After a very enjoyable but easy walk up Ben A'an with friends on the Saturday, I was looking for something a little tastier the following day. Iain had expressed an interest in heading out but was proving a stubborn customer the night before and in need of lots of subtle enticing to lure him out!

"No bother we can have a later start and still get a good walk in."

"Aye we can do something fairly close but still spectacular."

"No stress, we don't even need to decide where to go tonight, we can let our gut guide us tomorrow and decide then."

The no pressure approach worked, Iain was round to pick me up at 9am, a fairly late start for a winter Sunday especially as we had made no plans but I had a few things in mind. Having been north and slightly east of Glasgow the day before I suggested we head up Loch Lomond to see if anything came to mind. On approach to the Tarbet tearoom I suggested we discuss things further over breakfast.

Although unprepared with planning, I still had plenty of GPX routes saved that we could do for most of the surrounding hills, however, from Ben A'an the day before the Arrochar hills had looked superb and with just one Corbett left to do there I felt an urge to visit. Stob Coire Creagach was not too far along the road from here, A Corbett so a decent climb, a short walk up from Butterbridge, a nice ridge to explore, snow on the route, we were both now salivating over breakfast and possibilities for the day ahead. Our gut feelings said yes, this is the one!

With confirmation finally made for our latest adventure and only the crushing disappointment of the Tarbet Tearoom having run out of Empire Biscuits to deal with, we were soon passing Arrochar, Ardgartan then heading up Glen Croe past Rest and be thankful to the start of the walk at Butterbridge. Out target was dead ahead as we passed Loch Restil:
Stob Coire Creagach (1) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

There were a few other vehicles already parked including two guys getting ready to set off. Handy I said, they can show us the route as the one I have looks like the WH one but more direct, it could have been an older one. Then the two guys set off in the direction of Beinn Ime!

Ah well we love a little bit of exploration and route finding plus we wanted to walk more of the ridge so planned to veer right as there were several options for routes up onto it.

Target up ahead:
Stob Coire Creagach (2) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Over to the left is Binnein an Fhidhleir our final destination and also a Hundred Metre Prominence (HuMP) but only just:
Stob Coire Creagach (4) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We set off along the road to the start of Glen Kinglas taking in Beinn Ime and Beinn Luibhean:
Stob Coire Creagach (5) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Ime in particular was looking good in the morning light:
Stob Coire Creagach (6) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The grassy and bonus boggy path leading uphill which will then go right towards the gulley in the crags:
Stob Coire Creagach (7) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It was a steep start and instant warm-up, nothing wrong with that as the views come quickly including Ben Donich behind us:
Stob Coire Creagach (10) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn an Lochain too, it's hard to find a bad angle of it!
Stob Coire Creagach (12) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The path then headed towards the crags:
Stob Coire Creagach (13) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

As we got closer a lone walker descended down the narrow channel towards us, definitely going the right way then!
Stob Coire Creagach (16) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We reached the bottom as the waliker approached, taking a few mores snaps of the ever improving pointy view behind us:
Stob Coire Creagach (17) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Luibhean:
Stob Coire Creagach (18) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The walker passed and we exchanged pleasantries. I asked about how easy the path was to find from here on and he said fine, just follow the footsteps in the snow. On we went, now looking back down from in the crags:
Stob Coire Creagach (20) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Atop the crags the path twisted around a few more rocks and up onto a plateau, reminding us both of Beinn Bhuidhe but on a much smaller scale. As the Munro is a similar shape and angle behind the ridge the more we thought about it the more we would see the similarities between Stob Coire Creagach and its big brother. We could also see up Glen Kinglas to Ben More:
Stob Coire Creagach (21) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

It was a bit chillier up here as a wrapped up Iain shows while taking pics of Beinn Corranach and Beinn Ime. Although this was my last main Arrochar hill I still have plenty of tops and routes to explore:
Stob Coire Creagach (22) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking along three glens to Sgiath Chuil:
Stob Coire Creagach (23) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I make no excuses for the excessive number of Beinn an Lochain photos in this walk report, I love it and it looks great from this angle!
Stob Coire Creagach (24) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The footprints in the snow seem to have eluded us by now and we assessed our options. We could veer left and head towards those difficult looking crags directly towards the summit in the hope of finding the path again, or there may be other options...
Stob Coire Creagach (25) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

