Walkhighlands

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.

Well done FF, Another well written script and photo's. Thanks to you and Dibs for the company. .

Another route that is always a pleasure to see photos from on a good day. You have to wonder where the route gets its name from though!!!!

Still have to do the western two of these but it's the drive up pot hole alley that's putting me off. Wondering about access from Glen Nevis but that may be plain daft. Great photos!

dogplodder wrote:Still have to do the western two of these but it's the drive up pot hole alley that's putting me off. Wondering about access from Glen Nevis but that may be plain daft. Great photos!

Hi Pete R has done the Glen Nevis route and it doesn't look that bad to be honest from the last peak on the Grey Corries, its right adjacent to the Eastern Mamores.

Well done again Martin for a great summary of a good day and great company.

Some great pics of excellent hills in superb weather (if a bit grey.... ).

dogplodder wrote:Still have to do the western two of these but it's the drive up pot hole alley that's putting me off. Wondering about access from Glen Nevis but that may be plain daft. Great photos!

I walked these the opposite way round, returning along Glen Nevis, and my description of it at the time was that it was a linear bog. Certainly I repeatedly disappeared up to my knees in bog (but it was very late and pitch black, so I imagine it would be easier to avoid the worst of the bogs starting from Glen Nevis).