We started from the same car parking area, by the track above Corriechoille, that we used when we walked Stob Ban last year - but the weather was a touch different then, a not insignificant amount of wet snow had to be waded through that day!
Up the track and through a gate and we were soon at the Wee Minister, a cedar wooden replica by Peter Bowsher of a former stone statue that stood on a nearby site. Hopefully he blessed us for our walk today.
The track wound on through the woods and beyond another gate, we came out of the trees - watching for any sign of a path across an open area to our right.
No path to be seen - so we struck out across the tussocky grass, and headed up the shoulder of Beinn Bhan on our way to Stob Coire Gaibhre, our first Munro Top of the day.
It was pretty hard going, a seemingly relentless grassy slope - but as we got higher the views opened up - including Creag Meagaidh and friends and Creag Pitridh and Geal Charn climbed earlier this week.
Being high summer, the grass was full of wildflowers and herbs - including the lovely Grass-of-Parnassus, one I've never seen before.
Eventually we came across a bit of a path! We had been about 20 yards too far west.
Very soon, we were taken up sharp by the eye-popping view across Coire na Ceannain - The Grey Corries - magnificent.
We paused for a moment to take it all in (and to take many pictures) on the summit of Stob Coire Gaibhre (Munro Top 143, 958m)
But we didn't stop for long - the hills were calling (shouting) and we wanted to get up there.
Upwards into rockier terrain - proper mountain stuff!
We were soon at the summit of Stob Choire Claurigh North Top, (which apparently used to be a Munro Top). The views went on and on: the Grey Corries ridge to the west, rippling into the distance - and to the east, so many hills that we have climbed and so many more still to do.
But most immediately, right in our faces was the sharp pyramid of Stob Coire na Ceannain - it's got to be bagged!
So we headed east, descending into Bealach Coire na Ceannain before climbing quickly up to the very pointy Stob Coire na Ceannain (Munro Top 15, 1123m).
Definitely, definitely worth the effort!
Once we had taken in the panorama from the very eastern end of the Grey Corries (and had a little marvel that we were in that place at that time), we retraced our steps, returning to Stob Choire Claurigh North Top - time for first lunch.
Onwards to the ridge - the pictures say it all...
Very soon the views included Aonach Beag, Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis...
Do you remember those other walkers we could see, tiny in the distance, ahead of us on our climb towards Stob Choire Claurigh North Top?
We met up with them in Bealach Coire Easain - It was the same couple we had bumped into on our very wet walk last Monday up Creag Pitridh, in Bealach Leamhain - all of us bailing due to the rubbish weather! Bit better today! - and it's a small world...
On the summit of Sgurr Choinnich Mor (Munro 52, 1094m) we looked onward to Sgurr Choinnich Beag ahead - another kilometre and several hundred metres of ascent and re-ascent - we and the dog (poor old Rafie) were just too tired. We still had to return to Stob Coire Easain and then descend to the car - that Munro Top would just have to wait for another day.
We headed back east into Bealach Coire Easain, with its mountain namesake ahead - it was the hardest climb of the day - the second ascent of Stob Coire Easain.
Definitely time for a rest and a third (or possibly fourth) lunch.
Time to head down - with just one more Munro Top to bag on the way - Beinn na Socaich (Munro Top 76, 1007m).
We were soon off the rocks and onto the grass - lovely on those sore feet and paws!
It really doesn't take long to lose all that hard earned height gained - we were soon in Coire an Eas Ban, aiming for the dam and small reservoir on the Allt Choimhlidh.
It was a bit a chew getting Rafie over the ladder stile by the dam, but his reward was a plodge in the burn.
It was the usual faff in the woods of the Leanachan Forest - there had been some felling and some new tracks had been put through the forest - and we didn't want to make a wrong turn and have to do any extra walking (we really were quite tired and footsore!) We knew we were heading in the right direction (east) so we were going to come out on the track where the car was parked at some point!
But we needn't have worried, we were on the right track and pretty soon we came out of the woods and the car was a welcome sight.
Once the boots were off, we could look back on an amazing day - sore feet are soon forgotten but blue skies and mountain tops are remembered forever...
