free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
I parked at the "tourist" car park and was the first car there and was hoping to get away before the tourists arrived. No such luck as a bus load arrived as i was getting my boots on. Over they came in their droves with cameras in hand but not one good morning from any of them as i looked up as they passed. My opinion of tourists has not changed. Now to the walk. I took the path up to Coire nan Lochan which climbs steeply with one section of smooth slab to negotiate. Not long after here a marker cairn is reached, where you have a choice of routes to Stob Coire nan Lochan. I carried on to reach the small Lochans as i did when i did this walk in May a few years ago, turning right then to head over to Pinnacle Buttress. On that occasion i only got to Bidean nam Bian due to snow lying in awkward spots. This time i continued to the left of the lochans and headed for Stob Coire nan Lochans north east ridge and onwards to the summit. I then dropped down and and climbe up to Bidean nam Bian and from there the easy ridge walk and climb to Stob Coire Sgreamhach. I had lunch here before i headed back to Bealach Dearg and the route back down through the Lost Valley. Here i met four walkers on their way up from the Lost Valley, whom i had a wee chat with discussing the route down the scree. For me it wasn't as bad as i thought it was going to be. Further down i met another two walkers, had a wee chat, then another two, another wee chat and then i carried on down. When i came down this way the last time i carried on straight past the big boulder but this time i noticed the path to the right of it and took this, a far better way than my previous route. Soon i was back at the car park, which was full now with tourists so quickly changed i made my escape. A brilliant walk on a nice calm day bumping into some nice friendy walkers. I do have to say i had a nice chat with a Canadian asking about the Lost Valley as he was taking a wee walk up to it and just wanted to know how long it would take.
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