On closer inspection it didn't look like the easy route:
Stob Coire Creagach (26) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We continued along the tundra as the view north east improved and Meall Glas, Beinn nan Eachan of Meall nan Tarmachan, An Caisteal and others came into view:
Stob Coire Creagach (27) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stob Coire Creagach (28) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We both had the same idea and would head towards the snowy gulleys to the right of the summit. I was itching to use the ice axe and it looked much more preferable to finding a way up cold, wet, slippy crags. The snow was fairly soft so we would assess the ice situation when we got closer to see if we needed crampons too:
Stob Coire Creagach (30) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Gorgeous:
Stob Coire Creagach (31) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We wanted a late start, easy walk and something spectacular - so far it was delivering!
Stob Coire Creagach (32) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Cnoc Coinnich and Ben Donich:
Stob Coire Creagach (33) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Our route through the tundra was easy and ascended gradually, shown in wide angle to appreciate the surroundings:
Stob Coire Creagach (34) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

After discussing some potential scrambling routes up here for summer, we stopped to assess our options, snowy gulley one on the left or Coire Creagach on the right:
Stob Coire Creagach (36) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

On the map the countours to the first route showed an easier initial ascent but it looked a lot steeper near the top, while on the right it looked more gradual overall. We decided it made the most sense for a safer final ascent up onto the ridge.

At that moment we got confirmation of our decision as I spotted movement, is that someone coming down... it's a deer! It had clocked us and was heading up the slope and with it no doubt taking the path of least resistance to escape us we took it as a sign!

Now in Coire Creagach bearing right to the start of the steep snowy slope, looking north east again as we go:
Stob Coire Creagach (37) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We reached the bottom of the slope and detached our ice axes. It wasn't icey and the slope didn't look ridiculously steep, snow wasn't avalanche risk deep but deep enough for good purchase. I popped the DSLR into my rucksack since I was going to need full concentration and no distractions strapped to me

I went first and zig-zagged a route of least resistance up the slope while using the axe for support on the slope side, switching hand as I changed direction, it was exhilarating and despite the effort of the steep slope it was quite easy and over too quickly!

One of Iain's photos from behind, looking up!


At a slightly flatter part three quarters of the way up it was safe enough to take a photo of Iain in action, although the shot doesn't properly show the drop behind us as it bends down and around the crag behind us, I am looking down though!
Stob Coire Creagach (38) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

This is the life, I was loving some proper winter mountaineering!
Stob Coire Creagach (40) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stob Coire Creagach (41) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Must get out in snow more often:
Stob Coire Creagach (42) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stob Coire Creagach (43) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We reached the ridge and were greeted with the delightful view of Ben Cruachan and the massive bulk of Beinn Bhuidhe, a cracking beast of a mountain!
Stob Coire Creagach (44) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We were on cloud 9 and enjoyed a breather while taking photos:
Stob Coire Creagach (45) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Ben Cruachan:
Stob Coire Creagach (50) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Bhuidhe:
Stob Coire Creagach (51) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stob Coire Creagach (52) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking north to Ben Lui and co.:
Stob Coire Creagach (53) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Little and large, Beinn a' Chleibh and Ben Lui:
Stob Coire Creagach (54) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

To the far north east are Ben Oss, Beinn Dubhcraig with Creag Mhor and Beinn Sheasgarnaich in the background and twin-topped Ben Challum on the right:
Stob Coire Creagach (55) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

In the other direction along the ridge was Binnein an Fhidhleir:
Stob Coire Creagach (56) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

First on the agenda was Stob Coire Creagach East Top just a short distance away:
Stob Coire Creagach (57) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We stop for a few snaps on the summit, admiring the view over to the other Arrochar Alps. We had been discussing them and wondering what it must be like coming south from Inverness if you stay up there and seeing the Cobbler for the first time. We definitely take it for granted since it can be so popular but it is a stunning mountain. We decide this is Beinn Ime's best side, in fact it's a brilliant viewpoint and we're well chuffed with it so far:
Stob Coire Creagach (58) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Now that I was on the way to finishing the main Marilyns there I was reminiscing about earlier walks like my first solo outing up Ben Arthur in the snow; Beinn an Lochain of course having had a failed attempt at it previously; Ben Donich with Iain and several outings up Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime; Ben Vane; Cnoc Coinnich and The Brack with Michele on chilly winter days; Ben Vorlich which I thoroughly enjoyed solo and most recently Ben Luibhean. Every one a cracker in their own way and in all sorts of conditions in all seasons.

