Fhionnlaidh's Fudgey Fingers

[Jaxter]

I hadn’t been out on the hills with Colin in a while, but the planets aligned and we found ourselves following a typical Jaxter “let’s head here and see where we end up” plan down Glen Etive

We found a parking spot just before Invercharnan, booted up and headed off down the track towards Beinn Fhionnlaidh.


It was still a wee bit hazy but the views down Glen Etive to Ben Starav, Ben Cruachan in the distance and Beinn Trileachean were already impressive.


We reached the end of the track for real and it became a lot less firm underfoot. We dodged some boggier areas and made it across a couple of very dry burns.

Looking backwards to the Ben Starav hills


We met a Ptarmigan – Colin fannied around taking hunners of photos of it. I went in search of more water from a waterfall as I was already beginning to melt


As we climbed up Meall nan Gobhar the gradient increased but it meant we were gaining height quickly! I was being very careful to avoid a rib disaster but everything seemed to be feeling ok.

Another excuse to stop….


From Starav to Sgulaird


Ben Starav and Beinn Trilleachean with Loch Etive


Stunning Starav


Despite being steep it was an easy climb up to the top of Coire Reidh and once there we were able to see the final ascent to the top of Beinn Fhionnlaidh


As we gained more height we were able to see across to the fabulous Beinn a’ Bheithir; very different looking without snow!


Sgorr na h-Ulaidh and Bidean


A few scrambles later and we were on the summit of Beinn Fhionnlaidh – it was still a wee bit hazy but it was absolutely glorious Colin produced a couple of fudge fingers leading to a lot of inappropriate jokes

Of course I climbed the trig point


The Bookles down to Ben Starav


Trilleachean round to Fraochaidh


The Bookles and the hills above the ski centre


Beinn a’ Bheithir


Colin doing his thing on the top of Beinn Fhionnlaidh




Beinn Sgulaird and Loch Creran


The Ben with Sgorr na h-Ulaidh


We chilled for a while and it started to clear slightly


But it was quite windy so once we started getting cold we decided it was time to get moving. There were a few awkward bits to get down (although I made it harder by missing the easy options ) And past the bealach the views back up Glen Etive were even better






Ben Starav, Cruachan and Trilleachean


Looking back to Fhionnlaidh


Ahead


We followed the fenceposts downwards; initially it was a sensible gradient and there was evidence of footfall (we weren’t sure if it was human or animal ) We were able to avoid the crags and still enjoyed stunning views North


Colin and Jura trying to get a better photo than me


Soon the gradient got too steep and the crags were blocking the route so we headed down a bit further to the right where it was much easier, even for me in my very old boot with no grip Seems I need to fork out for some new footwear…

Short person problems


Back on easier ground we crossed over ground that looked like it ought to be boggy…but wasn’t… Yay for dry weather

Looking back we could see what we’d just come down


The Ben Starav ridge


We climbed higher towards the bealach Clach nam Meirleach and found a nice spot to pause for some food as we were both starving


From the bealach it was a steep climb but there were smatterings of path which led us steadily upwards to the summit of Sgorr na h-Ulaidh where Colin dug out some more fingers of fudge We were soon joined by a group of other folk who had come up over Stob an Fhuarain.



Looking over Stob an Fhuarain Bidean looked super impressive


Ben Nevis


Beinn Fhionnlaidh and Loch Creran


Ben Starav and friends


Beinn Maol Challuim, Stob Coire Sgreamhach and the Bookles


Looking back


Buachaille Etive Mor


Scoping out our onwards route – Beinn Maol Challuim’s impassable crags


Ben Nevis


The Aonach Eagach and the Mamores


A wee bit of posing….




Loch Creran and Mull


Glencoe village


Meall Lighiche and Beinn a’ Bheithir – this was giving me ideas for a future walk


After enjoying the views for a bit longer we started heading down the ridge – figured we may as well have a look at the ascent to BMC – we could always drop down from the bealach and the ridge looked like too much fun to miss

Looking back up to Sgorr na h-Ulaidh – it had been a steep descent to the bealach!


