Here are some comments and images from some of our not so recent walks. Not surprisingly, those outings favoured by sunshine and spectacular scenery are better represented here. (Of course, the sun always shines on Club outings - it is just that some people don't notice it.)
The most recent walk is immediately below this - scroll down the page to see older walks. Also, you can click on the small "thumbnail" images to see larger images. Note that some of the images have been deleted on older walks to save space on the web server.
Gaelic place-name spellings here are generally as they are printed on OS maps. This is for the convenience of hillwalkers. I know many of these spellings are wrong and, indeed, not even consistent with one another.
Click here to see reports from recent outings
A disappointing turn-out - just Andrew, Norman and Ron - for a grand walk in reasonable, if not good conditions. Certainly better than the forecast. The top of Binnein Mor was in cloud but otherwise we were below the cloud-base all day.
We
took the track from Mamore Lodge and then the well-worn stalker's path up to the lochan between Sgurr Eilde Beag and
Sgurr Eilde Mhor. (Someone has been working on this path recently - it is much drier than it was last time I was
up this way !)
Then Norman headed east to climb Sgurr Eilde Mhor.
Binnein Beg from summit of Sgurr Eilde Mhor.
Andrew and Ron took the marvelous path
up to the summit of Sgurr Eilde Beag. This really is a quite exceptional little path, even if it is not shown on the OS map. One gains
height in a quite effortless fashion. We then headed east and north along the narrow ridge to the summit of Binnein Mor.
Stags were roaring in a spectacular fashion from below us in the corrie between the Binnein's and An Garbanach. We then set off down the
NE ridge as it looked to be a more direct route over to Binnein Beag. However, it soon became very loose and steep and
, as we could not see the way ahead due to the mist, we decided to climb back up and take the NW ridge down. This is
a longer route but soon turns into a gentle grassy slope down to the beallach with the lochans in it.
There was then the steep, rocky climb up to the summit of
Binnein Beg, where Norman was patiently waiting on us.
We then came down a steep gully on the NW side of Binnein Beg, directly
towards the Steall meadow in Glen Nevis. No problem crossing the river which was very low and down by the Nevis Gorge
to the car park.
Thanks are due to Gerry for collecting us all at the Glen Nevis road-end and ferrying us round to Ballachulish.
A not very pleasant Saturday morning saw four of us (Andrew, Jean, Rolf and Ron) in the Glencoe car park, debating what to do. It was raining and the wind was obviously pretty strong on the tops. The forecast was for it to get even worse !
We decided to
go up from Glencoe, using the Pap of Glencoe path, to the western end of the Aonach Eagach ridge and continue
along the ridge as far as Stob Coire Leith. Then descend via a ridge to Caolasnacon, where there is a
large camp site, on Loch Leven.
The walk up was, more or less, dry but the ground was absolutely running with water.
When we got on
to the ridge, we were in the cloud but the mists came and went and we had some brief and very atmospheric views of Glen Coe with the
A82 far below and the Aonach Eagach ahead. We also had a very clear but brief Brocken spectre (no photo !) which was a
first for most of us.
By the time we got to Stob Coire Leith the weather had, perhaps surprisingly, improved somewhat and there was a discussion about continuing along the Aonach Eagach. Some of us were keen. Some others, perhaps a bit overawed by their first "up close and personal" view of the famous ridge, were for sticking to the original plan and going down to Loch Leven. In the circumstances, it was decided to stick together and go down to Loch Leven.
The route we took was due north from Stob Coire Leith and started well enough. However, lower down
it became very steep and can not really be recomended. Stuart was kind enough to pick us up in his car when we reached
the "german road" on Loch Leven.
One of the Nevis Hillwalking Club's famous away weekends - the main objective was An Teallach and, in particular, a traverse of its famous ridge. In fact, nobody did the traverse mainly due to the weather which was a mixture of bad and terrible ! Typical "away weekend" weather in fact. Despite this a variety of routes were done:-
Friday. After exploring the Corrieshalloch Gorge, one group did the well-known coastal walk from
Badrallach to Scoraig. The rain stayed off so we did not get wet but the cloud base stayed around
200m all afternoon and we never had the expected view of An Teallach.
