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I had errands in fort William on Friday and figured it would be a shame not to climb a hill while I was there. Plenty of options there, I had a couple of plans in the works but with errands quickly sorted and the weather excelling itself it was time for Plan A
Negotiating my way down Glen Nevis, I found a very full car park but managed to squeeze on the end. Found a stream to top up my water and off I went
It was just before 11 and already very warm and I was grateful for the tree cover initially. It was an easy path down the glen and I was passing plenty of people who were out enjoying the sun from the ground and without grander plans.
Soon enough I was out of the trees and into the sun. Glen Nevis had opened out ahead of me and I could see the bridge ahead. There was a man and a group ahead of me....he walked across a shallow bit, the group seemed undecided
Figuring it was a nice day and not wanting to risk getting soaked early on, I popped my shoes and socks off, paddled across the shallows and spent a few minutes drying my feet in the sun. The most pleasant river crossing I'd ever done
Safely across, I watched others attempt the bridge
Clothes back on, I headed past the building and caught up with the man ahead. His name was Nigel and he was such good company that we ended up walking together, or maybe he just couldn't get rid of me...
We arrived at the Steall Falls…as I was travelling light today I realised I didn’t have my river-crossing bin bags…fortunately it was easy enough to pick my way across here, and even stopped for a photo…
With that obstacle now out of the way, I figured it would be plain sailing from here. It was not…I had heard rumours of the Glen Nevis Bog Factor. Let’s just say that the rumours were true. As I was in trail shoes, I climbed into the trees and scrambled my way along mossy rocks. Some interesting manoeuvres but I remained dry.
The bog circumnavigated, the path became easier and after a brief stop to apply copious amounts of suncream, we headed off up the path. It was easy initially before heading steeply upwards.
The path zig-zagged its way up hill. Height was gained quickly but it was hot work. Fortunately the views backwards gave a good excuse for a breather
We were passed by a guy covered in mud up to the knee…I asked him if he’d walked through the bog and he said yes
Finally gaining the ridge, we encountered a strange rock formation
And could also see across to our final summit of the day, Sgurr a’Mhaim. It didn’t look too far, but knew that it wouldn’t be easy!
From here it was an easy enough climb to the summit of An Gearanach, where we were greeted by even better views!
Glen Nevis
The mighty Binnein Mor & Na Gruagaichean
The whole ring ahead of us
The whole of the Nevis range; Nevis, CMD, Aonachs, & Grey Corries
Big Ben
I introduced Nigel to the Jaxter pose here which he thought was hilarious but somehow the picture didn’t work
The next section got quite exciting and we found ourselves scrambling along an exposed rocky arete. I generally stuck to the crest, although I was missing my boots and the trust I had in their grip. It was fun though, and we crossed unscathed.
A steep descent followed, although the good path aided this and before long we were headed up towards Stob Coire a’ Chairn.
Looking back to what we’d just descended
Binnein Mor & Na Gruagaichean again
It was a surprisingly easy ascent and before long we had reached our next objective. Stob Coire a’ Chairn gave excellent views back the way to Ben Nevis
Until I managed to spoil it
Demoted munro, Sgurr an Iubhair, the Devil’s ridge & Sgurr a’ Mhaim
We had a wee breather and a spot of lunch here as it was very warm and well past lunchtime.
After reapplying suncream it was time to get moving again. Descending easily to the bealach, we could see the imposing climb up Am Bodach ahead.
As we got closer a path became visible, zig zagging its way up in between the crags. It was steep going but slightly shaded which gave a bit of welcome relief from the sun
As we climbed higher the going became rockier and I enjoyed a bit of easy scrambling, whilst Nigel opted to not follow me if at all possible (sensible man
)
Once we reached the top the wind hit us – apparently we had been very sheltered up until now! But the views were absolutely sublime.
Down Loch Leven towards Beinn a’Bheithir
Nevis range, our route so far and Binnein Mor etc
Glencoe and beyond
The route ahead, with Stob Ban peeking out
Beinn a’Bheithir & Garbh Bheinn behind and the route ahead in the foreground
It was incredibly hot and we stopped for lunch 2.0. I had a wee wander out to the other cairn and it provided some more excellent views. The haze from earlier had lifted and you see
everything Binnein Mor & Na Gruagaichean
Everything
Everything (facing the other way)
Garbh Bheinn – absolutely love that hill
Beinn a’Bheithir
Bidean with the Aonach Eagach in front
We met another friend here and enjoyed chatting. He headed off, initially heading down although we managed to persuade him it was probably easier to stay on the ridge
After a quick pose….
It was time to get moving again. The descent was much less steep (evidence that we were definitely doing this the right way round
) and we reached the bealach easily.
Views from the bealach
We climbed up to Sgurr an Iubhair (it felt too easy to be another munro anyway
) But the views from it were excellent.
Nigel admiring Stob Ban where he’d been the day before
The Devil’s ridge and Sgurr a’ Mhaim ahead
We descended a little way before the path took off onto the ridge.
Another look at Stob Ban – this hill looks awesome
On the ridge – exposed enough to be airy but not so narrow as to be scary.
Stob Ban, Mullach nan Coirean and Garbh Bheinn behind
As we reached what turned out to be the hardest bit of the ridge, I decided I was going over the top. Nigel had already confessed to a dislike of exposure and as I scrambled over the first obstacle I heard him making a clucking noise from below me
The second obstacle had a downclimb I didn’t fancy without more trusted footwear so joined him in the chicken run
After this is was an easy walk off the ridge. Looking back I was surprised to see how much ascent was on the ridge – we had been enjoying it so much we hadn’t noticed
From here it was a simple walk to the summit. We were both feeling our legs and the heat, and was glad of a stop for a photo
The ridge with Glencoe behind; Bidean dominating
We arrived at the summit and met a group who had a dog that apparently ate people’s hands
I am not a dog person and stayed well away
As we were standing taking photos we saw a couple of planes fly down Glen Nevis
Nevis himself
An Gearanach with Binnein Beag, Binnein Mor & Na Gruagaichean behind
Stob Ban & Mullach nan Coirean with Loch Linnhe, Beinn a’Bheithir & Garbh Bheinn behind
Nevis massif
Mamore massif
Looking West
Devil’s Ridge & Glencoe
Spoiling the view again
We had a nice rest here, applied some more suncream and just enjoyed being out in the hills. It was some day
Eventually we figured we should get going again. Heading down the North-West ridge, we slipped and slid our way down, laughing at the sound-effects as each of us had many near slips
The descent was easy enough initially but once we reached the grass it became steeper. As we lost height the heat became more and more unbearable.
Glen Nevis in heat
We took our time on the descent but I think we had both got to the stage where we just wanted it to be over
I found a wee mouse whilst having a breather – he looked very lethargic so I squirted some water at him, wondering if he was dehydrated. He seemed uninterested or scared so I moved him under a rock out of the sun, hoping he would be ok once it had cooled down.
Mouse friend
Eventually we met the Stob Ban path which made much easier going. Looking back up the glen was impressive
Some of what we had just descended
Another near miss – met a froggy friend in the middle of the path. We tried to direct him towards the river
Reaching the river, it was a nice (but more uphill than desired) walk along the river, before crossing the bridge and finishing the last kilometre on the road. We were both pretty pleased to see the car park after what had been quite a tough day in the heat. Hugely rewarding though – what awesome hills!
I was faced with a 3 hour drive home - work in the morning was the only thing that stopped me going to the Rod & Reel in Crianlarich for their amazing mince and tatties
Thanks to Nigel for putting up with my terrible banter and blatant posing