Beautiful day on brilliant Bidean.

[mamoset]

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

The forecast for Saturday had been consistent all week, so we headed up to Glen Coe to tackle Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach.

The obligatory Bookil shot!!

We used the favoured route which takes you up Coire nan Lochan first.

Gearr Aonach.

Stob Coire nan Lochan is in view for most of this route.

Stob Coire nan Lochan.

It was a bit chilly in the coire, but the sun was beating down on Aonach Eagach, making it look Autumnal

Aonach Eagach.

Higher up there was still a bit of snow about, so spikes and axe came out.

Route up.

As the snow was soft, it made it harder going than it should have been.

Back to the AE.

We were soon within touching distance of the lochans and were warming up nicely The impressive north face of Stob Coire nan Lochan rose above us.

Stob Coire nan Lochan.

We had initially planned to go up Boomerang Gully, but with the snow being so soft, and evidence of small avalanches, common sense prevailed and we skirted to the NW arm of SCnL before heading up.

Small avalanche.

As we gained height, the views became absolutely incredible, and to steal Black Panthers fave saying, "mountain porn" was very much the phrase to be used

Ben Nevis and friends.

The Bookil ridges.

Beinn a' Bheithir.

Grey Corries over AE.

The sheer scale of the Highlands, when seen like this, takes your breath away, it was truly stunning. Figuring things could only get better, we headed up to the summit of SCnL, passing some impressive pinnacles on the way.

SCnL pinnacles.

From the summit, we got our first sighting of Bidean and Sgreamhach.

Bidean nam Bian.

Stob Coire Sgreamhach.

Had a quick chat with some lads who were paragliding off SCnL then headed over the bealach above Collie's Pinnacle and made our way carefully up to Bideans summit.

KS being extra careful!!

The view down Glen Etive was awesome.

Ben Starav & Ben Cruachan among others.

Down Etive from Bideans summit.

Sgurr na h-Ulaidh from the summit.

Ben Nevis and co again.

Having wasted so much time with this porn!!! we decided to give Stob Coire nam Beith a miss. It's not far to go, but we had been enjoying the walk and views so much, time just flew by. So we left Bidean and set off down to Bealach Dearg where we left our packs and made for Sgreamhach's top.

Bealach Dearg and our route down to the Lost Valley.

Bidean and SCnL from Sgreamhach's top.

Across Stob Dearg to a distant Schiehallion from Sgreamhach.

The descent from Bealach Dearg was great fun, jumping straight onto the snow and utilising the axe as a brake. Saved us quite a bit of time too as the snow level took us down 300m is no time At the valley bottom, it is a straightforward walk down the gully and back to the parking area.

Lost Valley looking back to descent route.

I have to say that this was one of, if not the, best days walking i have done. The distance and time are irrelevant, the views and the beauty of the area will stay with me forever

[kev_russ]

Braw I was next door on the wee Bookil. It twas a lovely day

[JimboJim]

Great photo's. Thanks for making me jealous!

[Collaciotach]

Grand photos and very Alpine

[simon-b]

Is there anyone who wasn't on the mountains in Argyll on Saturday? It really was a fabulous weekend in that part of Scotland, and it's good to see you got a piece of the action too, mamoset. Your day looks to have been pretty awesome.

[Alteknacker]

Some sensational mountain porn there! I love the one of the Ben with AE in the foreground. Envy, envy

[dogplodder]

That was spectacularly good and I am more than a little bit jealous!

[dooterbang]

Great photos, great day, great report

[mamoset]

Thanks all, it really was a great day

[scottishkennyg]

Nice one M, some cracking pictures in there..liked the action shot on the ridge. Cheers K

[Mal Grey]

A fantastic looking day, thanks for sharing. Very jealous.

[rockhopper]

Lovely - one of my favourites, esp for the view down Glen Etive - cheers

[mamoset]

Nice one M, some cracking pictures in there..liked the action shot on the ridge. Cheers K

Thanks Kenny

A fantastic looking day, thanks for sharing. Very jealous.

Glad we got the kind of day that could make you jealous

Lovely - one of my favourites, esp for the view down Glen Etive - cheers

The view down Etive is terrific, I must agree

[redrook]

Looks like a fantastic route, can see it being very sketchy though in freeze-thaw conditions, if the snow was frozen neve. I'm guessing that was not the case this day!

[mamoset]

Looks like a fantastic route, can see it being very sketchy though in freeze-thaw conditions, if the snow was frozen neve. I'm guessing that was not the case this day!

Hi redrook, no, the snow was fairly soft all the way, so it wasn't a hard route at all. But it is a fantastic route