First Steps in Glencoe

[Rossco]

I'm a wee bit behind in writing this, I had a backlog of reports building up and was dreading sitting down to do them as I'd probably forget everything that happened!

Anyway, I'd wanted to hit Glencoe ever since I started hillwalking in April 2011. I remember spending all summer looking over walk reports for so many hills in the area and trying to decide which ones to do and whether or not Aonach Eagach was within my grasp yet. Eventually decided that going up Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach with my dad would be the perfect introduction to the area.

We had started the walk about 10am I think, the times on my camera and phone I think were messed up for this walk so not sure 100% of how long it took and when we started/finished, etc. I was immediately mesmerised by the area anyway and wasted a lot of time at the car park and for the first hour or so just looking around me and taking photographs. As expected, the piper was there too playing for all the buses of tourists that came and went quick as you like.


Two of The Three Sisters by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Starting off up Coire nan Lochan by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

I remember the path up until this point was well laid out with many rocks making easy steps to walk up which surprised me but it must attract a lot of tourists so they've made some effort to let them walk up part of the hill easily I guess. By this point we were starting to get better and better a view of the Aonach Eagach ridge behind us. When you see it from this close in real life instead of just pictures you really appreciate how amazing it looks.


Slippery Surface by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Good place to cool down! by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Am Bodach (943m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

After a couple of hours we reached the sort of plateau below Stob Coire nan Lochan which gave a great view of the hill and ridge in front of you. I kinda wanted to just run straight up the middle of it but it looked a wee bit too scree-y for that so had to follow the prescribed WalkHighlands route and veer way to the right to attack it from the North ridge. We stopped for lunch here and had a great view over Glencoe for the period as the cloud wisped about around us. And as expected when up this far north, we spotted a few fast jets out for a jaunt but couldn't get them on camera!

The rest of the ascent from here was pretty spectacular viewing. The huge drops and high pinnacles were amazing to look at. I was really taken aback by it all and wanted to just hang about the area and climb on them but alas I could not, we had actual Munros to climb and this wee hillock was just a stepping stone to that.


Billy and Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Glencoe by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Aonach Eagach by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Looking down Coire nan Lochan by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Near the top of Stob Coire nan Lochan, the cloud shifted and we eventually got a view of the final ascent to Bidean nam Bian which looked brilliant. From this direction it looked pretty steep and treacherous! A quick stop on top for a photo and quickly moved on to attack Bidean nam Bian. We also got a view of the rest of the walk for the day including Stob Coire Sgreamhach and the route down the red stone at Bealach Dearg which was quite intimidating. Didn't look the easiest place to descend the hill from.


Bidean nam Bian (1150m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr


On top of Stob Coire nan Lochan (1115m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1072m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr

The ascent to Bidean nam Bian ended up being pretty easy. Looked worse than it really was. Got to the top though and there were loads of people there all sitting around the cairn. This is a pet hate of mine now as I like to take photos at the top and not have them spoilt by some strangers sitting on the cairn. So we just moved on and headed straight for Stob Coire Sgreamhach. On the way we got a good view of the red ash slide we had to go down to get to the lost valley. Even up close it looked pretty bad!


Lost Valley Buttress by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Lost Valley by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1072m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr


No Going Back by Rossco 7, on Flickr

The rest of the walk up the ridge to the summit was pretty easy, there in no time, and not really that much to ascend either. Munro number two for the day done and just the long walk back to the car through the Lost Valley to deal with now. And what a never ending descent that was. It went on forever, but the closer down you got the better the view of the Lost Valley got. A huge flat section of land right in the middle of these two hills, it looks quite bizarre when you are standing at the bottom looking across it. And even better when at the other side looking back up where you came from.


Stob Coire Sgreamhach (1072m) summit and Bidean nam Bian (1150m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Lost Valley by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Looking back up the Lost Valley by Rossco 7, on Flickr

We mucked about here for a while, my dad telling tales of previous excursions up here and I tried and failed to climb the big house sized rock. It was a bit wet n slippery so that’s my excuse! We walked further down past the valley and eventually reached a river that had to be crossed. Having never had to get my feet wet before out on the hills, I was determined to find a way across that didn't involve taking my boots off so hunted up and down the path for 10-15 minutes until I gave up and resorted to wet feet!

My dad went first and being so old and hardy, he just calmly walked through the water slow as ever. Amazing I thought, it must not be that cold after all. So I got my boots n socks off, tied them around my neck so I had my hands free in case I slipped and jumped in. INSTANTLY I thought my feet were gonna fall off. It was freezing. The old man had being doing it so slowly to make sure he didn't slip, not because it wasn't as cold as the bloody Arctic Ocean!! There was no going back now though, I was in, my feet were wet and it was getting dark so I just ran for it. Screw the chance of falling! I got across and threw my bag down and grabbed a top out of it to dry my feet. At this point I was honestly imagining a helicopter coming to get me and getting my feet amputated due to them being so cold. I realise now what I wimp I was being but at the time it was brutal.


Big Rock by Rossco 7, on Flickr


Get yer boots aff! by Rossco 7, on Flickr


"IT'S FREEZING!" by Rossco 7, on Flickr


"Aw crap!" by Rossco 7, on Flickr

From here, we got our boots back on and started back down the path. We wasted a bit of time at the Lost Valley and crossing the river so it was getting dark now. I had a small torch with me which helped but it was then I realised a proper head torch was necessary for this kind of situation. (Which I only just got last week, three months later!) Near the bottom of the path, there is a rope to help you descend as it's on quite large flat rocks that in the wet could be pretty dangerous. We got down here fine though, crossed the bridge and were back at the car eventually, in pitch black! As we walked back though, a car had pulled up having noticed our car was still there so late at night. I think they got a fright as we appeared from the night but it's good to know people would stop to check in such a situation.


Getting a wee bit dark now by Rossco 7, on Flickr

Thankfully, we had the caravan over at Duror so didn't have a long drive home that night. It was a great day out though and some amazing hills to start me off in Glencoe. Can't wait to get back up there as it's a different world from the Loch Lomond/Crianlarich area I'm used to.

Bidean-nam-Bian(1).gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1304429

[rocket-ron]

Well done looks like you had a good day

[mgmt!]

good report rosco, glencoe is such a wonderful area, once it gets hold of you, your hooked.

[dooterbang]

Brilliant 1st walk in Glencoe - the area certainly takes your breath away.

Glad you got weather and fantastic views.

Superb photos.

Im sure your well capable of doing the AE.

[Rossco]

Cheers. Yeah, I deffo have to get AE done this year when the weather is better!

[rockhopper]

Fully agree - did this walk back in November and really enjoyed it. Great views out to Loch Etive and Loch Creran as well. Fortunately was able to cross the Allt without much trouble so the water levels must've been down then. cheers