An epic 7 from Victoria Bridge
Munros: Beinn nan Aighenan, Ben Starav, Glas Bheinn Mhòr, Meall nan Eun, Stob a' Choire Odhair, Stob Coir an Albannaich, Stob Ghabhar
Date walked: 11/05/2019
Time taken: 26.5 hours
Distance: 54km
Ascent: 3861m
This is my first walk report on this forum, after gaining a lot of knowledge from others that use this site and after planning trips of my own using the information provided I felt I should make a contribution of my own.. If this is of use to even one person that would be great! 
I couldn't seem to make my mind up on how to tackle these hills.. The 5 from Glen Etive? Or maybe stretch that over two days with a wildcamp? Maybe I could do all 7 in a walk from Etive to Victoria Bridge? Hang about, I didn't really fancy a long cycle back to my van in Glen Etive, especially on that dodgy section of the A82.
It was only upon reading this report by davetherave https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5904 that I had even thought about doing all 7 in some form of a loop. It would be a pretty big couple of days with lots of elevation but that was exactly what I needed after being out with injuries for 6+ weeks, hill withdrawals had caught up to me something fierce..
Weather was looking decent for the weekend so got everything packed up on the Friday, had a chilled Saturday morning and left Fort William at 1130. Got to the Victoria Bridge car park at 1230, checked my pack for what felt like the tenth time and left the van at 1300.
Traversed across to Stob Ghabhar fairly quickly, fun little ascent over loose scree with a great view back down to the little lochan. My original plan was to summit 3 out of the 7 munros then find somewhere to camp.
Nice walk between the second and third munros over soft ground with a faint path for most of the way.
The sun was starting to set by this point but I was still feeling quite fresh so decided to summit the fourth hill then find some flat ground for the tent.
Now, I don't tend to sleep well in a tent at the best of times but this night was definitely the worst yet. Glad I took extra base layers to sleep in as it was chilly baltic throughout the night. Must have fallen asleep at about 1200 only to wake a 0300 wide awake with no chance of drifting off again
Luckily I had 4G so I just watched some youtube and listened to some of my audio book until I was ready to get up. About 0440 in the end 
Had some coffee and breakfast and by this point the sky was already bright so got some pictures in before striking camp.
Left my pack at the low point of the ridge between Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor, did not fancy hauling it up Starav for no reason seeing as I was returning this way. Found somewhere safe to leave it and carried on. The ascent of Starav from this side is more of a rocky affair compared to the other hills and this makes for a more exciting ascent, especially once you hit the ridge nearer the summit. Stick to the crest of the ridge for the whole way and it does make it feel a bit more 'airy'. It was already boiling hot by this point so had to ditch the jumper and was just in shorts and t-shirt. Was only about 0800!
Chilled out on the summit of Beinn nan Aighenan for 10-15mins before starting the long descent over rough heathery ground. Pretty much followed the long shoulder all the way before descending the really steep section aiming for the trees below. Im sure there is a more pleasant route to follow but this seemed like the fastest way down at the time.
Once down you can join the path that takes you all the way back to Victoria bridge car park. There are a couple of river crossings that could be difficult when wet but were no problem on a day like this. Cross the bridge once you reach it, then the stile.
My route took me through the gate however this was locked. So follow this 'Through Route' sign and it takes you on a path that links back up with Clashgour hut, then follow the well made gravel road back to Victoria Bridge car park.
This was such a great couple of days for me after being out for soo long with injuries. It was definitely a long and hard route but splitting it over two days makes it much more manageable. Thanks for reading if you've made it this far and I look forward to writing my next post now!
Stats for those interested:
Elevation 12,670feet / 3861meters.
Moving time 13.5 hours.
I couldn't seem to make my mind up on how to tackle these hills.. The 5 from Glen Etive? Or maybe stretch that over two days with a wildcamp? Maybe I could do all 7 in a walk from Etive to Victoria Bridge? Hang about, I didn't really fancy a long cycle back to my van in Glen Etive, especially on that dodgy section of the A82.
It was only upon reading this report by davetherave https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=5904 that I had even thought about doing all 7 in some form of a loop. It would be a pretty big couple of days with lots of elevation but that was exactly what I needed after being out with injuries for 6+ weeks, hill withdrawals had caught up to me something fierce..
Weather was looking decent for the weekend so got everything packed up on the Friday, had a chilled Saturday morning and left Fort William at 1130. Got to the Victoria Bridge car park at 1230, checked my pack for what felt like the tenth time and left the van at 1300.
- Walk in to Clashgour.