Looking over to the parent peak:
Stob Coire Creagach (61) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Pointy ridge land in winter, you can't beat it:
Stob Coire Creagach (62) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Another video from the summit of the East Top in which you can see it was a bit more exposed and chilly now we were high up on the ridge:
Stob Coire Creagach (62.5) VID_20200119_124840 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/2ijia9C

Since we are at one end I take some close ups of our neighbours, Ben Vorlich:
Stob Coire Creagach (63) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Ben Vane:
Stob Coire Creagach (64) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Corranach, one top I still have to explore:
Stob Coire Creagach (65) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Ime, the best side:
Stob Coire Creagach (66) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

That was just the snow line and tops, they are bigger than they appear:
Stob Coire Creagach (67) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Ben Arthur inbetween Ime and Beinn Luibhean:
Stob Coire Creagach (68) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

While discussing hill angles we decide that Ben Arthur is one where it put all it's effort on the east front while neglecting the other three sides:
Stob Coire Creagach (69) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Luibhean's best side too, what a great ridge viewpoint we're on:
Stob Coire Creagach (70) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Sunlight was reflecting off Loch Restil and The Brack was in view too:
Stob Coire Creagach (71) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We left the East Top and set off up the snowy slopes to the summit of Stob Coire Creagach:
Stob Coire Creagach (72) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

East Top and distant big hills including Meall nan Tarmachan, Beinn Ghlas and Beinn Lawers in the middle on to Ben More, Stob Binnein and An Caisteal in front of it on the right:
Stob Coire Creagach (74) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Another one of Iain's photos as we approach the summit:


It's quite frozen up here today:
Stob Coire Creagach (76) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

You can make out our ascent route between the top and Iain:
Stob Coire Creagach (78) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Almost there, we were following the tracks of other humans and a few canine companions:
Stob Coire Creagach (79) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stob Coire Creagach (80) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back:
Stob Coire Creagach (82) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We reach the frozen cairn at the summit, we've done it in spectacular fashion and the view is outstanding, what a way to finish the Arrochar Alps, ascend Corbett 19 and also Marilyn 100 which I had been thinking about for weeks prior to the walk then completely forgot about until later on in the evening!
Stob Coire Creagach (83) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We take some summit shots and decide we'll not stop for lunch yet as it's baltic!
Stob Coire Creagach (84) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stob Coire Creagach (85) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

A look along the ridge to Creag Bhrosgan and Binnein an Fhidhleir:
Stob Coire Creagach (86) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Glorious:
Stob Coire Creagach (88) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Summit video:
Stob Coire Creagach (89.5) VID_20200119_131424 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/2ijib1T

Iain takes a pic of me to mark the occasion:
Stob Coire Creagach (90) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Conscious of the sun moving across the sky we set off along the snowy ridge:
Stob Coire Creagach (92) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Pyramid an Lochain will remain the centre of attention as we proceed:
Stob Coire Creagach (93) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Apart from the guy at the start we hadn't seen anyone else so far and we're loving that we have such alpine escapism on our doorstep:
Stob Coire Creagach (94) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The dip between the summit and Creag Bhrosgan, Luss Grahams visible far back left and Beinn Bheula, one on my radar for a walk soon, far back right:
Stob Coire Creagach (95) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Iain asks if we're summiting Creag Bhrosgan, I'm not too fussed so we don't commit, instead bypassing it to head for the cairn past the top. Sometimes it's good to leave something new to explore on a cracking hill that you want to revisit in summer, even if we went within feet of the summit!

