Sgurr nam Fiannaidh

Staying at Invercoe campsite for a couple of nights and took the chance to run up the munro overlooking from the end of the Aonach Eagach ridge, just along from the Pap of Glencoe, I had been up the Pap a couple of times and this looked interesting with hopefully some views to the famous ridge it sat at the end of. A mile or so of trails to the start of the climb, a series of steep ramps with a few flatter runnable bits in between, another hot sunny day, a welcome cooling breeze eventually kicked in about half way up. the same path to the two hills splits at a large cairn, the path to the munro twists and turns through scree and rocks, arriving at the top visible from below reveals another couple of higher tops along the ridge, mostly runnable as long as you don't look at the views. Sheltered behind a large circular cairn at the top , views along the ridge, across the glen to the Bidean massive, on the other side the Mamores with Nevis and CMD sitting behind. Turned to start the run back and stunning views down Loch Leven to the Ballachulish Bridge and surrounding hills opens up. Took it easy on the descent, steep, rocky and gritty good training for Nevis in a couple of weeks.

Buchaille Etive Mor and Stob Dubh

Set off from the Vale about 7:00 am for a run over the 2 Buchles or as far as we could get in the daylight. Parked at the end of the Lairig Gartain, started running about 9, along the road to Altnafeadh and the track for Coire na Tulaich. Picked our way up the bouldery corrie trail, easy going until the last 100 feet onto steeper ice and snow covered ground, needed some encouragement to "follow the footprints" and made it safely to the ridge! On the ridge it's a short jog up to the multiple tops of Stob Dearg and a break to take in the airy views to Glencoe below.

Buchaille Etive More has 4 tops, the two at either end are Munro's. Off we went along the stunning snowy ridge, our luck was in, the cloud was off the tops, only a slight breeze with snow cover just about perfect for running.

Stob na Doire left, Stob Coire Altruim behind right

Stob na Doire first, a wee bit icy towards the top, the zig zag path taking the sting out the climb, dropped off the other side and past the path that would take us back in to the glen. 

Stob Corie Altruim right and Stob na Broige back left from Stob Na Doire

Glen Etive Cloud Machine

Stob Coire Altruim next, a minor top, only a few minutes climb through some patches of drifting snow on the way up. 

On the way to Stob Na Broige

Stob na Broige soon comes into view. Good fun running along the ridge, the last wee climb not as steep as it looked and we were soon on the last top of the Big Buchle where we stopped for a refuel and to take in the superb 360 degree views.

Looking back along the ridge to Stob Dearg

Loch Etive

The Bidean nam Bian massif from Stob  na Broige

Wee Buchle Ridge - next

Cooling down quickly with the lack of effort we set off back along the ridge over Stob Coire Altruim to the exit col for the Lairig Gartain below, took the lowest exit point which turned out to be a bit slow and scrambly as we picked our way through some rocks. The higher snowy path would likely have been easier. Slabby rocks about half way down again slowing our descent. Climbed up to the Wee Buchles ridge following a path that disappeared into mud towards the top. 

Stob Coire Altruim from the Wee Buchle ridge

Stob Dubh's top at the end of the ridge

Along the ridge first an unnamed  top with about 200m of ascent, then a run along an undulating ridge to a steeper than expected looking climb to Stob Dubh .Great running again and the climb not as steep as it looked!

Arriving at the top as the sun was setting

A wee break to take in the views then back along the ridge before the light failed, it felt wrong to leave this place but we wouldn't be able to take in the last munro, Stob Coire Raineach, that's saved for another day! Descending back into the Lairig Gartain the sky fades with pale blues and pinks as darkness fell while we jogged back to the car.

A few more pictures here from our grand day out, 13 miles, 5500' of ascent in 7 1/2 hours, with Lindsay Cunningham.  

Glencoe to Kinlochleven

Slept for 12 hours after yesterdays excitement. Forecast better later and took my time leaving as I hoped to do part of the "real" Aonach Eagach ridge today. Followed the WHW to the top of the Devils Staircase then left along the ridge, the plan was 4th top then back along the ridge to a drop off towards Kinlochleven. Easy run along the WHW past the new Kingshouse Hotel construction and Buchaille Etive Mor looking good across the road.

Up the Devils Staircase and along the broad grassy ridge to the first couple of tops, good views all round.

Looking down into Coire Gabhail, the lost valley.

The next tops capped with dark clouds and after yesterdays detour decided to drop off via Sron a Choire Odhair bhig and rejoin the WHW for the last mile or so. Short day today, finished in about 3 1/2 hours. More pictures here.

Bridge of Orchy to Glencoe

Last nights hope of a clear day turned out to be false, set off for the Clach Leathad Traverse from the Bridge of Orchy Bunkhouse about 9:30 along the WHW to Victoria Bridge, there the route goes up over the hills above Black Mount, should have been Stob Gabhar, Clach Leathad and Meall a Bhuiridh, low cloud and switching off my GPS as I left Stob Gabhar meant I took a wrong turn and came out in Glen Etive, very scenic but left with a long road run to get to the Glencoe Ski Centre where my bag was being left.

Turned left along the farm road to the Old Schoolhouse then up the trail beside the Allt Toaig into Coire Toaig. Past Corein Lochain and up into the mist over the Aonach Eagach ridge to Stob Gabhar.

From there managed to come down Sron a Ghearrain instead of Aonach Mor. Met a few deer and a lot of frogs. I realised where I was and decided to continue down to Glen Etive instead of the turning back and up to try and find Aonach Mor.

Following a series of scenic rivers and glens down to Glen Etive, these might not be there much longer, hydro schemes are proposed for this  and another two or three similar glens nearby. Very scenic run back up the glen, an extra hour or so running on tarmac to finish in just over 7 hours wasn't what I needed. More pictures here.

Bidean nam Bian

Have driven past many times pausing to admire the view, came up about mid day and stopped for a run. Up through the hidden valley to Stob Coire Sgreamach, back across to Bidean nam Bian, the return over Stob Coire nan Lochain and down Coire nan Lochain. Good paths all the way, some erosion on the way out the hidden valley at the steeper bits and similar on the drop off Bidean.

Great views over the Aonach Eagach to the Ben, down loch Etive and over the Ballachulish bridge, mountains for miles.

Running into Coire nan Lochain unusual for a herd of deer to be hanging around, became clearer as I got closer I could see a Stag standing on its own about 50 yards from the herd, got up to about 20 yards when  realised it was injured, damaged leg.

Ran past and down the glen to finish just over 4 hours. More pictures here.