Bidean nan Bian

[kathleenebowie]

Oh what a cracker of a day. Another Wednesday off, and with Duncan as my walking partner, and a good forecast, it was time to tackle Glencoe again. After last week's good trip to Buachaille Etive Beag, we were up for something bigger, so Bidean nan Bian it was.

After dragging Duncan out of bed eventually, it was busy on the road up and I kept getting stuck behind lorries. We stopped at the green welly stop for a second breakfast, and after Duncan's roll took a long time to arrive we left with a takeaway and a freebee box of shortbread - and lovely it was too on the way up the mountain! Once in Glencoe and finally finding somewhere to park as the main car parks were busy, we set off. The temperature this week was lovely with a wee breeze to keep the midges away and keep us cool enough. Glencoe was looking fantastic in the sun, I had forgotten how beautiful it was here.

We headed down to the river and over the bridge and up into Coire nan Lochan. The path is very good and easy going up a steep slope into the coire. Up ahead we saw Stob Coire nan Lochan and eventually the large cliffs on it's west side. We headed right up the easier grassier slopes and up to the ridge. And what a view!! It was so much clearer than last week, and we could see for miles - Ben Nevis looked incredibly near without it't cloud cap for once, and we could see the Cuillins in the far distance.

It was a steep slog up to the summit of Stob Coire nan Lochan where we sat and had lunch. It felt high (and was) but not the highest point which looked like quite a steep climb again. We headed down a couple of hundred metres and then up to Bidean Nan Bian. Now this one felt like being on top of the world! Great views especially to the north. A few people were up here including a family with young kids - well done them! After this point we didn't see many people except one couple on the same route as us who we saw periodically, until we got down to the Lost valley.

Down to the bealach now, then back up to the second munro. This didn't take too long, again with great views down Glen Etive. The walking poles came into their own on the way down. The steep slope from the bealach to the lost valley was tricky at time, so we took our time. Being back down on the more level path was a relief and we made good time back through the valley and back to the car. By this time Duncan's young legs were much faster than mine and he took off ahead. This had to be one of th best days out for a long time! Fantastic weather and views.

Lovely day, with a chippy on the way home at the Real food cafe. They have a great system developed for the Covid situation, where you order on line using the wifi available in the car park - very impressed and great food.

[rockhopper]

That sounded good. Would agree - the views down Glen Etive can be spectacular and the walk down through the hidden valley gives a sense of history making one think back to when it was used for hiding cattle - cheers