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Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven


Postby johnkaysleftleg » Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:46 pm

Date walked: 01/11/2012

Time taken: 3.75 hours

Distance: 7 km

Ascent: 493m

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Sometimes you plan a day out and it turns out just about perfect, in fact sometimes it exceeds expectations. Today was one such day.
With the Munros coated in a thick layer of snow from the last few days we had to lower our sights for a day out in Glen Coe. I thought a simple walk up the Devil’s Staircase and then to the minor top of Stob Mhic Mhartuin would give us some great views and hopefully just a bit of snow.


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



The first of many wonderful sights granted to us today was the fantastic view of a snow capped Beinn a’ Bheithir from North Ballachulish.

(Click on any pic to get a larger version)

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Beinn a' Bheithir from North Ballachulish

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Looking across Loch Linnhe

Better was to follow as we made our way along the A82 past Loch Leven. The sight of autumn colors, snow covered mountains and early morning mists reflected in the still waters was exquisite, a moment that will live long in the memory.

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The Pap of Glen Coe and Loch Leven

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Loch Leven

We dragged ourselves away to be greeted as we entered Glen Coe by the sight of a truly alpine looking Aonach Eagach, quite magnificent.

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Aonach Eagach

Once again we dragged ourselves away as we plunged into the morning mists on the way to the parking area. We set off into the mist full of hope that we’d burst out into bright sunshine. We had a sighting of some deer and a fogbow before we climbed above the inversion to get ever improving views all the way to the summit of Stob Mhic Mhartuin. As I’d hoped we hit the snow line and had a decent covering for our little top.

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Fogbow

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Buachaille Etive Mor coated in mist

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Buachaille Etive Beag

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Temperature inversion

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Looking towards Beinn Bheag from the accent of Stob Mhic Mhartuin

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Stob Ban

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Monarch of the Glen?

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Snowy pup in his element

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Snow detail

After drinking in the views we decided, as it was still early to have a wander up Beinn Bheag. Both these Graham tops would be Hewitts in England and Wales, just goes to show just how much more dramatic the land is north of the border.

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Beinn a' Chrulaiste

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Three giants of Glen Coe, click on link below for large version

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkaysleftleg/8167900577/sizes/k/in/photostream/

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Buachaille Etive Mor from Stob Mhic Mhartuin

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Bidean nam Bian

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View from Stob Mhic Mhartuin

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Happy family on Stob Mhic Mhartuin

More fine views where taken in particularly towards the South West where incoming Snow flurries made for some amazing light over the snow covered tops.

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Even the Ben came out to play

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Grace on Beinn Bheag

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Snow showers on the way

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Lairig Gartain

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View to Lochaber

Once back to the car we still had time to drive along Glen Etive before popping into the Clachaig for tea. A fitting end to a truly unforgettable day.

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Ben Starav

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Stob Dubh from Loch Etive

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Loch Etive mono
Last edited by johnkaysleftleg on Thu Nov 22, 2012 9:39 am, edited 4 times in total.
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johnkaysleftleg
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby rockhopper » Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:50 pm

magic - you don't get this sort of day often ! - no wonder you were all so happy ! - cheers :)
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby Graeme D » Fri Nov 09, 2012 11:55 pm

What a tremendous set of views! :clap:
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby tomyboy73 » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:00 am

Stunning pictures, nipped up there on WHW :)
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby fazerboy » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:05 am

well done .... some fantastic views you got there ! :D
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby Jonay » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:36 am

Stunning pictures! What gear do you use?
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby Bod » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:49 am

Oooooh gonna have to go back and look at those again.....great stuff :)
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby johnkaysleftleg » Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:22 am

rockhopper wrote:magic - you don't get this sort of day often ! - no wonder you were all so happy ! - cheers :)


It was one of the best days we've ever had and we didn't even bag a proper hill.

Graeme D wrote:What a tremendous set of views! :clap:


tomyboy73 wrote:Stunning pictures, nipped up there on WHW :)


fazerboy wrote:well done .... some fantastic views you got there ! :D


Thanks folks :D

Jonay wrote:Stunning pictures! What gear do you use?


I've got an ageing Canon EOS 400D with a SIGMA DC 17-70mm lens. On a day like that getting good shots is easy. Mother nature did all the hard work for me 8)

Bod wrote:Oooooh gonna have to go back and look at those again.....great stuff :)


Wonderful views for minimal effort mate.
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby Jonay » Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:27 am

johnkaysleftleg wrote:
Jonay wrote:Stunning pictures! What gear do you use?


I've got an ageing Canon EOS 400D with a SIGMA DC 17-70mm lens. On a day like that getting good shots is easy. Mother nature did all the hard work for me 8)




I need to get myself a decent wide angle lens. 8)
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby Musicfinder » Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:33 am

A great day in the hills and some superb photos too! It makes me want to plan a holiday trip to the area.
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby Paula Hubens » Sat Nov 10, 2012 8:18 am

Oooo! Wish I was there! What a great day out! 8)
Stunning photography and best of all: a family pic. Well done to all four! :wink:
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby soulminer » Sat Nov 10, 2012 9:35 am

Certainly made the best of your day :lol:
Some new wall-hangings there then ? 8) :lol:
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby Lenore » Sat Nov 10, 2012 11:55 am

Oh what a magical day! You've captured it wonderfully in your photos and writing.
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby SusieThePensioner » Sat Nov 10, 2012 12:48 pm

Wow, John, what a fantastic set of photos :thumbup: The reflections and the views are stunning :D
I think the family photo is your best yet(of the 4 of you I mean) :lol:
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Re: Climbing the Devil's Staircase to heaven

Postby McLEOD » Sat Nov 10, 2012 1:21 pm

Great pics, why we go walking in the hills :thumbup:
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