Route: Small car parking area on unsurfaced track 1km S of Coire Choille Farm (NN253794), continue S on tack through deer gate into The Lairg woods and past the Wee Minister (NN257787), at the S end of the woods, pass through 2 gates and turn R (W), around the small square enclosure and follow tree line until past the crags to the E, then ascend S over open hillside (intermittent path) to Beinn Bhan (843m), E to Stob Coire na Gaibhre (Munro Top 143, 958m), S over Bealach Coire na Ceannain (sh 924m), continue S to Stob Coire Claurigh North Top (1121m, NN263743), E to Stob Coire na Ceannain (Munro Top 15, 1123m), return W to Stob Coire Claurigh North Top (1121m), SW to Stob Coire Claurigh (Munro 15, 1177m), SW to Stob a'Choire Leith (Munro Top 24, 1105m), SW to Stopb Coire Cath na Sine (Munro Top 34, 1079m), W to Caisteal (Munro Top 23, 1106m), W to Stob Coire an Laoigh (Munro 39, 1116m), NW to Stob Coire Easain (Munro Top 33, 1080m), SW to Sgurr Choinnich Mor (Munro 52, 1094m), return NE to Stob Coire Easain, N to Beinn na Socaich (Munro Top 76, 1007m), continue to descend N along ridge and then NNE along open hillside to small reservoir on Allt Coire Chiomhlidh (NN239765), cross burn just S of this reservoir and walk N along E shore of reservoir and over ladder stile, continue roughly S following track to NN237777, sp here points S to Spean Bridge, instead turn R (NE) and continue on main track through woods, there are several new turnings not shown on current OS or HSW maps, stick to main track roughly NE and this comes out of woods 200m W of start point.
 |
| The Wee Minister and Rafe - near the start of the walk |
Up the track and through a gate and we were soon at the Wee Minister, a cedar wooden replica by Peter Bowsher of a former stone statue that stood on a nearby site. Hopefully he blessed us for our walk today.
 |
| Looking back (N) down the track in the Lairig forestry plantation |
The track wound on through the woods and beyond another gate, we came out of the trees - watching for any sign of a path across an open area to our right.
 |
| Turning off the track to start the ascent of Stob Coire Gaibhre (NN262775) |
No path to be seen - so we struck out across the tussocky grass, and headed up the shoulder of Beinn Bhan on our way to Stob Coire Gaibhre, our first Munro Top of the day.
 |
| Grass-of -Parnassus - on the damp grassy ascent of Stob Coire Gaibhre |
It was pretty hard going, a seemingly relentless grassy slope - but as we got higher the views opened up - including Creag Meagaidh and friends and Creag Pitridh and Geal Charn climbed earlier this week.
Being high summer, the grass was full of wildflowers and herbs - including the lovely Grass-of-Parnassus, one I've never seen before.
 |
| Ascent of Stob Coire Gaibhre - views to Loch Arkaig and the Knoydart hills |
 |
| Rafe and Jim - ascent of Stob Coire Gaibhre |
Eventually we came across a bit of a path! We had been about 20 yards too far west.
 |
| Jim - Stob Coire Gaibhre (Munro Top 143, 958m) - views across Coire na Ceannain to Stob Coire na Ceannain |
Very soon, we were taken up sharp by the eye-popping view across Coire na Ceannain - The Grey Corries - magnificent.
 |
| Views east from Stob Coire Gaibhre to the Easains |
We paused for a moment to take it all in (and to take many pictures) on the summit of Stob Coire Gaibhre (Munro Top 143, 958m)
 |
| Rafe - views over Bealach Coire na Ceannain to Stob Choire Claurigh's north ridge with the Grey Corries ridge beyond The are some people on the ridge ahead - tiny in the distance |
But we didn't stop for long - the hills were calling (shouting) and we wanted to get up there.
 |
| Jim and Rafe - ascent of Stob Choire Claurigh's north ridge with Stob Coire na Ceannain above the loch |
 |
| Jim and Rafe - ascent of Stob Choire Claurigh |
Upwards into rockier terrain - proper mountain stuff!
 |
| Stob Coire na Ceannain and Stob Choire Claurigh North Top |
We were soon at the summit of Stob Choire Claurigh North Top, (which apparently used to be a Munro Top). The views went on and on: the Grey Corries ridge to the west, rippling into the distance - and to the east, so many hills that we have climbed and so many more still to do.
