Over The Hill

It may not be acceptable to the “purists” but taking a ski lift to the start of a walk is a brilliant idea; even more so, when you finish the walk and take the ski lift back down to the car park; fantastic!

In summer, the Glencoe Mountain Resort runs the lower ski lift from the base station at the main car park up to the first station at a height of 670m on the slopes of Meall A’Bhuiridh. What more could you ask for at the start of a walk. The ride itself is very enjoyable, and once disembarked from the ski chair the mountainside is there with a varied choice of paths to explore on foot or by mountain bike. We were, of course, on foot, and set off initially on the track leading to the minor top of Creag Dhubh before swing off onto a rough track towards the 724m minor top at the base of the north ridge of Meall A’Bhuiridh. The visibility was variable, having left the base in bright sunshine, our arrival at the 724m top was in drifting mist and low cloud, but even so, it was obvious that we were surrounded by fine mountains, as we had fleeting glimpses of the rugged cliffs and corries of Creise and Stob a’ Ghlais Choire as we looked across the depths of Cam Ghleann two hundred metres below.

The initial stages of the climb up the broad ridge is mainly on a rough grassy track, to the right of which occasional poles and signs warn skiers of the danger of the steep cliffs of Mam Coire Easain, and to the left, a waist-high fence ensures that the skiers stay clear of the uppers stages of the ski lift. Today, in drifting mist these features doubled as a point of reference as we steadly climbed higher up the narrow, and often twisting track towards the summit. In the later stages of the climb, the grassy hillside gives way to a boulder strewn landscape, and the path become more indistinct at times as it blends into the rocks and boulders underfoot.

At 1108m high, the summit of Meall A’Bhuiridh is a magnificent viewpoint, especially towards the vast watery expanse of Rannoch Moor. Such was the manner of the drifting mist, that we could gaze upon Rannoch Moor and beyond, and yet, turn around, and Creise and the adjoining ridge to Clach Leathad were barely visible. We had this wonderful mountain all to ourselves as we settled down for a short break, and to congratulate Mike, Bernadette and Pat on a new Munro for them.

Meall A’Bhuiridh and it’s neighbouring Munro, Creise are usually done as a pair, and so, Creise was the next objective for Mike, Bernadette and Pat to make the most of the day and complete the pair. Therefore, as they and Ian departed for the descent to the 932m bealach and subsequent ascent to the Creise/Clach Leathad ridge I remained on the summit for a time longer before returning back down the north ridge towards the 724m top, and a leisurely wander up and over Creag Dhubh, where I found myself a fine spot to just sit and gaze over the long stretch of the A82 as it crossed the edge of Rannoch Moor, and to gaze upon Rannoch itself, an idyllic way to pass an afternoon, before finally returning to the ski lift for the descent back to the car park. A brilliant day.

And, what of the other intrepid adventures who ventured even further. Well, it is not an easy descent to the 932m bealach, and care has to be taken on the steep stony ground, and, on the others side, a little mild scrambling is required to gain the Creise ridge, but once there, it is a fine, if somewhat stony ascent to the 1100m summit of Creise, and Munro number two of the day for Mike, Bernadette and Pat. The weather started to turn a little wet and very misty at this point, and so after a quick break just below the summit of Creise, it was back down the scrambly bit to the bealach, and a climb back up, just skirting the actual summit area of Meall A’Bhuiridh to regain the rough track down the north ridge, branching off before the 724m top to make a direct return to the ski lift, and a welcome ride back to the car park.

A great day, loved the ski lift! Well done Mike, Bernadette and Pat on the new Munros, and thanks Ian and Mike for the choice of mountain.