13th - 16th December

2007

Richard Hakes, Andy Plummer, Rob Woodhall and I travelled up on Thursday night arriving late at the hostel. Departing at 7am on Friday in the car to park just before the forest behind Spean Bridge. We walked up Stob Coire Gaibhre and round onto Stob Coire Claurigh then onto Stob Ban. I wanted to recce a direct descent to the valley and subsequent ascent of Stob Coire Easian. It worked very well and can be seen on the picture.

The weather was warm (ish) but quite windy on the earlier hills but it had eased off by the time we got to Stob Ban. The route was about 16 miles and took us 6 and a half hours (including a bit of reascent to establish the start of the correct descent off Stob Coire Claurigh).

We went back to the hostel via the fish and chip shop about 3.30pm and had shower and ate. We walked into Fort William at 4.30pm giving ourselves just enough time for a quick pint before catching the 5.40 train to Corrour. Once there we had lots of cups of tea (reusing teabags - to Richard's horror !) then went down to the bar and restaurant to indulge in a few bottles of Corrour Ale. The next morning we were up for breakfast at 6.30am (which Beth very kindly got up to make us) however we had to pass on the full Scottish (next time) !!. This place is must for anyone visiting the Highlands (link on Links Page).

A trot/walk along the railway in the dark got us on the Ramsay route at 8am in the light. It is such a long way along the valley bottom and I for one was glad to start climbing.

We met Yiannis on route to Benein Beag - and he showed us an excellent descent down to the river bottom. We ascended and descended Benein Beag then took the "grassy" line up the right of Benein Mor which as we neared the top turned very icy and unpleasant but without ice would I think be the best way. From there we continued along the Ramsay route until dark before dropping off into Glen Nevis. Rob carried on to the finish and arrived back at the hostel at 6pm looking like he had had a fight with a Scottish forest (which was what he had had!!).

Sunday's plan was shortened to a walk for me as I had turned my ankle and although swollen and bruised was ok to walk on. We walked up Ben Nevis on the best weather day I have ever had. The sun came out on top but it was bitterly cold and descending off down to the ridge was too dangerous and so we turned round and descended back to Glen Nevis. I think we were all quite happy with it though.

Link to Rob Woodall's pictures on Flickr

and Richard Hake's pictures on Flickr