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This little outing was planned to coincide with George's gang tackling the dreaded Aonach Eagach, I offered to be the duty driver at the other end of the ridge.
The fantastic summer of sunshine was still ongoing and Colin later reported that the temperature on the ridge had reached 30deg, which explains why I was struggling ascending the Pap after the Wee Bookil.
The plan was for me to ferry Kev & George would squish the rest in his large machine. I had arranged to pick Kev up at the P&R and meet George on the A985 just after Valleyfield. All went according plan and we stopped for a bacon roll and a coffee at the Green Welly.
As I expected Glencoe was already busy when we arrived at about 9.15 and George wasn't able to park in the normal parking area, so had to walk an extra 50m. Once Kev was ready I departed and wished them all well and headed off to my car park.
My car park was bigger and only had about 4 free spaces, once ready I was on my way. The path starts just at the edge of the car park and is probably one of the best constructed. Ascending you don't really notice the amount of work that had been done, on the descent is becomes very obvious - as it is like coming down the stairs at home. Umpteen large stones have been placed and make the descent very easy, however as you reach the bottom you do appreciate a different surface.
The plan was to regroup on the Pap of Glencoe, which in theory was doable and a good plan, however the scorching conditions had other ideas.
Looking west down Glencoe from the car park for AE
Wee Bookil car park
Am Bodach on the AE
Not much water, selfie
Bidean
AE
Stob Coire Raineach, 2nd summit for me
Wee and Big Bookil
The Ben
Grey Corries
Bidean
1st summit Stob Dubh
Big Bookil
The Ben and co
Loch Etive and Ben Starav
Etive zoomed
Bidean
The Ben again
2nd summit again
AE ridge
360deg shot from summit of Stob Dubh
Big Bookil
Looking back to Stob Dubh and Bidean
Looking back to the 1st summit from the 2nd
Looking down on Glencoe
After a shade over 3 & half hours I was back at the car, I was very, very hot as was the car when I opened the door and the boot. I had already consumed the majority of my 3lit of juice and with hindsight should have filled it up in the burn higher up.
So it was now a drive down through Glencoe that was absolutely heaving with cars and buses all parked and why some of these folk want to sit in a car park is beyond me.
Now I thought I knew where the car park for the Pap was, however it turned out I didn't - after a bit of driving round the village I found it and then set off on part 2 of the day. The temperature was in the high 20's and it wasn't too long before I was beginning to think this wasn't such a good idea. There are umpteen paths going in various directions and there is a sign pointing you in the right direction for the Pap.
The path, all very green
The Pap along way off and along way up
Gradual ascent
Low level shot of Loch Leven
South
Still a long way off
Slightly higher shot of L/L
Highest shot of L/L, would be turning back now
Locals
Last shot
Heather
Wild rose
Wild rose bush
I had been in touch with George to let him know I was going to head back to the car, I reached 270m and was out of juice completely. George and his colleagues were yet to reach the 2nd summit on the AE so I was going to have quite a wait. I was just going to dawdle back to the car and when I reached it, like before it was absolutely roasting, I had a bottle of juice in the car but it was very warm, in fact almost hot.
We eventually all met up at about 6pm and then headed off to the Clachaig for a well earned drink and a meal.
Great day in un Scottish like conditions. Next is An Socach near Braemar for Lynne's compleation.
