Tuesday 13 June 2017

Waterfalls on Allt Coire nam Beithach, Glen Coe

Allt Coire nam Beithach from A82 west of Loch Achtriochtan
 
We've driven through Glen Coe countless times, the spectacular scenery never fails to impress...

Glen Coe, Loch Achtriochtan and River Coe - views east
 
Although we've climbed quite a few of the local Munro's and walked some of the low level paths, we've often pointed out the roaring falls, high up on the Allt Coire nam Beithach, taking water off the Bidean nam Bian massif - and said "we must go up there sometime!"

Aonach Dubh and Allt Coire nam Beithach

After several days of rain, it seemed like today would be a good day.

Waterfalls below Aonach Dubh

It was still raining when we set off from the car park by the little bridge to Achnambeithach - but we didn't take the bridge to the house, we crossed the River Coe on the road (A82) and took the boggy path up the west side of the Allt Coire nam Beithach. Waterproofed up, we squelched along.

Loch Achriochtan and Aonach Eagach
in the cloud from ascent into Coire nam Beithach
 
We were pleased to find that the path improved greatly very soon - an excellent pitched path buoyed us up for most of the way.

Waterfalls on Allt Coire nam Beithach

A golden eagle soared over the glen, giving us a great excuse to stop and stare for a few minutes. Gliding above us, resting on the breeze, he eventually took himself off to the north, over the Aonoch Eagach.

It was at that point that we noticed that it had stopped raining - there were even glimpses of brightness. Is that the sun?

Rafe and Jim - Allt Coire nam Beithach

There was a short scambly bit where the path disappeared into a minor crag and a couple of side burns, but it soon reappeared on the other side.

Waterfalls on Allt Coire nam Beithach

The falls were impressive - we got wet!

Jim - waterfalls on Allt Coire nam Beithach
 
Looking back (north) towards Sgorr nam Fiannaidh and Aonach Eagach
 
Waterfalls on Allt Coire nam Beithach
 
Looking north east towards Loch Leven
 
Aonach Eagach above Loch Achtriochtan
 
Allt Coire nam Beithach and Loch Triochtan

We continued along the burn, taking in further falls and rapids - until the ascent started to relent and we could see into Coire nam Beithach - a magnificently secluded glen, surrounded by Bidean's battlements.

Allt Coire nam Beithach towards the threshold of the Coire

But we weren't really equipped to go any further - time to head back and to save the coire for another day.

Stob Coire nan Lochan and Allt Coire nam Beithach

After a bit of an explore, and the taking of many photographs, we headed down, back the way we had come...

Stob Coire nan Lochan and Allt Coire nam Beithach

The views, the hills and the waterfalls were just as outstanding as we descended - the cloud swirling around the tops.

Aonach Eagach from Coire nam Beithach

Waterfalls on Allt Coire nam Beithach

A great short walk - go there...

Allt Coire nam Beithach from our descent back into Glen Coe

Cloud comes in again over Aonach Eagach

And the rain started again as we got back in the car.

Allt Coire nam Beithach

Route:  Car park in Glen Coe (NN138567), on S side of A82 just oppisite Clachaig Inn turnoff), cross River Coe on roadbridge and turn S through gate following W bank of Allt Coire nam Beithach to waterfalls and into Coire nam Beithach, return to start.

Statistics:  Distance: 2.5km  Ascent: 300m  Time: 2 hours

Map:  OS Explorer 384 Glen Coe & Glen Etive

Saturday 3 June 2017

Loch Maree Paddle


A day on Loch Maree...


We set off from Slatterdale under grey skies - with a forecast of heavy showers and periods of bright sunshine, but little or no wind.


The forecast was spot on.


We headed north around Eilean Ruairidh Mor, before winding our way south east amongst Loch Maree's beautiful islands, across to the north shore, had a short walk across Isle Maree, before heading west and north again, back to Slatterdale.


We were lucky enough to see black throated divers as well as a golden eagle - possibly the same fellow we saw last week on Beinn Alligin...




A great day on the water.
















Glen Docherty from Loch Maree

On Isle Maree - wishing tree

On Isle Maree - wishing tree

Isle Maree graveyard








Another shower coming in

Heading back towards Slatterdale

Beinn Bhrotain and Monadh Mor

Setting off from Glen Feshie - it was chilly - before the sun had a chance to peep over the hills...  Off we go! Jim - Setting off near Auch...