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The Buachaille is one of these amazing mountains in Scotland that when you drive past you always go 'how do you get up there?' and we were going to try and climb it
So headed off through some amazing cloud over Glen Orchy and Rannoch Moor before emerging to see the Buachaille with some amazing cloud on it. There was also a very pressing question on our minds as well...
- How do WE get up there?
Parked at the suggested parking at Altnafeadh and headed down to the footbridge over the River Coupall.
- The River Coupall and Beinn a' Chrulaiste
Followed the path into Lagangarbh NTS estate and then up into Coire na Tulaich
- I've found the way up the Buachaille!
The snow ahead was bringing doubts as to whether it would be ascendable today.
- How do you get up that?
Now we're back to square one
So, we headed for the snow of DOOM
- Have we come THAT far?
The way we found to get past the snow was to head through the middle of the two patches, although the path heads for the right but it went under the snow and was impassable.
- What's the fuss?
The moment you get to the bealach is one of those OMGGM (oh my goodness gracious me) moments, so I'll keep it a surprise
Anyway, we headed left towards Stob Dearg, where there was some confusion over what the real summit was. The GPS told us the one closest to Rannoch Moor, so we went with that.
- Stob Dearg view
- Woohoo!
So, it was time to head back to the bealach, where we saw a constant stream of people heading up the path
, helped some people as to how to avoid the snow and then continue on for Stob na Broige, but first was Stob na Doire.
- Along Feadan Ban
To the summit!
A short while later, we were there!
- Stob na Doire
Stob na Doire is one of these tops which is miles higher than a munro near it, in this case Stob na Broige, which is 55 metres lower than Stob na Doire
- Even that looks lower than us!?!
Time to head for the bealach above Coire Altruim.
Now to check out where our descent route is
- It should be here!?!
Oh
So,
Stob no. 3 then (see what I did there
), which is Stob Coire Altruim.
Off to Stob na Broige, so headed along the ridge until just before the summit where there was a patch of snow where there was no option but to cross it
- You don't believe me!
Once that was crossed with no difficulty we were at the summit.
- Ben Starav photobombing
- We've walked that?!?
- Lunch looking to Beinn Mhic Chasgaig
Back to the bealach!
- Buachaille Etive Beag
Decided to turn left down just before the snow to pick up the ridge sloping down, before the path was visible half out the snow, where we headed down to it.
- The path
- Looking back
Headed down Coire Altruim next to Allt Coire Altruim (original name). Good view of the cliffs below Stob Coire Altruim (where did they get that from?!?) The snow was melting fast, so was having to hide from the sun in places
- Sneaky...
Down to the River Coupall flowing through Lairig Gartain.
- An originally named river? No way!
So it was back to the car park. We then found a path just to the south of the road, which was handy.
Off we go then!
- How do you get up there?
Due to it being the last day of half term, it was not quick getting back home (5 miles of queues before Balloch
)
Stick on the BBQ!