walkhighlands

Share your personal walking route experiences in Scotland, and comment on other peoples' reports.
Warning Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.

Bluebird heaven on Stob Ghabhar

Bluebird heaven on Stob Ghabhar


Postby denfinella » Fri Dec 27, 2019 8:39 pm

Route description: Stob Ghabhar and Stob a'Choire Odhair

Munros included on this walk: Stob a' Choire Odhair, Stob Ghabhar

Date walked: 20/09/2019

Time taken: 9 hours

Distance: 16 km

Ascent: 1240m

2 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).

In September we finally got around to visiting the Black Mount west of Bridge of Orchy for the first time. Since moving to Edinburgh it's quite a long drive from home to get up that way, so we'd been waiting for good weather... and it didn't disappoint! 20C sunshine at the bottom after a cool start to the day, bright blue skies and clear air.


Stob Ghabhar.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



Setting off along the Abhainn Shira, there was a nice feeling of entering a wilderness:

IMG20190920104223.jpg


The turnoff north along the Allt Toaig came much quicker than expected, and I had to check on the map that it was the right place. Clashgour Hut confirmed it.

IMG20190920110440.jpg


The first section of path was a bit of a squelchy affair, but things improved as the gradient steepened slightly. After fording a tributary it was a steep pull up the south shoulder of Stob a' Choire Odhair, our first of two Munros today.

IMG20190920115110.jpg


Deer were grazing on the distant ridge southeast of the summit:

IMG_6013.JPG


Up at the summit cairn, there were some fabulous views to be had. Loch Tulla and the Rannoch Wall:

IMG20190920125015.jpg


Rannoch Moor:

IMG20190920125322.jpg


Clach Leathad & Meall a' Bhuiridh:

IMG20190920131147.jpg


To the west, the way ahead to Stob Ghabhar beckoned, with the climb onto the Aonach Eagach looking intimidating in the shade. The coires and the great bulk of the hill reminded me a bit of Ben Lui.

IMG20190920131302.jpg


Looking back to Stob a' Coire Odhair from the bealach:

IMG20190920134322.jpg


Coirein Lochain below to the right:

IMG20190920134858.jpg


Getting onto the Aonach Eagach was straightforward enough in the end - hands needed in a couple of places but there's a path of sorts to follow, and little feeling of exposure. Back in the cooling breeze on the ridge:

IMG20190920142126.jpg


Looking back:

IMG20190920142516.jpg


Approaching the summit:

IMG20190920143237.jpg


Over to the left there were good views down Coire na Muic, into which we'd be descending later on:

IMG20190920142533.jpg


One last view of Coirein Lochain:

IMG20190920144420.jpg


Fantastic views of Ben Cruachan and the hills around Glen Coe from the summit, where we had rare company:

IMG20190920144244.jpg


IMG20190920144220.jpg


IMG20190920144442.jpg


Time to descend, first along the shoulder of Stob Maol and eventually crossing the Allt Coire na Muic at the base of the coire:

IMG20190920150337.jpg


IMG20190920151219.jpg


We crossed the burn just above the main waterfall, though there seems to be a path on both sides of the stream at this point. Whichever route you take, its a steep, slightly loose, wet and unpleasant descent to the bottom of the falls. Before crossing:

IMG20190920155801.jpg


From below the first fall:

IMG20190920160146.jpg


The path fords the Allt Toaig (where there was welcome shade) before rejoining the outward route.

IMG20190920162028.jpg


An excellent circuit - Stob Gabhar certainly lived up to expectations!
User avatar
denfinella
Wanderer
 
Posts: 1394
Munros:88   Corbetts:40
Fionas:37   Donalds:24
Sub 2000:72   Hewitts:14
Wainwrights:6   Islands:46
Joined: Mar 19, 2012
Location: Edinburgh

2 people think this report is great.
Register or Login
free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).



Can you help support Walkhighlands?


Our forum is free from adverts - your generosity keeps it running.
Can you help support Walkhighlands and this community by donating by direct debit?



Return to Walk reports - Scotland

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Arthurs Eat, Graeme D, MIKE LEVER, RayK and 78 guests