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Parked up in the layby across from the big cairn, 'suited n booted' by 10am. The day was looking good with high cloud. Down in the Glen you could tell we're nearing winter ... it was a cold start to the day, only 1 degree according to the car thermostat. As we climbed up, some sunlight broke over the tops of the hills giving a little welcome heat.
Starting on the Lairig Eilde path and turning left up Mam Bhuide.Views begin to open up across Beinn Fhada to Stob Coire nan Lochan.The view back to the A82 and Am Bodach Reaching the bealach on Etive Beag it was quite warm when the sun wasn't behind the clouds, but there was a definite nip to the wind blowing across the ridge. We decided to tackle Stob Coire Raineach first, in the hope that the views down Glencoe would be a good backdrop for my hundredth munro summit. The climb up to SCR was steep and boulder strewn, but easy to gain height quickly.
Reaching the bealach and seeing the ascent of Stob Coire Raineach.At the summit of Stob Coire Raineach, it turned out, the views down Glencoe were mostly blocked by the nose of Stob nan Cabar, but the views across the surrounding hills were stunning and fab momentos for my 100th
Stob Coire Raineach summit ... 100th !!!! ... and my usual uncomfortable camera pose Allison on the summit of Stob Coire Raineach.Ben Nevis hiding its head in the clouds.Summit view to Stob Coire Sgreamhach, Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire nan LochanZoom to Stob Coire nan Lochan and its pinnacle buttresses on the rightBlackwater Reservoir.Looking to the next target of the day, Stob Dubh.Leaving SCR behind, we head back down to the bealach for some lunch (tuna pasta
) before starting the climb to Stob Dubh and its ridge. The ascent up to the first cairn at the start of the ridge is a pleasant walk.
Starting the Ascent up to the ridge for Stob DubhReaching the cairn at the 902m spot height, the view of the ridge is very cool. Although it looks sharp, its an easy walk across. On the final ascent, it did get a little narrower and rocky, but never difficult.
Getting onto the ridge it looks impressively knife-edge(y)!Reaching the summit there are 2 cairns. GPS confirmed the first was the true summit, but the usual optical illusion made the further cairn look higher. So I made my way over to make sure. Looking back, the illusion was confirmed and I could see the first cairn was definitely higher. However, its was worthwhile visiting the second as you get great views to Loch Etive.
Stob Dubh summit cairn ... 101st ... The second cairn peaking behind does look higher?The view off the end of Stob Dubh to Loch Etive.Allison waiting up on the summit of Stob Dubh, obviously higher and dispelling the optical illusion.Looking across to Coire Eilde and the peak of Stob Coire Sgreamhach.Leaving Stob Dubh, we retraced our steps back to the bealach and began the descent down the well constructed path, complete with stone staircase, back to the car. Despite our leisurely pace and stops, we still managed to return in, just under, the outside book time of 6 hours.
When I started this hillwalking malarky for a bit of exercise, I never imagined I was starting something that would see me on 100 munro summits! Having reached triple digits, little thoughts are surfacing on the possibility of compleating
Anyway, 182 more munro summits out there for me to think about ... each day as it comes and each summit one at a time, maybe one day ...
The return journey, looking back across to Stob Coire Raineach.Buachaille Etive Beag Photo Album