
I was on a school trip back in 1974 when I first did Bidean nam Bian, the teachers who were leading us took us over
Stob Coire nan Lochan first then on to Bidean, from memory it was thick fog and rain for most of the way

I've been up there a couple of times since, again in the mist, so I was due a view and also there was the matter of
Stob Coire Sgreamhach which I didn't realise was a Munro until I started using Walkhighlands, it was promoted to Munro status in 1997 so Denise's catch up had turned into two new 'uns for her and a new 'un for me

The Monday of our holiday was going to be another good weather day so we decided to go for it and take our time.
We parked up in the layby at NN168569 nice and early, we were the first car parked so we got a good spot on the fringes of the layby to make sure we could get out when it got busier. The day a going to be a good 'un



We set off down the path towards the FB over the River Coe and started the ascent into Coire nan Lochan.
The path here is well made, pitched for the majority of the way up into the coire, although it's steep in parts, the pitching helps, the views are good too.



We were soon at the point where our route leaves the main path and heads up grassy slopes, there is a sketchy path but you do have to keep your eye on it.
We reached the little saddle between Aonach Dubh and the start of the climb up to Stob Coire nan Lochan, had a break and took some more photo's, then set off up the ridge.



The path travels over a boulder field, a bit awkward in places but progress is easy enough, you get some nice views own to the road.

The final few meters to the top of Stob Coire nan Lochan gets steeper so the boulders act a bit like a staircase. The view from the top is great especially over the Aonach Eagach towards Ben Nevis, Bidean was next and from where we were it looked a bit of a climb.








We set off down stony slopes towards Bidean thinking it was going to take a while to the summit, in reality it took just half an hour and as we approached the cairn I remembered my first time up here, this time it was views all round and I wasn't peed off







We sat down to have a snack taking in the views, we could see our next objective and felt lucky we were out in such grand surroundings and able to appreciate such good weather.

A few photo's were taken then it was on our way to Stob Coire Sgreamhach.



The ridge between the two is lovely airy walking and the route is easy to follow, we had a look down the descent route as we passed the top of it, I was a bit concerned about the erosion at the top of the gully, in reality it's ok but it is very loose.
It took 50 mins summit to summit, again it didn't take as long as I thought it would.

On the summit we had lunch, taking our time appreciating the views, mountains stretching away into the distance in all directions.
Back to Bidean and Stob Coire nan Lochan

Views











We had to leave this spot though, after half an hour we began our descent back to Bealach Dearg we were careful on the loose stuff at the top of the gully, it turned out to be no problem at all and once off the really loose stuff the descent into the Hidden Valley was easy on a well made path.





There were a few people in the Hidden Valley, we'd seen just three people while on the mountain, it was very busy on the path back to the road so it turned out to be a game of "dodge the crowds" not easy lower down

There were lots of these

Hidden Valley


Our car had been joined by loads of others to keep it company, what a contrast to 07:45, we de-booted, had a quick snack then joined the stream of traffic for the drive back to Roybridge.
Last look

It was a good day out and another "catch up" off Denise's list, there's only 7 on the list now, so it's not a long one
