Glen Etive cracker

[pigeon]

Ben Starav,had been thinking of this one and the two near by munro's for a while but having been in Glen Etive recently to climb Albannaich and meall nan Eun on a misty wet day had wanted to bide our time for a good forecast.Sunday was it,90% per cent chance of cloud free tops so we were on,a reduced crew of 2,(me and big Jim)set of early and were walking for just after 8.

1st target Starav

1st target Starav

It's a long pull up Ben Starav but i expected it to be worse than it was,we paced ourselves,taking wee breathers every now and then ,enjoyed great views the higher we got and made the top in about 2 and a half hours.

big man working up a sweat

starav top becomes clear

wee breather before last pull

jim on starav ,cruachan in the background

Just short of the top we bumped into Walkhighlands regular Soulminer.Had a good wee blether with him,think he said that was his 100th munro on his second round and his last munro on his first round and he was heading down to pitch his tent and then walk up Beinn Trilleachan.Respect due to that man ,Anyway,great views on starav but no hanging about ,it was pretty cold in the wind so set off towards the wee arete taking our time on a wee slippy icy bit before finding a sheltered spot for a bite.

down loch etive

taking our time on this bit

beinn nan aighenan

Next target beinn nan aighenan didn't look that far away so we headed down dumped the bags behind some rocks and began the climb.This was the hardest part of the day for me,quite a bit of height was lost between the 2 hills and i was well glad to reach the top,a great viewpoint this.

nice wee arete

much relief on glas beinn mhor

Back down to re-claim the bags then the climb up to meall nan tri tighearnan,beggining to tire a bit now and the last push up glas beinn mhor was tough but we got there eventually and sat for a wee while before heading down the glen finding a nice spot for the soup.

at last beinn nan aighenan

the ben

cruachan hills from beinn nan aighenan

jim takes a snooze with starav in the background

An enjoyable walk back,talking about how much we love a cool beer and got back to the car in 9 hours dead.A note was under the wiper on jim's motor "LOOK UNDER THE WHEEL -FROM KEV",and there they were, 2 bottles of stella.Kev had been out in his camper van with the missus ,spotted jim's motor and left a wee treat for the thirsty walkers,best bottle of beer ever that's for sure .

stob coir an albannaich

A great day,maybe the best equal yet,tough but great weather and good crack,rounded off with a couple of swift drinks in the kingshouse.

[soulminer]

Not only did we meet, we were parked next door as well Mines was the green Chevvy Estate with the 'Collie on board' sticker Certainly got a whole heap warmer as the day wore on, the beers would have chilled you both out !

[Gavin99]

Lovely stuff , looking forward to these soon , what a treat that Stella must have been , very well deserved

[tamw51]

What a day you's had, i was down in the borders and had no idea the weather was so good up north! bet that was a sweet tasting stella, well earned nice one!

[pollyh33]

Brillllllllllllliant Pigeon!!!!

These are the best photos I have seen of these hills. They have really helped me visualise what to expect when I get round to taking them on

Can't believe how jammy you were finding two beers at your car


Loved this report and will be hopefully be consulting it soon

P XX

[PeteR]

Excellent stuff pigeon Especially on getting the three done in one trip. I found the two of Starav and GBM enough for me. And as has already been said, great photos to boot

Not bad to find two beers when you returned either Can't think of a better way to end a walk

[Bod]

Superb guys, well walked........I'm fancying a beer now too!

[pigeon]

Superb guys, well walked........I'm fancying a beer now too!

Excellent stuff pigeon Especially on getting the three done in one trip. I found the two of Starav and GBM enough for me. And as has already been said, great photos to boot

Not bad to find two beers when you returned either Can't think of a better way to end a walk

Lovely stuff , looking forward to these soon , what a treat that Stella must have been , very well deserved

What a day you's had, i was down in the borders and had no idea the weather was so good up north! bet that was a sweet tasting stella, well earned nice one!

Aye thought the note on the window was someone moaning about the parking or somethin',a rare treat indeed

Brillllllllllllliant Pigeon!!!!

These are the best photos I have seen of these hills. They have really helped me visualise what to expect when I get round to taking them on

Can't believe how jammy you were finding two beers at your car


Loved this report and will be hopefully be consulting it soon

P XX

It's a great hike polly and in that weather even someone as hopeless as me with the camera could get a decent pic or 2 You should check out Soulminer's report ,his photies are top drawer

Not only did we meet, we were parked next door as well Mines was the green Chevvy Estate with the 'Collie on board' sticker Certainly got a whole heap warmer as the day wore on, the beers would have chilled you both out !

The early bird gets the good parking spot SM just as well it was pretty busy up there later on,hope you enjoyed your camp,braw day for it

[mrssanta]

Great stuff Pigeon. we did these three in one go but didn't have the sense to dump the bags. Beinn nan aighenan was a hard slog.

[2dalmatians]

Love it pigeon, and the last pic is a cracker...I'm off to check the fridge now

[Sarah86]

I love Glen Etive but not quite ready for the munros in that direction! Lovely to see the views from up there, really stunning.

[ScottishLeaf]

Looks like you had the same weather we did on Ben Vorlich (LL) on Sunday, felt like we could see half the hills in Scotland, I'm sure Starav was one of them..

[Frigate]

Some times you've just got to look after the boys. After a scorching weekend in Oban/Ledaig decided to return home via Ballachulish and Glencoe, with a little wander down Glen Etive to check some spots for wild camping. Had a nice cup of tea parked up next to Jim's car and spent sometime looking at the tops with the old Binos
Then headed up to the Kingshouse for a late lunch

Little and large but we have the fridge

Mrs R had no soup, will this do?

One for the future Ben More of Mull

Nice being a tourist

Legs and beer ready for Kintail, including my naff green boots.

[jonny616]

Lucky buggers. Well done on the three. I missed BaA when i did the two had had to trudge back out there on me own

[Mountainlove]

wow what a day! Makes me want to go back and do them again! Hopefully we are all in for agood May! Hills in conditions like that are just amazing!!