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The other day Moira said out of all the walks we've done this year this was her favourite. And to think it nearly didn't happen! We were all set to do part of the Speyside Way when the forecast looked too good not to get high up and I suggested Binnein Beag. Despite the earlier start and longer drive she was up for it and we were parked at the Grey Mare's Tail car park and walking up through the woods by about 9.00. The sky was grey and cloudy but we knew it would clear by midday.
It was my fourth time up through the woods and I don't think the path has improved any, with multiple deep channels where it's most eroded. We agreed we would want to be down again before we lost light.
Kinlochleven and Loch Leven from above the woods
We crossed the moor and then the vehicle track, noting that the section immediately after the track was wetter than in May 2018, but no surprises there after a wet summer.
Loch Eilde Mor and hills of Glencoe
We stopped for a snack after crossing the second burn and continued round the flanks of Sgor Eilde Beag with views behind as magnificent as ever. We turned sharp left at the cairn where many feet have mistakenly made a path straight on (unless you are deliberately climbing Sgurr Eilde Mor from the south as I did with Rob and Mary) and headed up the zig zag path to a higher level above the lochans from where we got our first sighting of Binnein Beag.
Coire an Lochan
I remember on that occasion with Rob and Mary eyeing up BB and thinking it didn't look so far and since we were in good time maybe we could include it. Rob was tempted too but Mary wasn't keen and I have to be honest that I didn't appreciate how big the drop was between where we were and BB. Because the drop is out of sight from where you're standing you don't take it into account, illustrating that maps are more important than what the eye thinks it can see.
Binnein Beag and Grey Corries
At the left turn for Binnein Mor and right turn for SEM we kept going. To begin with it's a gradual descent but then it becomes more obvious how far down we had to go, but helpfully on a good stalker's path that descends in wide zig zags.
A big drop into Coire a Bhinnein
At the bottom there is an easy crossing of the burn on large boulders and the path continues downstream before veering off to the left to climb again.
Burn at bottom with Stob Ban of Grey Corries peeking through
Path visible crossing hillside top left
After that big drop it's inevitable there's a fair amount of reascent but at least it's at a gradual gradient. That part of the route was wet and muddy and took us round to a point that felt like the foot of BB where the lochan should have been, but it wasn't. There was still a bit further to go.
Binnein Beag
When we reached the lochan we found some nice level rocks to perch on for lunch. There was a steady breeze keeping midges away and we sat there for a while enjoying the sense of remoteness of the place and contemplating the climb ahead. It looked steep.
Lochan at foot of Binnein Beag
To start with the path was good but higher up there was loose gravel that would need a bit care on the descent. Almost the most diminutive in height of the Mamores it may be, but Binnein Beag is no push over and shouldn't be taken lightly. In some ways it reminded me of Ben Vane in the Arrochar Alps, which packs more of a punch than you expect.
Climbiing the ridge with backdrop of Binnein Mor
Ben Nevis from ascent
A final steep pull and short walk took us to the summit and I had a pleasant sense of completeness to now be sitting on the last of my Mamores.
Binnein Beag summit
For a fine viewpoint BB didn't disappoint. Sgurr Eilde Mor, Binnein Mor, the Ring of Steal, Nevis, Carn Mor Dearg, Aonachs, Grey Corries, Easains to the hills around Loch Ossian - all clear and looking fabulous. For a last minute decision to come here we couldn't have been blessed with better views.
Zoomed to Coire an Lochan from BB summit
Binnein Mor, Ring of Steal and Nevis
After drinking in the views we decided to get the descent out of the way. We took it carefully on the looser parts and found ourselves on a different path to the one we came up by, which we corrected to get on to the crest of the ridge as it felt more solid underfoot.
Not good for vertigo sufferers here
Down by the lochan we rewarded ourselves with a coffee before the long trek down and up to the other lochans on our journey.
Nevis and CMD
Burn crossing
Top of the reascent
Sgurr Eilde Mor and lochans again
It really was that blue
We maintained a steady speed on the descent from Coire an Lochan and enjoyed the views south in the late afternoon sun.
Loch Eilde Mor, Blackwater Reservoir, Orchy and Glencoe hills
Zoomed to Black Mount and Buachaille Etive Mor
Loch Leven framed by Pap of Glencoe and Beinn na Caillich with sun's rays giving interesting light effect
We were glad to have full daylight for the final descent on the eroded path through the woods. Higher up there were signs of repair work on the path, but the path through the woods takes more traffic with folk going up for the view and is badly in need of attention.
What I didn't know when we did this walk was that I have a rotator cuff injury in both shoulders. I knew by the pain there was something amiss and put it down to arthritis but it now turns out I damaged them with pole use on a 40km walk to A' Mhaighdean in Fisherfield. Legs and feet were fine but shoulders bore the brunt apparently. So I was being canny with pole use on this walk and probably if I'd known the correct diagnosis I'd not have gone. Glad I didn't know as it was a fabulous day!
