Dance of the Dragons (BEB)

[Grisu]

It was a lovely sunny morning to start my personal fifth season After the usual 30 hrs journey with the long drives and the ferry crossing I didn't rush and have chosen the Buachille Etive Beag to settle in and to warm up. Looking around and taking some pictures helped to catalyze the process of acclimatisation and gave me space to relax.

The beehive cairn at the A 82

View into the Glen of Lairig Eilde

When I finally started to walk about 9:30 nobody was around despite some cars at the parking and it was not before I have reached Stob Coire Raineach that I met another walker.
While I was ascending the sky got cloudcovered as predicted. Just in time, I thought. If the weatherforecast stays as accurate like that it should clear off again around midday.

Cairn at Mam Buidhe

After a little break at Mam Buidhe I headed towards Stob Coire Raineach. The ascend reminded me of my walks on the neighbouring ridge of the BEM and I remember that my legs felt a bit heavy and my feet had been very unhappy in the tight boots. The usual torture at the beginning

Summit View

Bideam nam Bian - certainly somewhere

View towards the next destination

View towards Glen Coe with the Buachille Etive Mor to the right

On my way back to Mam Buidhe the sun came out again and walkers were strolling around.

Busy Mam Buidhe in sunshine.

The ridge walk towards Stob Dubh was pure pleasure.

Cairn at the point 902m with view to the ridge of Stob Dubh

Looking back to Stob Coire Raineach with views over Glen Coe and Buachille Etive Mor

Summit view from Stob Dubh to Loch Etive

The big neighbour: Buachille Etive Mor

Impressive corrie - if I only could name it

More summit views

At Stob Dubh I had the summit to my own, enjoyed the views and had fun with some "Rorschachs" as the sun was playing with the shadows of the clouds, inspiring my imagination, seeing A Dance of Dragons

The awakening

The approach

The encounter

Steep down Lairig Gartain

Lovely view to Ben Nevis and Càrn Mòr Dearg with the Arête and outlook to tomorrow's walk

Retracing my steps and enjoying the nice views on my way back.

Again view towards Glen Coe

Back at Mam Buidhe I said good-bye to the mountain and descended.

Ridge of Stob Coire Raineach

Ridge towards Stob Dubh

Descending from Mam Buidhe - Dragon back to sleep

Saying good-bye to the Dragon Hall

It was still early when I arrived at the parking, so I did some leisurely sightseeing along Glen Coe and had a nice supper at the Claichag Inn.

Glen Coe at the Three Sisiters

Scotland gave me a very warm welcome that day. Back at my cottage I discovered that I have caught a strong sunburn on the left side of my neck and part of my shoulders - autsch

[Graeme D]

You saw 100% more than I did from these summits. There could have been dragons climbing the hills that day and I would have been none the wiser! A great set of pictures from a fine looking day. I did wonder what the title was all about until got well through the report.

[Grisu]

You saw 100% more than I did from these summits. There could have been dragons climbing the hills that day and I would have been none the wiser! A great set of pictures from a fine looking day. I did wonder what the title was all about until got well through the report.

Happy you like it😊, thanks for reading!

[past my sell by date]

Nice - Lovely foxgloves - but Oh those ghastly great paths - they weren't there in my day.
I wrote this comment on Jaxter's BEM report

" When the SMC in their wisdom decided that there should be two munros on each of the Buchailles - crazy in my view but WDIK - I decided to knock off the two extra peaks in one walk. I took the normal route up B.E Beag, but at the ridge headed L to Stob Coire Raineach, then descended into the Lairig Gartain, crossed it and ascended towards Stob Coire Altruim - your return route.
Puffing a bit as it's quite steep I met a man descending near the top and said something like "not too far now" to which he replied in very puzzled voice "But this is the way DOWN" "

Some people confuse guidebooks with gospels

[Grisu]

Some people confuse guidebooks with gospels

That reminds me of a discussion with a guide on the Wainwright Trail in the Dales. The Dales! She didn't allow me to wear walking sandals because it is „written in the book“ only boots!
I think that was the turning point for me to quit guided walks and find a way to walk on my own but it was before I came to Scotland.
Cheers