walkhighlands

A Gem Hidden Amongst Giants

Route: Beinn Maol Chaluim, from Glen Etive

Corbetts: Beinn Maol Chaluim

Date walked: 09/04/2019

Time taken: 4 hours

Distance: 8.5km

Ascent: 850m

We parked at the south end of the clearing near the “Don’t feed the deer” sign, where, of course there were three cars worth of people feeding the deer. The first challenge of the ascent was to get the dogs past the deer and despite my worst fears this was accomplished quickly and quietly. Extra treats for the pups for that one - although it could be because the deer are 3 times the size of the ones in our local woods.
We took the faint path leading left to right up round some crags and the zig-zagged up through alternating boggy and bone-dry ground. From here, there is a great view of the valley between the Buachailles.
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U Bend Valley

The undulating, hummocky ridge then heads to a rise from which a prominent rock band is visible. This was passed on the left and a pull up brings you to the top at 848m, from which the ridge to the summit is laid out ahead on what seems, after the ascent so far, an almost level ridge. The views from here onwards are fantastic all around but it’s the south wall of Bidean that provides an amazing, rarely seen backdrop.
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Backside o’ Bidean

A few ups and downs soon brings you to the double cairned summit. We then sauntered back along the ridge enjoying views right along the length of Glen Etive.
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View down Glen Etive

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View north. There’s a golden eagle just below the ridge to the left of Stob an Broige

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Not the way down

On descent, just before the first minor crag, we came too far to the south and ended up coming down a very steep slope, one hand holding onto the dogs, the other hanging on to the burnt remnants of a deer fence. Not recommended. If Stob Dubh looks like this then you need to be further to the left/north.
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Not the best way down.



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Jawnee’s view: Excellent hill which would receive a lot more attention if it were 10 metres higher. Scenery is fantastic both near and far. Almost all of the ascent is done on reaching point 848, leaving you to take in the magnificent surroundings as you stroll along the summit ridge. Oh, and if you leave your telephoto lens sitting at home expect eagles to swoop and soar, back and forth, right in front of your eyes.

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Distance: 24km
Ascent: 1060m
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Attachment(s) Corbetts: Benvane
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Ascent: 680m
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Attachment(s) Corbetts: Ben Tirran
Date walked: 23/01/2019
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Ascent: 660m
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Attachment(s) Munros: Ben More, Stob Binnein
Date walked: 07/03/2016
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Ascent: 1350m
Comments: 2
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Attachment(s) Munros: Ben Lomond
Date walked: 03/03/2010
Distance: 11.5km
Ascent: 960m
Views: 1708

Jawnee


Activity: Wanderer
Pub: FBI Ullapool
Mountain: Buachaille Etive Mor
Place: West Highlands
Gear: ScarpaManta boots
Member: None
Camera: Sony A6000
Ideal day out: Ridge with scrambling-diff rock

Munros: 282
Corbetts: 57
Fionas: 7
Donalds: 28
Wainwrights: 10
Hewitts: 4
Sub 2000: 7



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Statistics

2019

Trips: 4
Distance: 50.5 km
Ascent: 3250m
Corbetts: 4

2016

Trips: 1
Distance: 9 km
Ascent: 1350m
Munros: 2

2010

Trips: 1
Distance: 11.5 km
Ascent: 960m
Munros: 1


Joined: Feb 15, 2019
Last visited: May 19, 2023
Total posts: 7 | Search posts