But most immediately, right in our faces was the sharp pyramid of Stob Coire na Ceannain - it's got to be bagged!
 |
| Summit of Stob Choire Claurigh North Top (1121m) - views to Stob Coire na Ceannain |
So we headed east, descending into Bealach Coire na Ceannain before climbing quickly up to the very pointy Stob Coire na Ceannain (Munro Top 15, 1123m).
 |
| Jim and Rafe - descent from Stob Choire Claurigh North Top - views east to Stob Coire na Ceannain |
Definitely, definitely worth the effort!
 |
| Jim - ascent of Stob Coire na Ceannain |
 |
| Stob Coire na Ceannain summit (Munro Top 15, 1123m) Views back (W) to Stob Choire Claurigh North Top and the Grey Corries ridge |
Once we had taken in the panorama from the very eastern end of the Grey Corries (and had a little marvel that we were in that place at that time), we retraced our steps, returning to Stob Choire Claurigh North Top - time for first lunch.
 |
| Jim and Rafe - between the North top and Stob Choire Claurigh |
Onwards to the ridge - the pictures say it all...
 |
| Looking back (E) to Stob Choire Claurigh North Top and Stob Coire na Ceannain |
 |
| Rafe gets a helping hand - ascent of Stob Choire Claurigh |
 |
| Jim and Rafe - onward to Stob Choire Claurigh |
 |
| Views west over the Grey Corries to Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis - from ascent of Stob Choire Claurigh |
Very soon the views included Aonach Beag, Aonach Mor and Ben Nevis...
 |
| Rafe and Jim nearing Stob Choire Claurigh |
 |
| Stob Choire Claurigh summit (Munro 15, 1177m) Views west along the Grey Corries ridge to Ben Nevis |
 |
| Jim - views west from Stob Choire Claurigh |
 |
| Looking back (E) over Stob Choire Claurigh |
 |
| Jim and Rafe - Stob a Choire Leith from descent from Stob Choire Claurigh |
 |
| The Grey Corries ridge - Stob a Choire Leith |
 |
| The Grey Corries ridge near Stob a Choire Leith |
 |
| Looking back (E) along the Grey Corries to Stob a Choire Leith and Stob Choire Claurigh |
 |
| Stob Ban from ascent of Stob Coire Cath na Sine |
 |
| Looking back (E) over Stob a Choire Leith and Stob Choire Claurigh from ascent of Stob Coire Cath na Sine |
 |
| Jim and Rafe - ascent of Stob Coire Cath na Sine |
 |
| Stob Coire Cath na Sine (Munro Top 34, 1079m) - views east |
 |
| Binnein Beag and Binnein Mor and friends from Stob Coire Cath na Sine |
 |
| Jim and Rafe - views to Aonach Beag and Ben Nevis over Caisteal - the Grey Corries |
 |
| The Grey Corries and Stob Ban from Stob Coire Cath na Sine |
 |
| Jim and Rafe - ascent of Caisteal with Stob Coire an Laoigh beyond |
 |
| Jim and Rafe near the summit of Caisteal with Stob Coire an Laoigh beyond |
 |
| Looking back to Stob Coire Cath na Sine from ascent of Caisteal |
 |
| Caisteal summit (Munro Top 23, 1106m) |
 |
| Looking back (E) from ascent of Stob Coire an Laoigh |
 |
| Stob Coire an Laoigh summit (Munro 39, 1116m) Jim and Rafie - views to Sgurr Choinnich Mor |
 |
| Rafe and Jim - descent from Stob Coire an Laoigh into Bealach Coire a'Mhadaidh with views to Stob Coire Easain |
 |
| Looking back (E) along the Grey Corries ridge from Bealach Coire a'Mhadaidh |
 |
| Looking back (E) along the Grey Corries ridge from Stob Coire Easain |
 |
| Stob Coire Easain summit (Munro Top 33, 1080m) - views to Sgurr Choinnich Mor |
 |
| Descent from Stob Coire Easain views Sgurr Choinnich Mor |
Do you remember those other walkers we could see, tiny in the distance, ahead of us on our climb towards Stob Choire Claurigh North Top?
