Stob Ban

Glen Nevis campsite for the weekend and an opportunity for a run over my favourite hill, Stob Ban in the Mamores. Forecast was for heavy rain all day, got lucky, dry and mostly clear. Got a lift to the Lower Falls car park and set off up the rough path between Stob Ban and Sgurr a'Mhaim, ran bits but a brisk walk for much of the climb up to the ridge, the tops clear as I ascended, ran along the ridge to the rocky climb to Stob Bans airy summit, the clouds rolled in as I climbed, soon on top, not much of a view but good to be there again, a few minutes taking it all in then back down the way I came, the steep rocky descent much easier on the way down, ran along the ridge, looking back the top had cleared again. Jog and walked down the rough path back to the Lower Falls, the forest track bacK to the campsite seemed to be covered in trucks and machines so I ran down the road, 2 1/2 miles of not so nice tarmac, the views were good.

Mamore hill run

Staying in Glen Nevis campsite for a few days, to get to my run on Saturday morning cycled up the glen to the lower falls car park for a loop round a few hills. Mullach Nan Coirean to start accessed via forest roads and trails winding up to the NE ridge, the ridge steep and boggy to start, the gradient eases for a while and a couple of walkers ahead gave me a target to maintain effort as the views open up all round, passed the first walker before the steep rocky climb to the summit the second just before the cairn. Next the undulating traverse to Stob Ban, a few more walkers coming towards me, keep to the top of the crest avoiding the worst of the boulder fields, the final climb slow up through glistening quartzite which contrasts with the red granite of the Mullach. Changed into a thermal base layer to combat the cool breeze and slow pace along the rocky ridges, with some food as well I soon perked up leaving behind ideas of cutting the run short and continued past the wee lochain on the way to Stob Choire a' Mhail and the Devils Ridge to Sgurr a' Mhaim, another quartzite capped hill, plodding up the zig zag stalkers path from the lochain the ridge looked busy with a few small groups of walkers, by the time I got to the ridge it was clear and I had the narrow path to myself. Soon on top of Sgurr a'Mham, stopped for a brief refuel then down the steep NW ridge, a fun descent to start, a twisting scree covered path, the scree fades too soon leaving more bouldery ground, a good workout for the quads, the cycle back to Glen Nevis Campsite thankfully mostly downhill.

Mellantee, Half Way Lochain and the Ben from Mullach Nan Coirean

Ridge to Stob Ban from the Mullach

The Devils Ridge and Sgurr a'Mhaim from Stob Ban

Mullach Nan Coirean from Stob Ban

Lochain Coire Nam Miseach

Stob Ban from the Devils Ridge

Glen Nevis from Sgurr a'Mhaim

Mullach Nan Coirean and Stob Ban

Friday evening run in the Mamores, to avoid a 6 am start to pick up my youngest son near Inverness at 10 on Saturday morning I drove to Fort William after work on Friday. This would mean a more civilised 8 am start. Arrived at Glen Nevis camp site about 5pm, quick tent pitch and drove up to Achriabach. Started running up the track beside the river, dark clouds appeared over the hills in front and rain started to pour down, hoping it was a quick shower kept going for a few minutes then stopped to put jacket and hat on. Took a wrong turn on a forest road and ended up on the old path now covered in fir tree branches after the forest had been cleared, 10 minutes of slippery trudge to get through it and reach the steep path that climbs up beside the fence. Probably another 20 minutes of effort to reach the ridge. A short run to the bottom of the rocky summit cone and another walk to the top.

View from Mullach summit towards the rest of the Mamores, Stob Ban right, Sgurr A'Mhaom left

The rain had stopped and cloud cover clear of the tops meant good views, only time for one more hill tonight, Stob Ban, a wee favourite, running easily along the ridge felt good, taking in the views, not another soul around.

Stob Ban from the ridge from the Mullach

View from Stob Ban back to the Mullach

Last wee climb to the top of Stob Ban

Over a couple of rocky parts, nice and slow, soon on the last wee climb up the quartzite rocks to the summit cairn. The exit point a few yards down the hill, slowly and carefully again down the rocky path.

Sgurr A'Mhaim and the Devils ridge from Stob Ban

Glen Nevis from the top of the ridge to#wards Sgurr A'Mhaim

Looking back to Stob Ban

Soon on the grassy ridge running towards the stalkers path back to Achriabach.

Stob Ban's crags

Easy run down the twisty path overlooked by Stob Bans stunning rocky face and beside some nice waterfalls to finish back at Achriabach in about 3 1/2 hours. Time lapse here.