It's a great viewpoint at the cairn though as we look south west to Beinn an t-Seilich, Stob an Eas and Loch Fyne:
Stob Coire Creagach (96) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Arran coming into view then Beinn Bheula along from it and the rocky looking HuMP Beinn an t-Seilich, Stob an Eas back right is the parent Graham summit:
Stob Coire Creagach (97) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I had my telephoto lens in my rucksack but with another section still to climb a brisk wind making it cold and difficult to keep a long, zoomed in lens steady without a tripod, 55mm would have to suffice for a closer look back home:
Stob Coire Creagach (98) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Binnein an Fhidhleir summit up ahead:
Stob Coire Creagach (99) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We had reached the start of the steep ascent shown on the right in the photo above when all of a sudden out of nowhere a couple of dogs followed by a walker appeared around us! We were slightly spooked as we had no idea we were being followed and said as much but it turned out the guy had seen us only once or twice just briefly and we both kept dipping in and out of view of ech other as we walked along the ridge!

The dogs were friendly and absolutely loving it especially the wee terrier surprisingly and after saying he was with a few others that were further back, they set off up the slope ahead of us:
Stob Coire Creagach (100) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Now Iain and I are considered fast walkers, just ask Michele and a few others, but this guy motored on ahead of us at a blistering pace!

Left in the wake of snowy footprints:
Stob Coire Creagach (102) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Flying up the slope ahead of us:
Stob Coire Creagach (103) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We suddenly felt a little knackered and unfit so upped our pace a little for the final section to the summit:
Stob Coire Creagach (104) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Setting sun colours were showing as we got a good view south to Goatfell and Caisteal Abhail along with the Cowal hills:
Stob Coire Creagach (105) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The guy and dogs passed us having wasted little time at the top. Trig point coming into view, almost there:
Stob Coire Creagach (106) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Summit approach video:
Stob Coire Creagach (106.5) VID_20200119_135513 by Chris Mac, on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/2iji8KW

When it comes to ridge viewpoints this one is right up there, both ends:
Stob Coire Creagach (107) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stob Coire Creagach (108) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

South west over Loch Fyne towards Jura:
Stob Coire Creagach (110) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We could just make out the Paps:
Stob Coire Creagach (111) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Unfortunately Ben Cruachan was now playing hide and seek to the north west:
Stob Coire Creagach (112) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

As was Beinn Bhuidhe:
Stob Coire Creagach (113) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

North east, getting a bit cloudier and murky:
Stob Coire Creagach (114) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The central Arrochar massif:
Stob Coire Creagach (116) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

South east:
Stob Coire Creagach (117) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

From here you get a good look over at the main ascent ridge of Beinn an Lochain, if only there was more of it!
Stob Coire Creagach (118) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking over the ridge to Glen Croe:
Stob Coire Creagach (120) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Iain was glad he came out to play today!
Stob Coire Creagach (122) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Looking back along the ridge, did we really just do all of that in just under 3 hours?! Still a matter of getting down safely of course:
Stob Coire Creagach (123) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We spot stick figure movement way down below, looks like the guy and his two dogs has met his friends and is now speeding off back to the summit and path down, he's a machine:
Stob Coire Creagach (124) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I can see the van from here:
Stob Coire Creagach (125) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Although still going strong on our hearty breakfast, I'm also fuelled by Jelly Babies, we decided we should probably get going and eat lunch back at the van to ensure we're not descending down steep snowy crags by headtorch although there are others behind us so we will probably be fine:
Stob Coire Creagach (126) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Just up from the section where we met the guy we bump into his two female walker friends and enjoy a good blether. They also have a dog but it seems edgey and growls a tad at us, secretly upsetting Iain who demands nothing but 100% love and affection from all dogs he meets on the hills, we were both disappointed!

We jest about Speedy Gonzalez and wish them well as we make our way down, ice axes again proving useful for support during a steep snowy descent.