We met up with them in Bealach Coire Easain - It was the same couple we had bumped into on our very wet walk last Monday up Creag Pitridh, in Bealach Leamhain - all of us bailing due to the rubbish weather! Bit better today! - and it's a small world...
 |
| Views to Sgurr Choinnich Mor from Bealach Coire Easain |
 |
| Rafe and Jim - ascent of Sgurr Choinnich Mor |
 |
| Ascent of Sgurr Choinnich Mor - views to the Mamores |
 |
| Sgurr Choinnich Mor summit (Munro 52, 1094m) - views west to Aonach Beag |
On the summit of Sgurr Choinnich Mor (Munro 52, 1094m) we looked onward to Sgurr Choinnich Beag ahead - another kilometre and several hundred metres of ascent and re-ascent - we and the dog (poor old Rafie) were just too tired. We still had to return to Stob Coire Easain and then descend to the car - that Munro Top would just have to wait for another day.
 |
| Sgurr Choinnich Mor summit (Munro 52, 1094m) - views back (E) along the Grey Corries ridge |
We headed back east into Bealach Coire Easain, with its mountain namesake ahead - it was the hardest climb of the day - the second ascent of Stob Coire Easain.
 |
| Rafe and Jim - Bealach Coire Easain |
 |
| Jim and Rafe - re-ascent of Stob Coire Easain |
Definitely time for a rest and a third (or possibly fourth) lunch.
 |
| Second ascent of Stob Coire Easain - Jim |
 |
| Rafe ad Jim - descent from Ston Coire Easain to Beinn na Socaich |
Time to head down - with just one more Munro Top to bag on the way - Beinn na Socaich (Munro Top 76, 1007m).
 |
| The Grey Corries ridge from descent to Beinn na Socaich |
We were soon off the rocks and onto the grass - lovely on those sore feet and paws!
 |
| Ascent to Beinn na Socaich - Rafe and Jim |
 |
| Beinn na Socaich summit (Munro Top 76, 1007m) - views back to the Grey Corries ridge |
 |
| Descent from Beinn na Socaich |
 |
| Looking back at the Grey Corries from descent into Coire Choimhlidh |
 |
| Rafe and Jim - descent into Coire Choimhlidh |
It really doesn't take long to lose all that hard earned height gained - we were soon in Coire an Eas Ban, aiming for the dam and small reservoir on the Allt Choimhlidh.
It was a bit a chew getting Rafie over the ladder stile by the dam, but his reward was a plodge in the burn.
 |
| Allt Choimhlidh (NN239764 approx) |
It was the usual faff in the woods of the Leanachan Forest - there had been some felling and some new tracks had been put through the forest - and we didn't want to make a wrong turn and have to do any extra walking (we really were quite tired and footsore!) We knew we were heading in the right direction (east) so we were going to come out on the track where the car was parked at some point!
But we needn't have worried, we were on the right track and pretty soon we came out of the woods and the car was a welcome sight.
Once the boots were off, we could look back on an amazing day - sore feet are soon forgotten but blue skies and mountain tops are remembered forever...
 |
| Track in Leanachan Forest near the end of the walk |
Route: Small car parking area on unsurfaced track 1km S of Coire Choille Farm (NN253794), continue S on tack through deer gate into The Lairg woods and past the Wee Minister (NN257787), at the S end of the woods, pass through 2 gates and turn R (W), around the small square enclosure and follow tree line until past the crags to the E, then ascend S over open hillside (intermittent path) to Beinn Bhan (843m), E to Stob Coire na Gaibhre (Munro Top 143, 958m), S over Bealach Coire na Ceannain (sh 924m), continue S to Stob Coire Claurigh North Top (1121m, NN263743), E to Stob Coire na Ceannain (Munro Top 15, 1123m), return W to Stob Coire Claurigh North Top (1121m), SW to Stob Coire Claurigh (Munro 15, 1177m), SW to Stob a'Choire Leith (Munro Top 24, 1105m), SW to Stopb Coire Cath na Sine (Munro Top 34, 1079m), W to Caisteal (Munro Top 23, 1106m), W to Stob Coire an Laoigh (Munro 39, 1116m), NW to Stob Coire Easain (Munro Top 33, 1080m), SW to Sgurr Choinnich Mor (Munro 52, 1094m), return NE to Stob Coire Easain, N to Beinn na Socaich (Munro Top 76, 1007m), continue to descend N along ridge and then NNE along open hillside to small reservoir on Allt Coire Chiomhlidh (NN239765), cross burn just S of this reservoir and walk N along E shore of reservoir and over ladder stile, continue roughly S following track to NN237777, sp here points S to Spean Bridge, instead turn R (NE) and continue on main track through woods, there are several new turnings not shown on current OS or HSW maps, stick to main track roughly NE and this comes out of woods 200m W of start point.
Statistics: Distance: 22.5km Ascent: 1730m Time: 10 hours 30 mins
Map: OS Explorer Ben Nevis & Fort William or Harvey Superwalker Ben Nevis
No comments:
Post a Comment