Over The Hill

As we arrived in the car park opposite the "beehive" cairn on the A82 in Glen Coe, it started to rain - given that the forecast for the day was for heavy rain showers, some possibly thundery, we were not too surprised. However, by the time we were booted up the rain had stopped, and we had clear visibility with a cloud-base sitting around 700m altitude.

A well defined path leaves the western end of the car park via a small stream and heads directly into the Lairig Eilde, this is the main footpath through from Glen Coe to Dalness in Glen Etive. After approximately 600 metres there is a fork in the path at which the main path drops right to cross the Allt Lairig Eilde, whilst the left fork climbs steadily at first, and then steeply on sections of stone steps towards the bealach Mam Buidhe at around 740m altitude. The path is very good, but the man-made steps break the natural walking rhythm, and the bealach is reached with some relief.

The cloud base was sitting just above the level of the bealach, shrouding the slopes of Stob Coire Raineach and the ridge path to Stob Dubh in heavy mist. A lone walker descended on us from the slopes of Stob Coire Raineach, and summed up the visibility when he stated that he "cud nae even find his pieces" (Colloquial: jeely piece = a jam sandwich) on the summit the mist was so thick.

The Buachaille Etive Beag boasts two Munros, one at either end of the long ridge, so you have an options as to which order you climb them. We opted for the further western top, Stob Dubh first, and to leave Stob Coire Raineach until we returned to the bealach.

A rocky, but well defined path leads steeply from the bealach to the cairn at 902m altitude, an un-named top, which marks the start of the narrowing ridge stretching ahead to Stob Dubh. We passed the cairn, and worked our way along the ridge with the cloud still heavy around us until suddenly, as we approached the end of the ridge and the final sharp climb to the summit, the cloud began to break up, giving ever increasing views back along the ridge. By the time we were on the summit, we had quite extensive views all around, albeit the cloud was still hanging around many of the tops around us.

A leisurely lunch on the summit, and we were off back over the ridge, this time in good visibility, allowing us to appreciate the ridge to its full. Back at the bealach Mam Buidhe, it was then time to begin the shorter, but steeper ascent of the eastern Munro, Stob Coire Raineach. The altitude difference from bealach to summit is approximately 170m, but this seems more on the steep ascent. However, the bonus is that it is just a short haul, and 20 minutes later we were on the summit, being treated to some blue skies as the day brightened for a period.

And so, with our two Munros completed, it was back to the bealach and a very quick descent down the stone steps and path back to the car park. Oh, and what about the rain and thunderstorms, well apparently we were very lucky, in the car park, Alan and Lindsay met us, having be seriously rained off their planned walk only a few miles north of us, and as we drove back via Crianlarich, it was obvious that they had had quite considerable rain during the day - funny thing the weather, looks like we had a little "hot spot" on the Buachaille Etive Beag.

Great day, brilliant walk - Thanks Mairi