He's almost there already as I zoom in on his final ascent back up Stob Coire Creagach. Those two dogs will sleep tonight!
Stob Coire Creagach (127) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Behind us we can make out the two women and growly dog ascending up the slopes to the right on the way to the summit of Binnein an Fhidhleir:
Stob Coire Creagach (128) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The Pyramid returns, we continue to give Creag Bhrosgan the blank as we pass by ignoring it, although I sneak in a quick pic and tell it not to worry, we'll be back!
Stob Coire Creagach (130) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I want to stay up here:
Stob Coire Creagach (131) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Past the sub-simm, another reason we left it, only hill-bagging maniacs and weasels bag summits like that!
Stob Coire Creagach (132) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We stop at the cairn again briefly then just past it spot the snowy footsteps and begin to follw them down:
Stob Coire Creagach (133) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Almost immediately we are met with a pretty steep and snowy gulley and proceed with caution, again using the ice axe for maximum support and balance. Slow and steady wins the race, luckily the soft snow made it relatively straightforward. Iain took a photo of me starting the descent:


At the bottom of the steep summit descent, the slope behind Iain giving another indication of the gradient:
Stob Coire Creagach (134) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

While still above the snow line we continued the descent and I relished the photo opportunities:
Stob Coire Creagach (135) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

The worst of it over we agree that our way up Coire Creagach with ice axes was much easier and we wouldn't fancy heading up this way in snow if given the choice again.

Meanwhile, the walk and view was still delivering:
Stob Coire Creagach (136) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Time to head right a bit:
Stob Coire Creagach (137) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Back down to the grassy tundra again:
Stob Coire Creagach (138) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

With the main path taking us away from our target and off-piste snowy rambling the order of the day, we opt for the more direct descent back to the van:
Stob Coire Creagach (139) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

We go down then slightly right following the burn:
Stob Coire Creagach (140) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Snow slowly vanishing but we kept the ice axes in hand as they were also useful for the grassy descent down the burn we were following when it got a little steeper:
Stob Coire Creagach (141) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Approaching the crest off of the high up plateau of Stob Coire Creagach/Binnein an Fhidhleir for the final downhill section while the sun sets:
Stob Coire Creagach (142) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

I'd like to say this was an emotional moment for me having just finished this grand set of hills but instead I was buzzing with joy and excited like a kid after a big day playing and exploring in a massive outdoor play park:
Stob Coire Creagach (143) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Iain ahead of me on another steeper section:
Stob Coire Creagach (144) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Luibhean in full glory:
Stob Coire Creagach (146) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn Ime:
Stob Coire Creagach (147) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Beinn an Lochain:
Stob Coire Creagach (148) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

At the bottom of the slope it turned out to be the worst terrain of the day, big holes, stumps and tussocks, a good few fences to climb over, we were in Marilyn bagger territory all of a sudden as Iain found out to his displeasure, discovering a hidden bog in amongst all this as well!
Stob Coire Creagach (149) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

He wasn't happy "after all that, I find the bog at the end and get a soaked leg!"

Well I did tell him at the start to put on gaiters like I did.

We made it, one more fence to hurdle then a ditch to jump, being careful we didn't end up in traffic as we landed!

Looking back up, not as much snow as this morning, definitely some melt lower down:
Stob Coire Creagach (150) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Stob Coire Creagach, it has been an absolute pleasure:
Stob Coire Creagach (151) by Chris Mac, on Flickr

Back at the van we de-packed and changed then the two guys who had set off just before us arrived back. I popped over to say hi and enquired as to where they went. Beinn Ime was the reply, to beat the ridiculous parking charges around the other side! Quite right too, they showed me the route they took as I said I fancied it from this side too then told them what we had done before saying cheerio.

We don't often sit and plan how we're going to walk a group of hills in advance, or which one you'll finish on. However if given the chance to do it all again from the start, I would probably still have chosen this hill, company and conditions to finish the Arrochar Alps on.

I say finish but i'm nowhere near finished exploring this wonderful area yet. As I have digested all of this over the last week whlie sorting out my many photos, I also discovered the wonderful http://www.arrocharheritage.com/index.htm website and have thoroughly enjoyed reading up on some of the early mountaineering history in the area including the character Ben Humble, pioneering mountaineer, mountain rescue founder and skilled wordsmith who loved these hills, especially The Cobbler.

I think it is fitting to finish with an old sketch of the area although one thing is missing from the view from from this side, the brilliant hill we had just been on! Thanks Stob Coire Creagach/Binnein an Fhidhleir, it has been a joy to finish the Arrochar Marilyns with you. See you again soon for some summer scrambling fun!