Over The Hill

Even with an early start and no holdups on the way, we still had trouble finding an off-road parking place when we arrived at Coileitir such is the draw of Glen Etive and the Starav range, there were probably a dozen or so cars strewn along the roadside in various guises of parking. But park we did, and off we set, following in the footsteps of those ahead, and the small figures we could see like ants on the skyline on the lower slopes of Ben Starav's north east ridge.

However, we were soon to part company with those who were Starav bound, as we branched off from the ridge almost immediately and headed south towards Coire Lochain Ghaineamhaich and the 766m bealach on the ridgeline between Ben Starav and Glas Bheinn Mhor. This is an impressive walk, as the narrow, rough path rises above the steep gully formed by the Allt nam Meirleach, at times leaving little but thin air between the path and the river below; whilst, above, the route is lined on your right by the high crags of Starav's north east ridge, and on your left, the steep slopes of Glas Bheinn Chaol.

The path steepens considerably on the final section as it winds its way up towards the 766m bealach, crossing en route a couple of slabs of snow, still hanging on despite the warmer weather over the past week. In sharp contrast to the enclosed walls of the coire, our arrival at the bealach was one of those Wow! moments as everything opens up around you; with great views south over the Cruachan range, north towards the massif of Bidean nam Bian, and, off course Ben Starav itself. It is here also, that we had the first sight of our objective, Beinn nan Aighenan, until now, hidden from us by the bealach we were now standing upon.

Having gained the bealach, we now had to loose height and descend over the boulders and rocks to the base of Beinn nan Aighenan's north ridge from where it is a 350m ascent up through the rocky crags to gain the open, flat summit and its cairn. Here it was time for some congratulations, as this was Janet's 50th ......... Munro, that is!

This rather remote Munro offers little in the choice of a circular walk, other than to make it a long day and take in other Munros, and so, after a short stroll around the top, we departed as we had come, and set off to retrace our route back to Glen Etive.

A great walk, and in spectacular weather, which, contrary to the forecast, held fine for us, with just a bit of a chilling breeze at times, and a few light flurries of snow, nothing of consequence, and certainly no signs of the "heavy snow showers" that had been forecast - Brilliant.

Great day - Thanks Lawrie.