Beinn Maol Challuim, Bookles and Clach Leathad from Stob an Fhuarain


Bookles, Clach Leathad and Stob Dubh


Stob Dubh with Meall nan Eun and Stob Coire an Albannaich behind


The Ben with the AE below


Meall Lighiche, Fraochaidh and Beinn a’ Bheithir


Looking back from Stob an Fhuarain to Sgorr na h-Ulaidh


View to Loch Etive


We continued down the ridge – it was a joy to walk along and the views were still awesome


As we got closer Bidean was becoming huge


Looking down Fhionn Ghleann


Colin waiting for me to have yet another pee


Looking back to the impressive Sgorr na h-Ulaidh


The final descent down to bealach Fhionnghaill was steep but we managed to dodge the crags without incident. We had thought to climb up steep ground to the right of the crags but once at the bealach Colin suggested that the left hand side actually looked easier. I realised he had a point (although there were sections which we couldn’t see… )


Fortunately we managed to make it to the top without incident and the views were just stunning

Loch Etive


Bidean


Loch Etive, our two conquests from today and Beinn a’ Bheithir


Colin couldn’t decide which was the better backdrop so did both




Looking down the ridge towards Ben Starav


It felt so awesome to be out on the hills after 5pm and not being worried about daylight! Summer evenings are awesome

Beinn a’ Bheithir


Beinn Fhionnlaidh, Sgorr na h-Ulaidh and Stob an Fhuarain


Colin and Jura on Beinn Maol Challuim


Stunning Loch Etive


It was still quite windy and it had been a long day so after enjoying the views a little longer we started to head down the long ridge. The views down Loch Etive improved as we dropped lower


Our day’s peaks again




We found a sheltered spot for another wee snack – Colin handing out his final Fudge fingers….


Bookles and Glen Etive


Loch Etive again


Looking back up


And a last view down Loch Etive


We dropped much more steeply; negotiating boulders, then tussocks, the boulders and tussocks….


Looking back up to the bealach


From here it was an easy walk along a forest track back to the car. No bogs were fallen into…..

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[tall-story]

Fantastic Jackie, you covered the days events perfectly It's always a pleasure to walk with you and I look forward to our next on or off piste ramble in the hills

[Jaxter]

Fantastic Jackie, you covered the days events perfectly It's always a pleasure to walk with you and I look forward to our next on or off piste ramble in the hills

Cheers Colin, until next time

[Graeme D]

Dinnae mention ANY of these hills to me! They're all EVIL!

[Alteknacker]

Some great pics there - too many to single out any in particular . It's really a fabulous area. If the weather's good, you can just take pics endlessly - brilliant in every direction. I had one of my best hill days ever here.

Interesting that you chose to go for BMC. When I was planning a walk in this area (a couple of years ago), I looked on the map at this, and was surprised that more folk hadn't reported on it - it seemed (confirmed once I'd been up it) to have plenty of character - although, unless you head for Bidean, there's a heck of a drop between it and the hills you did!!!

I guess your ascent of BMC was to the right, rather than to the left???? I did the more or less the same route as you, but anticlockwise, and I remember the most dramatic high vertical cliffs to the left of the bealach between BMC and Stob an Fhurain. And I recall thinking: I'd hate to be trying to get down to the bealach from BMC in clag! There looked to be a long drop if you got it a bit wrong . I wrote something on this in my WHR with a view to warning folk who followed a similar route.

[rockhopper]

Nice loop - quite a few variations possible in the hills around here but good to bring in the Corbett - cheers

Short person problems

compared to some, I know the problem well - cheers

[Jaxter]

Dinnae mention ANY of these hills to me! They're all EVIL!

Tough wee buggers arent they!

I guess your ascent of BMC was to the right, rather than to the left???? I did the more or less the same route as you, but anticlockwise, and I remember the most dramatic high vertical cliffs to the left of the bealach between BMC and Stob an Fhurain. And I recall thinking: I'd hate to be trying to get down to the bealach from BMC in clag! There looked to be a long drop if you got it a bit wrong . I wrote something on this in my WHR with a view to warning folk who followed a similar route.

Looking at BMC from the bealach we traversed left along a wee bit then headed up kind of diagonally through the crags to the ridge then turned right towards the summit. It was fine in ascent but wouldnt have fancied coming down that way!

Nice loop - quite a few variations possible in the hills around here but good to bring in the Corbett - cheers

Short person problems

compared to some, I know the problem well - cheers

Love a good corbett!!