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All week i had planned to do Meall a'Bhuiridh and Creise, then on my way home take in Ben Challum. On Friday the forecast from MWIS predicted 90% chance of cloud free Munros
, it was change of plan time!. My group was doing the Clachlet Traverse in the Blackmount Range so i thought i would join them and make it an epic day, with a forecast like that i wanted to stay out all day. Two of these Munros, Stob a'Choire Odhair & Stob Ghabhar, i had did in November solo.
We parked a couple of cars at the finish and drove back to Victoria Bridge, we started walking at 9am.
200M North of the carpark you head West on a landrover track for 2K, take a right at the green hut and follow the distinct path NW for another 2K. This should bring you to the SW ridge of Stob a'Choire Odhair, 770M ascent now lies ahead
We headed up the ridge, this was tough going for some. The weather was not as forecast with cloud below 500M and a constant drizzle showering us, but it was warm as now wind....don't think any views to be had today, or photos
We got to the Summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair in 2hrs. Quick bite to eat and we headed West to Stob Ghabhar
The ascent onto the Aonach Eagach ridge was steep, we had snow and some ice underfoot but only an ice axe was required....still no views!
I was curious to see how this short ridge section would present itself as when i did it in November it was covered in fresh snow, a sqeaky bum moment for me back then
The ridge had very little snow and presented no difficulties at all.
Stob Ghabhar was reached in 4hrs - we had a 30 min lunch break.
The next part of the walk was virgin territory for me, and for all of us. We would have to take care with route planning.
Gordon had a GPS which we used a few times just to clarify our position.
We headed North for 1.5k along the Aonach Mor ridge then NW for 600m. The GPS confirmed our position and we took a NE line down to the Bealach Fuar Chathaidh.
At this point the skies cleared and we got some welcome views - Clach Leathad, and its SW face, lay ahead....it looked rather steep
The cloud came again and it was a relentless slog up to Clach Leathad - Gordon and I relished the physical challenge
Soon everyone was at the summit of Clach Leathad....."is this the 3rd Munro" nope!
We knew we had enough daylight to finish this so from now we took it easy.
From Clach Leathad its a straight Line North 1.5k to Creise
It was time for some sillyness in the snow.....
Creise now in sight and soon reached
From Creise head back South 500M along the ridge and take a direct line East to Meall a'Bhuiridh
This was a nice little climb to the summit. Again we stopped for a quick fuel top up.
We now had just over 2k NE to the car park at the ski centre, all downhill
Some fun was had sliding down the Piste
We had heard stories of an ice axe murderer at the bottom of the piste....
To be continued....
At 6.15pm we hit the car park. We drove back to Victoria car park for the other cars. At 7.15pm we enjoyed a beer in the Bridge of Orchy Hotel. I got home at 9.15pm.
Although the weather was crap this was a hugely enjoyable day in good company, well done everyone
Ascent to Aonach Eagach Ridge
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly3D1YIy9oM&hd=1[/youtube]
