Streap Ahead

[Cairngorm creeper]

Streap, on a sunny autumn day gave us a great introduction to the Glenfinnan area.

Streap and our route on the ridge from Meall an Uillt Chaoil to Streap Comhlaidh

The Route

The route we chose allowed us to walk in making maximum use of the track but still include most of the ridge.
At 8:15, we were parked and on our way through the gate that leads from the carpark when we remembered that we had to walk a little way down the road and follow the track along the Dubh Lighe . The second challenge of the day was how to get through the kissing gate whilst wearing a rucksack .

Is it me?

Problem solved and at last we are safley on our way peering through the trees to admire The Dubh Lighe winding, sometimes cascading, through the channel it has worn in the rock and enjoying tantalising glances of the hills up ahead. After about 2km the path divides, the left hand branch leading to Beinn an Tuim, but we forked right, over a storm damaged bridge, to follow the track further into Gleann Dubh Lighe.

The Dubh Lighe from the bridge

Meall an Uillt Chaoil as we emerge from the wood.

9:50 and time for a brew up to prepare for the ascent

From below Streap, with its long narrow top is a less obvious summit than its neighbours on the ridge and anyone who has not studied the topography on the map could easily mistake Streap Comdhlaidh or Stob Coire nan Cearc for the highest point. Of course I would never make such a basic mistake
We had not decided exactly where to make our ascent, but the slopes leading up to Coire an Tuim and Bealach a Chait did not look overly steep and would allow us to walk round most of the ridge.

Contemplating the best line of ascent

Initially the ground was very rough through extremely tussocky long grass but improved higher up. The visability was good and we didn't bother with a bearing, at one stage we felt we drifting too far left, so veered right, then as we got higher realised that we had missed out the Coire and the Bealach and were heading straight to the summit of Meall an Uillt Chaoil .

Stopping to admire the views as we ascended Meall an Uillt Chaoil.

From the flat top of Meall an Uillt Chaoil there was an obvious path winding down the pleasant but complex broad ridge. The path, soon however became faint and making the route finding more interesting.

Winding our way down Meall an Uillt Chaoil

Extensive mountain views in all directions

Although clear and sunny it was fairly blustery on the ridge, and we were a bit concerned about the narrow crest of Streap.

Bealach Coire nan Cearc our last chance to escape the ridge

We were pleased that we decided to continue our walk, and the winds were not too bad, we were never at risk of been blown over, but did stick to the path rather than balance along the crest .

Over Stob Coire nan Cearc. Streap ahead. Sgurr Thuilm to the left

Surrounded by the mountains

The final ascent to Streap was narrow but there is a good path running alongside the crest and we did not find it overly exposed even in the wind. Streap summit is like a long narrow blade, with a cairn at the end of it, giving fine views on both sides but wide enough for a good walking path all the way along.

Looking down into the Coire and the Glen

14:00 Streap summit

View to the south

But no brew up much to the annoyance of Jeremy Jetboil who missed out on his summit pose.

The descent from the summit was quite steep and with the narrow ridge leading most of the way around to the Streap Comhlaidh.

Too fine a point not to pose on.

Looking out to the north

Streap Comhlaidh and the way down

The final ascent.

Ben Nevis from Streap Comhlaidh

Time to make our descent, and this time we did take a bearing to make sure we were heading in the right direction but once we were on the wide slopes leading to the Glen it was more a case of finding the best route for easiest walking. Amongst the tufts, prominences and troughs I had the distinct impression there was something very nasty just waiting for me to fall in it and should one be foolish enough to take your eyes of your feet to admire the veiws landing flat on your face was inevitable

Eventually we reached some muddy Landrover tracks which gave a save but boggy route back to the crossing over The Dhub Lighe. We were ready for our final brew up and topped up the water bottles for our walk out through the woods.

A pleasant stroll back through the woods to reach the car 18:30, feeling rather the tired. The rough ground, ascent and wind had all made this feel like quite a big day, but a thoroughly enjoyable outing which has left me looking forward to more trips to Glenfinnan.

[rockhopper]

Great day for it - that looked good. Very nearly ended up here two days after you but went a wee bit further north instead. Hope to get your sort of weather when I do get here - cheers

[BlackPanther]

This one has been on our radar for a while - looks steep but very entertaining! Shame that weather has broken

[Cairngorm creeper]

Thank you, I hope you get the weather and views when you do it. It is always hard to know what to do between the sun and the snow so fingers crossed we get a few more sunny days after this spell of rain.

[Huff_n_Puff]

Enjoyed that, looks a great outing, but how could you not have a summit brew up, didn't you consider Jeremy Jetboil's fan base?

[litljortindan]

I think Hamish Brown commented that Streap has one of the steepest grassy slopes -certainly looks it. Dramatic hill / fine narrow ridge. One day maybe...

[Cairngorm creeper]

Enjoyed that, looks a great outing, but how could you not have a summit brew up, didn't you consider Jeremy Jetboil's fan base?

Jerermy is very sorry about the summit pic., he said it was due to events totally outside his control but will try to do better next time .

I think Hamish Brown commented that Streap has one of the steepest grassy slopes -certainly looks it. Dramatic hill / fine narrow ridge. One day maybe...

It is a very fine hill and the steep slopes do look improbabley grassy, worthwhile when you feel up to the slog.