In the evening, all gathered for a meal in
the Sail Mhor Croft hostel, in Camusnagel, where some of us were staying. This was very enjoyable and is certainly the
best way to spend a wet night in Dundonnell.
Saturday No improvement in the weather - the cloud base was still down about 200m. However, 6 brave/foolish souls set off up the path opposite the Mountain Rescue base with the intention of climbing the two An Teallach Munros (Bidein a Ghlas Thuill and Sgurr Fiona). Four of us actually reached the two summits - Sgurr Fiona, in particular, turns out to be a very pretty pointed rocky summit. Reputedly, there are precipitous drops down to Loch Toll an Lochan but the mist was such that we could not see a thing ! The unanimous decision was to return by the way we had ascended - finding a way, round the horseshoe, over the Corrag Bhuidhe ridge in the mist would have been just too dangerous.
The other two crossed over into the
big corrie containing Loch Toll an Lochan and explored that. Then descended to the road somewhere near Coire Haille.
The other main party decided it was a day to stay low and, starting from the Gruinard river, walked up to
Lochan Gaineamhaich and over to Ardessie, on Little Loch Broom. The waterfalls on the descent to Ardessie are very
spectacular, even for Scotland. Mind you, it was the weather for waterfalls. Two people, from this group,
made a diversion to take in the Corbett of Sail Mhor.
Sunday Still no improvement in the weather - cloud base even lower than on Saturday. Two did the loch-side walk to Scoraig. Another group decided the weather would be better in the East and set off to do Ben Wyvis. In fact the East Coast weather was pretty similar to the West Coast weather - cloud base around 300m. However, we set off up the new path and up by An Caber where the wind turned out to be ferocious - the usual discussion about how strong it was - 50 mph or what. The 3 km ridge along to the Ben Wyvis summit took about 30 minutes and was really very unpleasant. It then had to be reversed so we got our other side soaked through as well. As expected by now, we never saw a trace of the views over the Moray Firth all day.
A day in the Wild West - over the Corran Ferry and west to Ardnamurchan. No big hills but wide horizons, glorious views and no paths.
We met up at the
Dun Ghallain Forestry Car Park (GR 648606) and set off up the steep slope to Ben Laga, a surprisingly
rocky peak, though the crags were easily avoidable. The heather has turned spectacularly purple in the last week or so
and was most striking throughout the day.
By 11.30, most of us had reached the top and,
after a quick bite to eat, descended to Loch Laga (interesting river crossing here !) and up again to
Meall nan Each.
This is not as high as Ben Laga but is the better viewpoint.
After a leisurely lunch, we then headed
south over Leac an Tuairneir and down to the setttlement at Laga.
Everyone then adjourned to Dave and Jenny's place at Glenborrodale for a barbecue. This was very successful -
lots to eat and drink. Thanks are due to Dave and Jenny for the trouble they had
obviously taken to prepare for this.
Todays hike was done in low cloud and drizzle with the sunshine arriving too late to be of much use. Nine folk turned out. The new path (somewhat quicker and drier) from the North Face car park was used.
At the CIC hut the party split. The more sensible ones opting
to put off Ledge Route for a drier day and went for a lower
option - the Ben Nevis Inn at Achintee via the Half-Way
Lochan.
Alan, Gavin and Ken put sense to one side and
did Ledge Route by the upper of the two alternative starts. The
scrambling was enjoyable despite the rain. A quick descent from
the top was decided on. As they had left their sense behind,
they decided on Number 5 Gully. None of the party had done this
before and none knew whether it went. It was very loose. Near
the bottom the gully became impassable at a jammed boulder.
Luckily an escape was possible on the left wall. A very
relieved but happy threesome made it to the CIC hut and back to
the carpark. 
Alan and Andrew
Another trip along Loch Quoich on an excellent day. Ten of
us (Allan and Mary, Andrew and Gerry, Bill, Chris, John and
Rita, John B. and Ron) set off up the old stalkers's path to
Bac nan Canaichean and then up to Sgurr Coire nan
Eiricheallach. We then followed the ridge west to the peak of
Sgurr a'Mhaoraich where we had lunch.
