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The Three Sisters of Glen Coe were in misty cloud at the start of the walk, as we set off from the car and headed down the well-made footpath to the bridge over the River Coe.
The Three Sisters by
GariochT, on Flickr
We made our way up a very scenic wooded glen, alongside the Allt Coire Gabhail and its babbling falls and pools. After a short while we started to struggle up a steep slope of unstable scree, until we realised that this was completely off-piste and not the 'official' route... oops! We retraced our steps and rejoined the path that wends its way up the glen.
P1030316 by
GariochT, on Flickr
In the Lost Valley by
GariochT, on Flickr
After twenty minutes or so the corrie opened out to reveal the Lost Valley, and a stunning Alpine backdrop of the snow-iced peaks of Stob Coire Sgreamhach and Bidean nam Bian.
Stob Coire Sgreamhach and Binean nam Bian by
GariochT, on Flickr
As well as hiding some of the MacDonald cattle, the Lost Valley was effective at hiding the burn too, which disappeared into the ground only to emerge further down the glen.
After easy walking through the wide alluvial plain, we started to ascend the back of the corrie, passing a few icicles on the way.
We then reached the bottom of a steep section of hard snow, so decided to practise a few ice axe arrests. I managed to draw blood – not with my ice axe, but scraping my knuckles on the icy snow. That'll teach me to wear my gloves!
We started to ascend the snowy slope. Someone above accidentally dislodged a rock which tumbled at speed down the slope, and they called out a warning so that we could avoid it - it might otherwise have caused serious damage.
It was initially quite easy to kick steps into the snow but as we ascended the snow became increasingly glassy and more hard going. I had by now overtaken the others so ended up breaking the trail and kicking steps for the others to follow, at one point having to use my ice axe to cut a couple of steps. It was a great relief to finally reach terra firma – a craggy area which I scrambled up to reach the bealach.
Hard snow by
GariochT, on Flickr
There were excellent views from the bealach, including down the Lost Valley and down to Glen Etive to the south.
The Lost Valley by
GariochT, on Flickr
The Lost Valley by
GariochT, on Flickr
We had a short rest here before heading up the ridge to Stob Coire Sgreamhach, pausing to enjoy the views as we went.
Stob Coire Sgreamhach by
GariochT, on Flickr
Glen Etive by
GariochT, on Flickr
After bagging the Munro we returned to the bealach and then continued along the rocky ridge. After passing a number of precipitous voids and crunching through a few snow patches along the ridge, we reached the summit of Bidean nam Bian (the 'Peak of the Animal Pelts', or maybe 'Peak of the Mountains'). There were fantastic views from here.
Bidean nam Bian by
GariochT, on Flickr
P1030412R by
GariochT, on Flickr
P1030425R by
GariochT, on Flickr
A couple were already sitting at the summit cairn so I decided to wait until they had gone before touching the cairn and officially bagging my 100th Munro. However, within minutes a large group of walkers appeared and loitered around the cairn – I couldn't have it all to myself after all - oh well. I had a celebratory swig of Aberlour from my hipflask - not too much, I didn't want to be tipsy during the awkward descent - then gate-crashed the party at the summit to touch the cairn.
Sometimes I don't bother with the cairn-touching ritual, especially when they are at the top of a tor, but I thought that I would this time, given the special number.
We then descended the northeast ridge, crossed another bealach then reascended to Stob Coire nan Lochan. From here, the view of Loch Leven and Ballachulish was excellent.
Loch Leven from Stob Coire nan Lochan by
GariochT, on Flickr
Void by
GariochT, on Flickr
We descended again, over awkward rocks and an even more awkward boulder field. The low sun highlighted the jagged features of the Aonach Eagach ridge to the north.
Void by
GariochT, on Flickr
Aonach Eagach and Ben Nevis by
GariochT, on Flickr
Aonach Eagach Ridge by
GariochT, on Flickr
Eventually we arrived at the lochans in the corrie which provided welcome relief from the scrambling. It was then a long descent down the Coire nan Lochan, past more waterfalls and pools and then down a zig zag path to the valley floor of Glen Coe, where I waited for the others, gazing up to the Three Sisters in the gradually fading light.