- Clashgour Hut, turn right just after this.
- Decent path leading towards the hills.
- Turn right once you hit the cairn, then follow this decent stalkers path for the ascent.
- The views starting to open up towards Cruachan.
- First glimpse of Stob Ghabhar.
- View from the summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair over towards Nevis, CMD, the Aonachs and the Bookle..
Traversed across to Stob Ghabhar fairly quickly, fun little ascent over loose scree with a great view back down to the little lochan. My original plan was to summit 3 out of the 7 munros then find somewhere to camp.
- The route ahead. About 4/5 miles from the summit of Stob Ghabhar to the summit of Meall nan Eun.
Nice walk between the second and third munros over soft ground with a faint path for most of the way.
- Hail showers moving in from the north. Only lasted a few minutes.
- Ascent route of Meall nan Eun. Pretty much follow the line of the wall up the steep rocky ground. Stob Coir an Albannaich to the top right.
- View down to the walk out past Loch Dochard.
The sun was starting to set by this point but I was still feeling quite fresh so decided to summit the fourth hill then find some flat ground for the tent.
- Home for the night, looking back to the summit of Stob Coir an Albannaich.
- The view across to tomorrows route. Glas Bheinn Mhor (middle), Starav (right) and Beinn nan Aighenan (left).
- Sunset clipping Stob Coir an Albannaich.
Now, I don't tend to sleep well in a tent at the best of times but this night was definitely the worst yet. Glad I took extra base layers to sleep in as it was chilly baltic throughout the night. Must have fallen asleep at about 1200 only to wake a 0300 wide awake with no chance of drifting off again
Luckily I had 4G so I just watched some youtube and listened to some of my audio book until I was ready to get up. About 0440 in the end Had some coffee and breakfast and by this point the sky was already bright so got some pictures in before striking camp.- Sunrise. Camera quality not the best, think I was still shaking from the cold here!
- Strong coffee to wake me up after a rubbish night sleep. Couldn't ask for a better view to kick start the day though.
- Steep descent down loose scree before the ascent of Glas Bheinn Mhor. Can just make out a little tent in the shade.
- Beinn nan Aighenan and the mighty bulk of Ben Cruachan in the distance.
Left my pack at the low point of the ridge between Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor, did not fancy hauling it up Starav for no reason seeing as I was returning this way. Found somewhere safe to leave it and carried on. The ascent of Starav from this side is more of a rocky affair compared to the other hills and this makes for a more exciting ascent, especially once you hit the ridge nearer the summit. Stick to the crest of the ridge for the whole way and it does make it feel a bit more 'airy'. It was already boiling hot by this point so had to ditch the jumper and was just in shorts and t-shirt. Was only about 0800!
- Ben Starav.
- The route back down towards Glas Bheinn Mhor and the col where I left my pack!
- Beinn nan Aighenan and its approach, theres a fairly good path for most of the way. Bit of a slog of an ascent for me as the legs were starting to feel like concrete.
Chilled out on the summit of Beinn nan Aighenan for 10-15mins before starting the long descent over rough heathery ground. Pretty much followed the long shoulder all the way before descending the really steep section aiming for the trees below. Im sure there is a more pleasant route to follow but this seemed like the fastest way down at the time.
Once down you can join the path that takes you all the way back to Victoria bridge car park. There are a couple of river crossings that could be difficult when wet but were no problem on a day like this. Cross the bridge once you reach it, then the stile.
- The steep descent route.
- Diversion.
My route took me through the gate however this was locked. So follow this 'Through Route' sign and it takes you on a path that links back up with Clashgour hut, then follow the well made gravel road back to Victoria Bridge car park.
This was such a great couple of days for me after being out for soo long with injuries. It was definitely a long and hard route but splitting it over two days makes it much more manageable. Thanks for reading if you've made it this far and I look forward to writing my next post now!
Stats for those interested:
Elevation 12,670feet / 3861meters.
Moving time 13.5 hours.
Click to mark this as a great report. Register or Login free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Comments: 12
-
Buster0122
- Location: Fort William
- Occupation: Submariner
- Interests: Running across scary ridges, wildcamping and scrambling.
- Activity: Walker
- Place: Kintail
- Member: Mountaineering Scotland
- Ambition: Munro & Corbett round
- Munros: 282
- Corbetts: 8
- Fionas: 5
- Filter reports
- Trips: 1
- Distance: 54 km
- Ascent: 3861m
- Munros: 7
- Joined: Jan 10, 2017
- Last visited: Feb 27, 2024
- Total posts: 8 | Search posts