It was busy here as there
were two other groups as well as ours. Bill, John and Rita then
took the descent down the ridge of Leac nan Galdhseich to Loch
Quoich and a short walk along the road.
The rest of
us were going to go round the horseshoe and along the Am
Bathaich ridge. This involved a steep descent off Sgurr
a'Mhaoraich and then scrambling up the other side of the
bealach. There were glorious views from here north to Glen
Shiel and west to Skye. We finished with a steep descent down
the end of Am Bathaich on another stalker's path - this one,
however, was long neglected and almost lost among the mud in
places. Crossing the Allt Coire an Chaorainn turned out to be a
minor excitement.
Then a short walk back to the cars and refreshments at the Tomdoun Hotel.
There are no less than four hills of this name in the list of
Munros. This one was located in the west of the Monadhliath,
above Laggan. Ten people (Andrew and Gerry, Jean, Stuart and
Lydia, Ron, John and Rita, Davina and John) turned out on a day
which, while it was nothing like as bad as some of the weather
forecasts, well fitted the Scots word dreich. There was no
heavy rain but the drizzle was off and on all day.
We left the cars at the Spey dam and took the good track up Glen Markie. The majority then headed straight up the hill to Beinn Sgiath where we met and crossed the featureless plateau to the large cairn marking the summit of Gael Charn. We then descended via the broad ridge above the Piper's Burn. Rita, John and Davina ascended and descended by this route.
The hidden lochan in the corrie is quite impressive.
Otherwise there was little to see though we were informed that
there are good views north over the Monadhliath plateau on a
better day.
Garbh Bheinn is probably the best of the very
fine Ardgour Corbetts. It has ample opportunities for climbing
as well as scrambling and hillwalking. Our plan was to complete
the high circuit of the Coire an Iubhair. The weather was "all
over the place" - everyone was repeatedly taking their jacket
off and then putting it back on again.
Eight people (Archie, two Johns, Ron, Stuart and Lydia, Dave and Jenny) set off up the Druim an Iubhair leading to Sgurr Mhic Eacharna, where we had a break for an early lunch.
We then continued to Bheinn Bheag and descended to the bealach at the head of the corrie with the little lochan.
At this point, we were faced with ascending a steep grassy
gully to continue the circuit.
The unanimous decision was to leave this for another day and descend down the corrie to the cars. On the face of it, this was partly due to several members struggling with injuries. Also, the wind was getting up to 50 mph in the beallach and was certainly even more on the peak. However, it later emerged that the Tour de France was on the television. Ah well.
I don't know who suggested this walk but he/she must be a bit of a Munro-bagger - Ben Aighenen is a huge lump of granite hidden behind a high beallach. It is quite invisible from any road.
Seven of us - Adri (visitor), Jean,
Norman, Ron, Roy, Stuart and Tom - set off up the path by the
Allt nam Meirteach. There are numerous spectacular water slides
here as the river tumbles down over a succession of granite
slabs. The atmosphere was rather damp from the start and
despite a forecast which promised better things later in the
day, it stayed that way all day. Grey skies, occasional showers
of rain or hail and even more occasional brief spells of
sunshine.
When we reached the beallach, we had our first sight of the
day's target - Beinn nan Aighenan. Another hour or so, brought
us to the top. A brief lunch stop on the way down and four of
us (Norman, Roy, Ron and Tom) decided to take in Glas Bheinn
Mhor on the way back. For future reference, the safe way off
this summit is due East - score one here for Donald King's
navigation course last month !!
The "path" down by the Allt Mheuren proved to
be even more boggy than the Allt nam Meirteach path. Got back
to the cars around 6.00pm so decided to skip the pub visit.
Obviously not one of our best days (eg last Saturday on Blaven) but it was good to be out on the hills and we got two Munros in the bag !!
Ron
Pictures from Jean and Stuart.
