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
PA250184 by Al, on FlickrOff 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
PA250185 by Al, on Flickr
PA250188 by Al, on FlickrView to Loch Voil
PA250189 by Al, on FlickrApproaching the summit
PA250190 by Al, on Flickr
PA250191 by Al, on FlickrWe 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
PA250192 by Al, on FlickrThe 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
PA250193 by Al, on FlickrNearing Stacath
PA250194 by Al, on FlickrWell that's a relief!
PA250195 by Al, on FlickrNext 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
We wander on, dusk now falling, once again giving gratitude to our boot liners. Finally onto the track and a short way back to the car park. It's gone six pm and rapidly getting dark. I don't much fancy a drive up to Kinlochleven tonight so we end up pitching the wee tent beside the visitor building and use the shelter of said building to cook our tea. A quiet, if rainy night passes, quite cold initially under star light until the clouds come over again."Bridge"
PA250196 by Al, on FlickrHome straits
PA250197 by Al, on Flickr
PA250198 by Al, on FlickrUp 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
PA260199 by Al, on Flickr
PA260200 by Al, on FlickrWe 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
) We trace our steps back to the path, meeting several walkers on their way up, and follow the path down towards the reservoir where we join the main track back to Kinlochleven.The various waterfalls along the route are gushing today. We enter birchwoods, the slender silvered trunks gleaming in the afternoon light, then giving way to oakwoods. Back at the car before 4pm.Glas-Bheinn, across Loch Eilde Mor
PA260201 by Al, on Flickr
PA260202 by Al, on FlickrSgurr Eilde Mor and Rainbow
PA260204 by Al, on FlickrSummit
PA260206 by Al, on FlickrCairn, with BEM in background
PA260208 by Al, on FlickrSnowy Mamores
PA260209 by Al, on FlickrMysterious Buachaille
PA260212 by Al, on FlickrCurved pipe
PA260213 by Al, on FlickrBlack Rock Falls
PA260214 by Al, on Flickr
PA260216 by Al, on FlickrI'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
A short drive along to the parking area and we set off up the bulldozed track. From sea level, up to 560m - useful. At the top it's a welcome walk over grass to summit Creag na Cathaig and the ongoing undulations to reach the Vanessa trig at the summit of Creach Bheinn. That leaves just one to go. I remember there being a double fogbow here on our last visit - today there's just a biting wind. We take shelter a little down from the top to have lunch in the shelter of a curved rock. Then it's back the way we came, enjoying the ease of the track on the way back down. There are several other cars parked now, presumably folk climbing Squlaird. We have a nice drive back home in the sunshine. So it'll be Mull next weekend...
PA270219 by Al, on Flickr
PA270222 by Al, on FlickrCreach Bheinn summit
PA270223 by Al, on Flickr
PA270224 by Al, on FlickrThe beard has been tamed (too many problems with hood zips...)
PA270225 by Al, on FlickrSouthern side of Glen Etive Munros
PA270226 by Al, on Flickr
PA270227 by Al, on Flickr
