch Leven and Garbh Bheinn (Ardgour)
An impressive panorama
The Pap and Cnap Glas
Dignity intact, I got back to the car and drove the few miles back to Kinlochleven to meet some of my favourite people and make plans.
Loch Leven
Beinn a’Bheithir
The Pap and Sgorr nam Fiannaidh
Evening light on Loch Leven
Garbh Bheinn (Kinlochleven)
Saturday 22nd AprilEastern Mamores – Sgurr Eilde Mor, Binnein Beag, Binnein Mor & Na Grui
22.1km
2000m ascent
9 hours
The following morning an intrepid group set off from the hostel. J888ohn with the mountain mutt, Big Tommo, Yorjick, Tinman, RMed37 and myself headed along the road and up the path near the Grey Mares waterfall. Neil Farnham and Parminder were ahead of us, as was Monty (although he'd probably nearly finished by now
)
We followed the maze of paths through the woods and eventually came out on the correct path, climbing steeply upwards. The views back the way made it well worth it (and gave an excuse for regular breaks
) but height was climbed quickly and easily as the banter flowed as freely as the whisky was likely to later on
Can’t decide which I like better
Three Musketeers
At the hydro track, Steve broke off as he had a different route up Sgurr Eilde Mor in mind. We agreed to meet him at the Lochans and carried on. Walking around a corner we were surprised to see a huge group of around 200 people brushing teeth and brewing tea. They were on a three day trek.
The path climbed easily around the side of Sgor Eilde Beag and approaching the top we met up with Neil and Parminder who joined our group and soon had to stop for waterproofs as it had started snowing...
We made our way around the lochans in the clag and snow and saw Steve the other side of them before following a steep scree path up the side of Sgurr Eilde Mor.
Heading up Sgurr Eilde Mor
At the summit we met Steve who had come up the other side and also David, Old Woodpusher who was already there. He joined our crew. We enjoyed the views which were now clearing and we could see our next target, Binnein Beag. It looked a long way away!
Binnein Beag from Sgurr Eilde Mor
Binnein Mor, almost clear
Stob Ban and the Grey Corries
Binnein Mor and Na Gruagaichean
Jaxter on Sgurr Eilde Mor
Geoff, Ross, David, John, Lee, Steve and me. And the Mountain Mutt
We descended the same way and cut across to a path snaking around the side of the bulk of Binnein Mor. There was quite a loss of height here and we stopped for some scran in a sheltered bit. The decision was made here to split the group as some were planning to add in all 4 hills and some just the 2.
Arriving at the bealach we could see the Ben!
The final pull up Binnein Beag
John, Lee and Ross headed off at a quicker pace and I was attempting to be sensible and stayed with David, Geoff and Steve. However, during the ascent of Binnein Beag I caught up with the crazies and they persuaded me to come with them.
Binnein Mor from Binnein Beag
Ben Nevis and the Aonachs
Sgurr Eilde Mor and Glencoe hills behind
Stob Ban and the Grey Corries
Iconic Schiehallion
Stob Ban, Grey Corries and Easains
Ross, John & Lee on Binnein Beag
Saying to goodbye to the others at the top of Binnein Beag, we headed down the path before instigating SLS, straight line syndrome and heading for the wee lochans below Binnein Mor. From here we headed straight up a brutally steep (but mercifully short) climb onto the ridge.
Looking back to Binnein Beag, looks tiny and we’re not anywhere near the summit of BM yet
At this point Lee gave us some words of wisdom “This hill-walking is great, except for all the ups and downs”
After catching our breath it was a lovely ridge walk up onto the summit of Binnein Mor, and what a viewpoint
I was so glad I'd decided to carry on; it had been a beautiful day last time I was here but everything looked so different in snow!
The ring of Steall
The Bridge of Orchy hills with Ben More and Stob Binnein behind
Na Gruagaichean and An Garbanach
Looking ahead to Na Gruagaichean, I couldn't resist. My knee felt fine so I thought I'd deal with the horrific descent which would follow it
Na Gruagaichean
We headed off down the ridge and headed across the narrow bit, which didn't feel hairy at all without the snow
I kept waiting for the narrow bit but it never came! The final wee pull to the summit was over and there we were, final summit of the day
Looking back to Binnein Mor
Looking over the Aonach Eagach to Bidean nam Bian
The Steally Ring
Down Loch Leven to Beinn a’Bheithir
Three crazies on Na Gruagaichean
Another crazy
From here we followed the ridge down to a cairn and turned right. There was a vague path but eventually it petered out and we were route finding.
Looking back up
Avoiding the steepest parts we made our way down until it became boggy and what followed could only be described as a comedy act as we all slipped and slid our way down. Slide of the day has to go to Lee as he managed to go flying and slid about 10 metres before landing in a heap. We obviously laughed at him before thinking to check he was ok
Never has a track been so welcome, and from here it was an easy but seemingly never ending path down to Kinlochleven. As we were approaching the hostel we caught up with 2manyyorkies returning from Sgurr Eilde Mor. We were surprised to learn that we had actually beaten the other half of our group back! Our trip had been less distance in total (although obviously more ascent!)
Poor Mountain Mutt seemed to be broken and passed out for the evening, missing out on a fantastic quiz and cracking banter. Thanks must go to maestro Scotjamie for a challenging but entertaining quiz and my helpful elves Tomyboy73, Malky_c and Hutchy1 for helping me with the 3am washing up sesh
Sunday 23rd AprilGarbh Bheinn
6.5km
900m ascent
2 hours 40 mins
The following morning arrived after very little sleep, however the hostel was still standing and I relinquished all responsibility just after 10 as RMed37 and I jumped into Blondie and headed up the road a few miles. I was designated driver
Boots on, we headed up the initially boggy path up Garbh Bheinn. It was brutally steep all the way and we just went for it. The weather looked to be closing in and we wanted to beat it to the top!
The backside of the Aonach Eagach looked impressive
Loch Leven and the Pap
We could see a big group ahead of us and we caught them up as they reached the summit. They turned out to be Walkhighlanders, the ringleader the infamous troublemaker The Rodmeister
Loch Eilde Mor and the Blackwater Reservoir
The weather looked to be closing in. After some socialising, Ross and I were getting cold so headed off down, saying goodbye to Rod, Gill, Lynne, Margaret and Pam
Impressive wee hill this one
The descent made us realise how steep it had been coming up (as if the sweat pouring off us wasn't evidence enough
) but it certainly did the job quickly. A bit more slipping around saw us back at the car, and a short drive back into Kinlochleven saw Ross back at his car.
Despite the forecast it had turned into a gorgeous afternoon and although I toyed with the idea of another hill I decided to be sensible and head home for an early night
It was a beautiful drive home after a great weekend; thanks to everyone who made it so special and good luck to Anne with organising the next one