Buachaille Etive Mor on a 4 season day.

[kw1980]

My first walk of the year, returning to my favourite corner of the country. It had been a while since I had seen my walking buddies, now no longer working together. Our motley crew consisted of myself and friends Bobby, Lee and Tommy. After a quick drive up we arrived in Glen Coe at around 9am and parked up at Lagangarbh, the weather was all over the place, with bouts of heavy rain and high winds being interspersed with glorious sunshine.

First look, with a hint of a rainbow.

The way up.

A short haul later and we were on the bealach at the head of Coire na Tulaich just in time for the cloud to descend and obscure our path to Stob Dearg, the winds were gusting as we assailed the summit, but not enough to give us a break in the wall of white. Mass disappointment all round as we were all eager to gaze out at the vast Rannoch Moor from surely the best vantage point

Halfway up the coire

View from Stob Dearg summit

No sooner had we retraced our steps to the bealach than the summit of Stob Dearg cleared! Typical, just gives me an excuse to return, not that I need much of one. By now the sun had come out and was painting the landscape with some awe inspiring colours and sights in all directions. This is why we do this, absolutely fantastic.

Looking ahead to Stob na Doire

Looking North from slopes of Stob na Doire

Lee & Tommy with Lairig Gartain and Stob Dubh in the background

Me with Buachaille Etive Beag behind

Looking out to Rannoch Moor

We took a stop at the high point of Stob na Doire just as the heavens opened and treated us with stinging hail and a flurry of snow to complete our weather conditions for one day. What a country. Then followed quite a descent down a fairly steep side of Stob na Doire and past the bags of stones at the start of the escape route down to Lairig Gartain.

Formidable looking Stob na Doire

Rainbow in Lairig Gartain

As we made our way across the last section of ridge towards our 2nd munro of the day we were assaulted again by gusting winds and driving rain, only abating as we were turning back at Stob na Broige's cairn. We made a relatively straight forward descent in warm sunshine, even removing a few layers as the temperature rose.

Bobby at Stob na Broige summit

Looking down to Glen Etive

The walk back to the car was long and enjoyable, never the less we were glad to get the packs off and head to the Kingshouse for a few refreshments and began planning our next meetup in the hills.

[Bod]

What a great day out, and every day is unique as you suggest. Love the colours tooo....

[LeithySuburbs]

So that's what Stob na Doire looks like . Cheers .

[colgregg]

Despite the spells of driving rain, at least it wasn't a constant downpour, it looks like you got some fine views. That in my book is a result. What a way to dry out, too, over a few pints.