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I know we don't look or act like pensioners but we are, George suggested we should have used our bus passes but I pointed out that we would have had to set off on Thursday.
We were struggling to fit in a walk as George only had a couple of spare days, just like me whereas Parminder just downs tools at home and heads for the hills regardless. Friday looked like the best day weather wise so after discussing the plan with George on Messenger and then having contact Parminder via the old fashioned text. One day Parminder will join the rest of the planet, hopefully this week.
I asked Parminder if he fancied driving and he was more than happy, especially as we would be feeding him. Parminder agreed to uplift me at 6am and then into Dunfermline for the back seat passenger. First stop was McDonalds at Broxden for breakfast and then the trundle up the A9.
We had a bit of a navigational hiccup - for a change. Spean Bridge wasn't the problem it was the numerous tracks after Spean Bridge, we turned off on the wrong one and this extra adventure added about 30mins to our journey as the tracks weren't exactly pot hole free.
We eventually arrived at the parking area to find about half a dozen cars parked/abandoned so Parminder joined the clan and abandoned his Beemer on a bend.
There were a few midges waiting to dine on us, so it was a quick change and off we set.
The track/road heading up towards the parking area
The way ahead on the track
It wouldn't be the Grey Corries without a photo of this wee fellow
Here is the same Wee Minister from 4 years ago, when I was last here
Low level shot
Here he is
Nice shot of the undergrowth
The Wee Bothy
Sleeping quarters
The rest of the interior
Looking back down on the track and across to the Innses
George leading the way, Stob Ban in the background
A photo of what lies ahead after the descent of Stob Ban
Stob Ban
Stob Ban summit
The way across the the Grey Corries ridge, looks fairly easy
The descent off Stob Ban, was pretty steep initially
A little stagnant lochan
Looking back up to Stob Ban
Parminder arriving on the Grey Corries ridge, 2nd summit of the day
Looking north
Looking along the ridge, the final summit is the wee pointy one that looks a long way away
Looking south
Ridge photo, taken on my phone
Looking westish, the 2nd shoulder would be the descent route
Very grey
Looking SW
Interesting rock formation below the ridge
The ridge ahead
Looking back
Looking back, I wonder why they are called the Grey Corries?
Looking down on Stob Ban
Looking back from our 3rd summit
The way ahead, still a long way to our final summit
For the attention of one Mr Gilmour, a great posing photo spot, was far too windy for us to venture down
Impressive cliff
The way ahead, final summit getting nearer
Our final pointy hill
Who could this be bringing up the rear?
Looking back
Descending yet again before the ascent up the final summit, great care was taken as the wind was almost in our faces
Parminder catching up
Looking down whilst on the final ascent
Looking back, we would have to reascend that before the final eventual descent
Getting closer, gradually
The final summit, not the biggest cairn you will come across
George admiring the massive cairn
Heading down again
Interesting rock formation
Whilst on the final ascent and then the descent, we discussed the possibility of traversing round Stob Coire Easain. We were thinking of traversing round just below the lowest solid line of rock and then joining up with the final descent on the grassy slope. I would be interested to hear if anyone has actually tried it? We wimped out and struggled up the final rocky ascent - with the wind behind us.
Parminder now romping up the final ascent
The nice grassy shoulder that descends very gradually, we opted for the direct route avoiding a slight incline if you head over the edge of the shoulder
The final part of the walk back to the car takes you through the forest on a good track
I remembered the dam from my last visit and we opted to descend down to find a crossing point
Parminder demonstrating how you walk on water
Taken from the mid point on the dam
Looking back upstream from the dam
Plenty of timber to be uplifted
A few photo's of the machinery used instead of an axe and chainsaw
This turned out to another fantastic day, even the strong wind couldn't ruin the day, it may have slowed us down a wee bit. We had planned to eat at the Glen Spean Hotel (George's suggestion) as they serve food until 8.30 and it turned out to be an excellent decision. The obvious problem in the area is the lack of decent eating establishments. So till next time.
