Heading up towards Inverlochlarig we could see a considerable amount of new snow on the hills. And as we drove along Loch Voil we could see that it involved Corbetts as well, down to about 600m by the look of it. Although there had been a pinkish dawn when we left Inverclyde, by the time we got to Inverlochlarig it was raining, under a leaden sky. Great! I had noticed that the bridge was down on WH, but kept that bit of information to myself - well, you know how Allison is about river crossings. We met a local man driving his Ute who asked us what we'd done to the weather and, when we said we were off up Stob a'Choin, asked if we knew the bridge was down. She took it fairly well

Stob a'Choin

Off along the farm track, past some vociferous cows and to the site of the bridge that was. The man had suggested going a little bit past the ruined bridge to cross, and it wasn't bad - we both have these goretex boot liners (thanks, Scoob, for the tip) which are a wonderful way of keeping feet dry. Next it was the steep slog up Stob a'Choin. Very boggy at the bottom, slippy on steep snow-covered grass once height is gained, this is not a mountain for the faint hearted. At one point I was kinda wishing I'd packed my axe, as the ground fell steeply away below my feet. But we made it to the top in one piece and breathed a sigh of relief.
There once was a bridge


View to Loch Voil

Approaching the summit


We paused for lunch a little way down from the summit and viewed the long way we had to go. Across the valley, Glas Tulaichean and Stob Binnien were snow capped. Our route to Beinn Stacath might - or might not - involve the Graham of Stob Breac. But there were many ups and downs before we got there. Generally following the fence-line, with a couple of exceptions where it goes over crags (avoid on the left at the first section, on the right at the second). There's a drop down to Cnoc na Nathrach before a climb to An Stuchd, the tail end of the Graham. It would take the an hour or so to go out and back to the Graham summit - time we simply didn't have today. So we pressed on, to the most dispiriting part of the day - the drop into the valley between Stob Breac and Stacath, followed by 460 meters to re-ascend to reach the second Corbett.
Stob Breac

The valley floor wet and boggy, we take a deer path up the side of Taobh na Coille. Up ahead the clag is descending over the peak and the light is dimming. It takes a while to arrive at the trig point. Gotcha! I've chosen to descend through Invernenty Glen, a shorter route than that chosen last time. We head down into Coire Odhar, aiming for the track that winds up through the trees. Nice to have some hard ground under foot. We headed back into the forest, finding the deer fence and a very swift-flowing river cascading down between rocks. I forget where we crossed before - I decide to head upstream a bit, following an old wall where we come to a "bridge" of tree-trunks swept away by the river into a mesh which will allow crossing - result

Taobh na Coille

Nearing Stacath

Well that's a relief!

Next comes the fearsome bog along the River Larig - marked as a path on the map, but most of it reeds and water. If your boots haven't been soaked already, they will be by the time you get through this

"Bridge"

Home straits


Up early on Saturday and off we go to Kinlochleven for Glas Bheinn. We used the standard WH route, taking the Loch Eilde path out and returning by the Blackwater Reservoir. Not a bad morning - blue sky in places, the threat of snow coming in from the west and a chill wind where one is exposed. We park at the Gray Mare's carpark and set off along the track we know so well now, thinking back to the first time we went up there, some six years ago to take on Sgurr Eilde Mor and friends. I pass a large Foxmoth caterpillar, marooned on a small stone in the middle of a puddle. Poor thing is stranded - I release it back into the grass by the path.
Morning sun in the Mamores


We cut down to the head of Loch Eilde Mor and across a new looking wooden bridge, before taking the muddy stalkers' path which runs along the south side of the loch before turning up Meall na Cruaidhe. Sunshine interspered with brief snow showers - a lovely rainbow frames Sgurr Eilde Mor. We turn off the track, finding a deer path leading up to the summit of Glas Bheinn. Fine views up to the Grey Corries to the north, the Buachaille looking moody to the south. We decide against including the Graham of Beinn na Cloiche today (not a great weekend for Grahams, this one

Glas-Bheinn, across Loch Eilde Mor


Sgurr Eilde Mor and Rainbow

Summit

Cairn, with BEM in background

Snowy Mamores

Mysterious Buachaille

Curved pipe

Black Rock Falls


I'd originally thought we might camp at Blackwater Hostel, but there seems little point given we have time enough to get to Appin and find somewhere to camp in the light. The rain comes on heavily, which never helps the hunt for a camping spot. Eventually we find a suitable place not far from Druimavuic, the starting point for our walk up Creach Bheinn tomorrow. We have a quiet night in the forest, the rain pattering on the tent, surrounded by the forest night sounds - owls hooting, weasels weaselling, badgers badgering etc.
Sunday morning - the clocks have gone back, so we have a lie in and get up around 8.30 old time. Porridge with plum and apple, some ginger tea with Oatie biscuits and Biscoff



Creach Bheinn summit


The beard has been tamed (too many problems with hood zips...)

Southern side of Glen Etive Munros

