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A “lazy” start (and not being properly packed and ready
) saw me arrive at Glen Nevis and opt for the “easy option” on day 1…. Parking up at the car park just past Achriabhach and attaching my hardware to my pack, I was off.
Despite being super late (it was about 10
) it wasn’t warm so I set off wearing many layers. I headed off on a quick march through the strange gates that are leaning over on themselves (anyone else nearly lost fingers on these
?) and followed the path up alongside the Allt Coire a’ Mhusgain.
A lot of the ground was relatively frozen but there were still some boggy sections. The last occasion I was here was possibly the hottest day of last year and was bone dry but I can imagine it being quite a quagmire during wetter times
I avoided the path off to the left (the descent from the Ring of Steall) and continued up the glen. Although some of the tops had been a wee bit misty when I set off, things were clearing nicely – looking back was very bonny
And ahead to Stob Ban
As I climbed higher up I could see the scale of the rocks – almost Torridonian!
The sun was making an appearance too!
Soon I was into snow although the path was still clear and the well worn footprints meant that crampons weren’t needed just yet….
However some of the snow looked fairly unstable – this bit is just hanging on
I began catching people up; I overtook a group as I was heading into the corrie and then I could see this party ahead, looking very intrepid as they climbed the snowy slopes ahead
I caught the next group up as they stopped to put their crampons on, so it seemed sensible to do the same
Soon after I reached the ridge and could see Stob Ban ahead – the last wee section looked like it might be a little tricky
It was very cold – the wind was strong and blowing bits of loose snow around but the views were outstanding – Beinn a’ Bheithir
There were some incredibly impressive cornices along the ridge so care was needed to stay well away
I overtook the group ahead of me just before the final climb up to Stob Ban – I jokingly suggested they wanted to use me as a guinea pig
Look at that cornice
Hi ho Hi ho it’s off up a ridge we go….
Looking back – the Devil’s Ridge & Sgurr a’ Mhaim
The climbing here wasn’t difficult and although it required care it was nowhere near as bad as it had appeared from afar. What was very evident however, was the gigantic cornice on the top – people ahead of me had broken through it so it was easy enough to climb out onto the top but the snow was so deep that the cairn was completely buried. Judging by the size of the cornice I judged that (when standing a safe distance away from the edge!) I was higher than the cairn anyway, and there was no was I was going any closer to the edge for anything
It was a bonny view ahead along the ridge to Mullach nan Coirean
Definitely nae Jaxter on this precarious summit (Inn Pinn? Yes I know, but there was nae giant cornice there
)
I moved on a little before stopping to get a few photos, as despite the insecurity of my position it really was a stunning viewpoint!
The sun glinting off Big Ben
Looking towards the 912 spot there were two more people a short distance ahead
Looking from the 912 spot back towards the summit of Stob Ban – just beautiful.
Sgurr a’ Mhaim & The Devil’s Ridge
The Long and Winding Road
Looking back again
It wasn’t really hanging about weather as the wind was freezing so off I went, giving the edge of the ridge a very wide berth
Soon I caught up with the couple ahead of me – they were visiting from Gloucestershire and seemed to be enjoying Scottish Winter
We walked together along the next section of ridge towards a large cairn.
My new pals
Ben Nevis again
Looking back to Stob Ban – what a lovely looking hill
Nevis, CMD & the Aonach becoming visible
This cairn heralded the tip of Coire Dearg (which was bulls**t – it was white!
) I left my new friends behind as I began the journey around the corrie.
Wind whipping up snow ahead
There were a few interesting sections along here – with crampons on the temptation is to stick to snow as much as possible when it gets rocky, but there were a few scrambly moments where significant care was required; looking back to one such moment as my pals negotiate it behind me
Ahead again – yes, another cornice photo
With the visibility near perfect the navigation was easy and cornices were easily avoided but I could imagine that in less good conditions it could be pretty hazardous
Looking back as I begin the final ascent to Mullach nan Coirean
Ben Nevis & pals
Ben Nevis & all of today’s ridge
Reaching the summit of Mullach nan Coirean there was no danger of this cairn being buried – it was huge!! I did climb it, of course, but not in time for a self timer
More familiar summit pose
Fort William and towards Glenfinnan
Stob Ban (on the right) and the Mamores
Beinn a’ Bheithir
Stob Ban
The Aonach’s & Grey Corries
The mighty Garbh Bheinn of Ardgour
Sun on Big Ben
Blue skies & Mamores
Loch Linnhe – I did consider walking out to the extra summit but in the end my tired legs and mega plans for the next few days won out. I’ll be back for sure!!
It seemed a shame to go down when I could stay and see this….
My pals from earlier arrived after a while and we had a wee chat as I soaked up more views before I decided to see if I could find the way down….the top section was steep and icy and would have been impossible without crampons (as would a lot of today!)
Looking back along the Mamores
I’m not sure what these hills are but I loved how the sun was hitting them as I descended
As I dropped lower I got a different perspective on today's hills – mighty impressive for sure
Looking back up – after the initial steep section it was easy walking on the snow
Coire Riabhach
Eventually the crampons came off and it was a steep and increasingly squishy descent until I reached the stile and new path through the woods…such a relief to my knees!
Back at the car I chilled out and headed for some food as I just couldn’t be bothered cooking – I can recommend the Ben Nevis Inn; lovely vibe, friendly people and delicious food
As I walked back across the bridge back to my car afterwards it was a glorious evening in Glen Nevis
Back at the car it was planning time – would the weather align with my mental plans for the next day?