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Dance of the Dragons (BEB)

PostPosted: Wed Nov 13, 2019 11:00 pm
by Grisu
It was a lovely sunny morning to start my personal fifth season :D After the usual 30 hrs journey with the long drives and the ferry crossing I didn't rush and have chosen the Buachille Etive Beag to settle in and to warm up. :wink: Looking around and taking some pictures helped to catalyze the process of acclimatisation and gave me space to relax.
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The beehive cairn at the A 82

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View into the Glen of Lairig Eilde

When I finally started to walk about 9:30 nobody was around despite some cars at the parking and it was not before I have reached Stob Coire Raineach that I met another walker.
While I was ascending the sky got cloudcovered as predicted. Just in time, I thought. If the weatherforecast stays as accurate like that it should clear off again around midday.
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Cairn at Mam Buidhe

After a little break at Mam Buidhe I headed towards Stob Coire Raineach. The ascend reminded me of my walks on the neighbouring ridge of the BEM and I remember that my legs felt a bit heavy and my feet had been very unhappy in the tight boots. The usual torture at the beginning :problem:
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Summit View

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Bideam nam Bian - certainly somewhere

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View towards the next destination

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View towards Glen Coe with the Buachille Etive Mor to the right

On my way back to Mam Buidhe the sun came out again and walkers were strolling around.
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Busy Mam Buidhe in sunshine.

The ridge walk towards Stob Dubh was pure pleasure.
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Cairn at the point 902m with view to the ridge of Stob Dubh

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Looking back to Stob Coire Raineach with views over Glen Coe and Buachille Etive Mor

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Summit view from Stob Dubh to Loch Etive

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The big neighbour: Buachille Etive Mor

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Impressive corrie - if I only could name it

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More summit views

At Stob Dubh I had the summit to my own, enjoyed the views and had fun with some "Rorschachs" as the sun was playing with the shadows of the clouds, inspiring my imagination, seeing A Dance of Dragons :wink:
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The awakening

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The approach

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The encounter

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Steep down Lairig Gartain

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Lovely view to Ben Nevis and Càrn Mòr Dearg with the Arête and outlook to tomorrow's walk

Retracing my steps and enjoying the nice views on my way back.
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Again view towards Glen Coe

Back at Mam Buidhe I said good-bye to the mountain and descended.
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Ridge of Stob Coire Raineach

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Ridge towards Stob Dubh

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Descending from Mam Buidhe - Dragon back to sleep

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Saying good-bye to the Dragon Hall

It was still early when I arrived at the parking, so I did some leisurely sightseeing along Glen Coe and had a nice supper at the Claichag Inn.
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Glen Coe at the Three Sisiters

Scotland gave me a very warm welcome that day. Back at my cottage I discovered that I have caught a strong sunburn on the left side of my neck and part of my shoulders - autsch 8)

Re: Dance of the Dragons (BEB)

PostPosted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:10 pm
by Graeme D
You saw 100% more than I did from these summits. There could have been dragons climbing the hills that day and I would have been none the wiser! A great set of pictures from a fine looking day. I did wonder what the title was all about until got well through the report. :lol:

Re: Dance of the Dragons (BEB)

PostPosted: Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:50 pm
by Grisu
Graeme D wrote:You saw 100% more than I did from these summits. There could have been dragons climbing the hills that day and I would have been none the wiser! A great set of pictures from a fine looking day. I did wonder what the title was all about until got well through the report. :lol:

Happy you like it😊, thanks for reading!

Re: Dance of the Dragons (BEB)

PostPosted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 12:04 am
by past my sell by date
Nice - Lovely foxgloves - but Oh those ghastly great paths - they weren't there in my day.
I wrote this comment on Jaxter's BEM report

" When the SMC in their wisdom decided that there should be two munros on each of the Buchailles - crazy in my view but WDIK - I decided to knock off the two extra peaks in one walk. I took the normal route up B.E Beag, but at the ridge headed L to Stob Coire Raineach, then descended into the Lairig Gartain, crossed it and ascended towards Stob Coire Altruim - your return route.
Puffing a bit as it's quite steep I met a man descending near the top and said something like "not too far now" to which he replied in very puzzled voice "But this is the way DOWN" :lol: :lol: :lol:"

Some people confuse guidebooks with gospels :lol: :lol:

Re: Dance of the Dragons (BEB)

PostPosted: Fri Nov 15, 2019 7:12 am
by Grisu
Some people confuse guidebooks with gospels

That reminds me of a discussion with a guide on the Wainwright Trail in the Dales. The Dales! She didn't allow me to wear walking sandals because it is „written in the book“ only boots!
I think that was the turning point for me to quit guided walks and find a way to walk on my own but it was before I came to Scotland.
Cheers