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Tr and video below....
Vid best viewed in 720p, double click via Youtube for full screen mode.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZUVOtwplAw&hd=1[/youtube]
It was time to hit treble figures
.
Left the East End of Glasgow at 6.30am, the snow thick as its residents
!
Took a left at Bridge of Orchy Hotel then stopped.
I wrestled with the final 3 mile drive down the snow laiden single track road
.
I decided that my new Clio had enough grunt to pull me through the snow, well i hoped so!!.
Ten minutes later i was at Victoria Bridge car park, Va Va Voom!!
On with the gear and on my merry way i went, it was 8.30am.
First views are of the Etive hills.
Wild deer with Aonach Eagach Buttress left, Beinn Toaig right
The path is well defined and after 2k the ascent to Stob a'Choire Odhair is visible, just by the gully that seperates it from Beinn Toaig.
Looking back at the well defined path.
Pass the gully and over the stream, now take a sharp right, starting the ascent to Stob a'Choire Odhair
Looking up Coire Toaig with Sron Nan Giubhas centre, you can just make out the snow covered Aonach Eagach ridge left.
Im gradually increasing in height and all peaks are visible, it's going to be a great day
Ascent to Stob a'Choire Odhair
Aonach Eagach ridge left, Stob Ghabhar right.
After a couple of hours from starting i reach the summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair. The views are simply stunning in every direction, if i was only doing this peak today i would be more than happy....
Views of the Aonach Egach Ridge, Stob Ghabhar, Sron Nan Giubhas and Corain lochain.
Clach Leathad and Creise with the Buchailles beyond
Rannoch Moor
Summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair
Clach Leathad and Creise
Stob Ghabhar
With such stunning views i decided to take an extended food stop. I sheltered from the wind and gorged on peanut butter and jam sandwiches. . . .it was time to tackle that ridge and Stob Ghabhar!.
Looking back to Summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair
Beinn Toaig from the Bealach
The descent to the bealach was rocky but presented no difficulties. The first 100m of ascent to the Aonach Eagach ridge was also rocky with slabs of ice everywhere, it was time to put on the crampons
.
It was exhilirating going up this face, nearing the top i looked over to the summit of Stob Ghabhar to see 2 folk standing tall....where did they come from??.
The final ascent to AE ridge was very steep. If you have no experience of using crampons and ascending steep faces then i would give this a miss till you felt confident. i hope these 2 photos capture how steep it is
I absolutely loved the ascent to AE ridge and it wasn't long till i was on the not so scary part of it!!
Achaladair and Crainlarich hills from AE ridge, awesome
.
Time to head along the AE ridge. Look closely and you can see 2 folk descending Stob Ghabhar.
I was now faced with the narrow section of the AE ridge. This was very narrow with steep faces either side, the snow was fresh also. I slowly and gingerly made my way across, i was bricking it more here than i did on its more famous Glencoe counterpart!!. One mistake here and a hefty fall. When i was descending Stob Ghabhar later i witnessed a few folk go halfway then turn back. I did manage to take a few snaps on route....
Now across the AE ridge the final ascent to Stob Ghabhar, my 100th Munro, was in sight
A quick look round to view Stob a'Choire Odhair and AE ridge
, Achaladair hills beyond.
The last ascent took no time at all, albeit tiring at times. . . .i could see the summit with the hills to Glencoe in the distance.
My 100th Munro was metres away, 2 years and thousands of miles to this point. What an adventure , and i'm only over a 3rd to completing them all
I've walked with my group, friends and on my own, every minute has been enjoyable. There's more to walking than just standing on these summits and enjoying the views, it's the preparation, the unknown, the folk you meet, the stories you here, the learning process, the solitude and the well earned beer at the end of a long day....
After taking in the views and having a bite to eat i started the journey homeward, taking more photos off course
Looking back to the AE ridge, centre. You can just make out 3 people on it, probably the 3 people Alchemist spoke to in his TR.
The descent seemed to take forever, perhaps this was due to the icy conditions underfoot. I had taken my crampons off shortly after summitting Stob Ghabhar.
Light was fading fast but i had reached the well defined path and was strolling along admiring the views which dusk brought.
I was 1k from the car park and took one final look behind me to the Etive hills.
I got to the car at 4pm. I had taken my time and savoured every moment....heres hoping the next 100 are as enthralling
.
It was time for a beer, Thierry Henry and Papa where waiting in the pub for me ....Budvaar Dark please
!!.
