starav finally we meet!

[jac the lassie]

First time I saw ben starav was a year ago whilst walking up Ben Dorain. From there it looked almost star shaped and very much caught my eye.
Having walked the west Highland way a couple of weeks ago, it once again caught my eye coming over the hill above bridge of orchy.

Unfortunately whilst walking the way I torn the meniscus in my left knee. It seemed to be ok now, but any hill I did would be slow going to make sure I didn't stress the knee. I decided to go myself, so I could pick the pace that felt right or at worst, just turn round with out feeling guilty. Still thought I'd have a go at starav though, any others being a bonus.

Waterfall on the way up

Lovely walk in to the start

View up glen etive

Heading up and up and up......

Ridge to the summit

Ptarmigan in summer/ winter combo plumage

View in every direction where stunning!

View down glen etive

Over to Ben Cruachan

Then over a little plateau and down Stob Coire Dheirg. Nice grippy granite along the top.

Route down

Sort of path on to ridge

Much fun!

Decided i'd try Beinn Nan Aighenan as Glas Beinn Mhor could easily be tagged onto another day if I got tired.

Up Aighenan

Must be some kind of optical illusion in play here, because it looks sooo near, but was far....
And down...... Before finally heading up

Cairn looking over to cruachan

And back down again...

By this stage the weather was glorious! I still felt great because I'd been moving at a snails pace all day, so headed up Glas Bheinn Mhor via Meall Nan Tighearean. Nice grassy ridge along the top, so finally able to stride out a bit. Had a coffee and soaked in the view for a good hour, sun was out and not a hint of a breeze.

Ben starav from Glas Bheinn Mhor

Finally headed down. Cracking day!

Easy going now

Lovely waterfalls all the way down

River etive

[edinburgh36]

Looks lovely Jac! Very jealous

[Fife Flyer]

Nice one Jac
One of the contenders for my favourite hill

[basscadet]

What an achievement with a knee injury.. Looked brilliant
Funny how much some bonny weather perks you up

[jac the lassie]

Looks lovely Jac! Very jealous

Cheers laura! July's not far off for getting back out!

Nice one Jac
One of the contenders for my favourite hill

Thanx martin, it's a cracking hill! Think I still love ben lui a bit more, but it's defo a close second.......currently!

What an achievement with a knee injury.. Looked brilliant
Funny how much some bonny weather perks you up

Cheers bass cadet, nothing better than getting fab weather. Getting to see that your on top of the world!

[JimboJim]

Wow, cracking hill and report, Jac. You're brave. That's a big hill. Well done! Still got this one to do and just hoping summer will kick-in someday.

Jimmy

[Alteknacker]

Nice pics, Jac. I got my first view of it when doing the Buichailles last year, and it's a really imposing looker - top of my list for this year (but being a wimp, I'm waiting for good weather to justify the long drive ).

Frustrating when some kind of physical problem gets in the way of one's aspirations - like you, I had a bit of a knee problem for part of last year that interfered with the plans.

But in the end you got a smashing day, eh?

[Huff_n_Puff]

Inspiring stuff, glad to know that taking it gently meant you could do such a big walk with a knee injury. Makes it a possibility with an iffy back lovely photos.

[jac the lassie]

Wow, cracking hill and report, Jac. You're brave. That's a big hill. Well done! Still got this one to do and just hoping summer will kick-in someday.

Jimmy

Cheers jimmy, it's a long slog up but the views are amazing!!! The weather really has been a bit hit or miss. I'm just running up when it looks hopeful, not worth the diesel otherwise.

[jac the lassie]

Nice pics, Jac. I got my first view of it when doing the Buichailles last year, and it's a really imposing looker - top of my list for this year (but being a wimp, I'm waiting for good weather to justify the long drive ).

Frustrating when some kind of physical problem gets in the way of one's aspirations - like you, I had a bit of a knee problem for part of last year that interfered with the plans.

But in the end you got a smashing day, eh?

Cheers! Ye it's a striking looking hill. Think it'll be nice to see it now I've been up it. I'm not particularly the bravest either, like to pick the better weather, not worth the diesel otherwise! I'm always injuring myself, I just keep going, but slower, much slower

[jac the lassie]

Inspiring stuff, glad to know that taking it gently meant you could do such a big walk with a knee injury. Makes it a possibility with an iffy back lovely photos.

Cheers, impossible to take a bad pic up there. Injury never stops me, just got to limit expectations of what can be done in a day. Anything else being a bonus. I hate captivity! I've been known to get out on wee marlyns on a badly sprained ankle before. Very very slowly

[dogplodder]

Well done with the knee. Looks a great hill - or three!