With Neil on our last day in Oban for 2023. The forecast was a bit driech but to improve.
Neil had done them on Andrew's 18 month birthday during our holiday in Fersit - I collected Andrew from Boat of Garten that day, but was quite happy to do them again, as long as I agreed to the scrambling route - so no lovely (or possibly boggy) stalkers path for me.
We set off back along the road from the Glen Nevis Lower Falls carpark (which had a long drop toilet!) and very quickly went through a gate and up a lovely well made path. We took the small 'hill' sign that pointed us the hill along a great trod - though the grass was long and wet. But the route up was excellent easy walking and we quickly gained height. We then reached the scrambling section and away went the poles.
The scrambling was going well, until we reached a slippy vertical rock. All the indents were too slippy and I was not sure how was going to get up - Neil wedged himself and heaved me up. Not my favourite! But then it was all fine and do-able and we up at the top of the scramble. Phew!
Once on the ridge we joined the main path and then had a rocky ascent on quartz - also not my favourite. It was lovely at the top of Stob Ban, with views between cloud across to the Ring of Steall and the stalkers path. And I got a cup - 6th (and no where near last) for the whole ascent from the road.
We picked our way back down the quartz and then set off along the ridge - we had cloud to the north but great views in the other direction. The ridge was great with interesting chutes and rocks, and the occasional glimpse back to the ridge we had climbed. We were overtaken by 2 runners - at least it wasn't walkers. But it was an easy walk and the pull up to Mullach nan Coirean was easy too.
It had a huge cairn and plenty of mist (so no views) and we did have a moment wondering which way was down in the cloud, but once Neil had had a biscuit his navigational skills were back on form and we set off down the correct ridge!
Initially we stayed high and it was easy going, but as we passed the first stile the route got boggier and steeper. We did a few detours to avoid the worst bog, and finally reached the third stile. Beyond the stile the path was great and it was a lovely woodland walk. Neil had swotted up on the route so we confidently joined the forest road and then left to head downhill to the Glen Nevis road.
Back at the car park we had a quick look at the Lower Falls - no shortage of water - and back to the lovely toilet!
A great day, and a great route choice!