Stob a'Choire Mheadhoin & Stob Coire Easain
Loch Treig - Glen Spean - by Jackie Carson
Introduction
The
last time I walked at Loch Treig the cloud base was at 400 m,
the rain was torrential and it was so windy I could hardly stand.
I don't think the weather could have been further from that
on the day we chose. Mid September and it was 20°C, shorts
and tee shirts the whole day with clear views as far as the
eye could see. |
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This
was one of the best days out I've had in years, clear blue sky,
sunshine and no midges. We had fantastic views in all directions
from the summits. Stob Coire Easain summit deserves particular
mention, as it's a bit of a pointy number with severe steep
crags below and a cosy seat from which you can drink in the
scenery on offer.
Expect
a long day in these hills as the pull up the first hill just
keeps on going from false summit to false summit, and the descent
is a bit of a monster. We ran out of time for the traditional
pint and nachos at the Clachaig on the way home, but even this
minor hitch and slight sunburn could do nothing to dampen the
spirits after a classic day in the hills.
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Route
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Start
from the car park follow the trails through the bracken
on to the lower slopes of Meall Cian Dearg. A faint path
soon becomes a well used track.
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Follow
the track which runs SW to the foot of Meall Cian Dearg.
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Meall
Cian Dearg is steep and from a distance looks impregnable
but the path winds its way carefully through the rocks.
Some easy scrambling is required in parts. Care is needed
at others as the ground is wet and slippy in some areas
and loose in others.
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From
the top of the scramble, 750 m, GR332759 continue heading
SW along the ridge.
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This
hill increases in a series of steps. The next climb of 150
m takes you within sight of the summit. Don't be fooled
this is not the top. A walk of just over a kilometre and
another 150 m of ascent awaits.
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Continue
SW along the ridge and climb the final 150 m to the summit
of Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin, 1006 m, GR316736.
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To
continue to Stob Coire Easain continue SW over the summit
and descend steeply to the col, 960m, GR313733.
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From
the col head almost due W. A clear path zig-zags its way
up the grassy lower slopes. The terrain become rocky towards
the summit.
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There
are no false tops on this hill, the summit is small and
the cairn large, 1116 m, GR308731.
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To
return we retraced our steps back to the col and over
Stob A' Choire Mheadhoin, then back along the ridge. Some
of the books suggest and alternative descent following
the NW ridge before turning NE and following the Coire
Laire. [Ed. On a separate outing
we took the route alongside the Coire Laire, and it really
is a long walk back. The hardest bit being the steep descent
down the spongy slopes to get the to the Coire Laire,
there after it's just a long flat walk back to the car.]
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We
altered our route slightly towards the end by cutting
down east to the access Rd running along the loch and
following it back to the car park.
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Following
the power station track gives a good alternative start
route bypassing the wet boggy ground close to the carpark.
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