Only four people - Steven, Stuart, Rolf and Ron - turned up for the walk today. Archie made an appearance at Spean Bridge but was not walking. The forecast was for a reasonable start to the day but rain later in the afternoon. The programme simply said "Red Cuillin" so we decided on a relatively short walk up one of the most spectacular mountains in Scotland - Blaven.
We left the car in the JMT car park by Loch Slapin and took the path up by the Allt na Dunaiche (pretty gorge with spectacular waterfalls) to the Coire Uaigneich. From there, the path continues all the way up to the North Top of Blaven, becoming increasing stoney with odd bits of easy scrambling.
The views just get better and better as you gain height :-
The Small Isles 
Loch Slapin and the Sleat peninsula 
The Great Prow 
Pinnacle Ridge 
Marsco 
Torridon 
Finally, from the summit itself, you can look across the Strath na Creitheich to the main Cuillin ridge - the most spectacular mountains in Scotland. Stuart claimed to be able to see the entire West Coast from Glasgow, in the south, to Cape Wrath, in the north. Not sure about that but, for sure, the Outer Hebrides were very clear to the North-West. This has to be one of the best viewpoints anywhere in Scotland.
We then scrambled over to the South Top across a gully (a succesion of narrow ledges, just don't look down !) and descended back to the Coire Uaigneich via the SE ridge which is very rocky and loose.
Back in the corrie, as it was his last day with the club for some time, Rolf treated us to a venison goulash which was delicious and has to be a first for Nevis Hillwalkers. For sure, he will be greatly missed. We wish him well wherever the future takes him.
How many restaurants do you know with a view like this ?
Mind you, the seats were a bit hard.
We hurried back down the path and got to the car just as the promised rain was finally starting. A wonderful day on a fantastic mountain.
Ron
It was back to the usual summer weather with heavy rain and flooding forecast. However there were grounds for optimism with better conditions expected further West. In addition to the six hardy souls who turned out for these hills, Stuart was driving for Archie and Margaret who had intended to join us for the walk-in, thereafter going on to Alltbeithe YH to explore Glen Affric. Their plans changed with the bad weather and they decided to spend the first day walking in from Morvich, thus reversing their route, so we said farewell to them at Loch Cluanie. Our ascent to A'Chralaig was as usual straight up the steep slope to the ridge at 770m, and once there the cold blast of the North-Easterly wind was felt. Undaunted the six pressed on although doubts were expressed by some about the narrowness of the ridge to Mullach Fraoch-choire with 40 mph gusts. Nevertheless all made both summits before returning via An Caorann Mor to a drying-out session (!) at the Cluanie Inn. For the record, those brave souls were, Alan, Mary, Rolf, Norman, Jean and John Boustead
Photo shows Rolf, Alan and Mary at the summit
cairn of Mullach Fraoch - choire 
Norman
The midsummer picnic was held on Thursday 21 June; a cloudy but dry evening. It was organised by Margaret and went very smoothly. The destination was not revealed until the last minute and was at a bothy she had stayed at but not many others had heard of. 12 people turned up.
As is usually the case, Archie ran the BBQ.
Plenty of food and drink was brought.
Margaret organised activities which some people
took part in but most seemed to prefer to chat ,eat and drink.
On leaving Rolf impressed everyone by fording the river
back to the road. (a feat Archie had done unseen when
arriving). Nobody decided to copy him and everyone else went
back over the bridge, a 25 minute walk away.
Alan
You get two reports for your money this week ! Don't say Nevis Hillwalkers does not give good value.
Jean :-
We set off rather sharpish due to the fear of being bitten by midges. It stops the long discussions on what we are going to do!! 7 of us started off, Ian, John, Norman, Alan,Susan, John B and myself. Susan and I took up the rear initially as the greyhounds set of. At the start of the climb to Ben Starav, John B and i took the route up the valley not certain what we were going to do. It was a steep ascent t o the beallach but looking back down the valley the water fall was quite breathtaking. We stopped for elevensies half way up the valley, I chose what I thought was a lovely spot but a slip here would have proved fatal I think but the water falls were amazing. Once at the Beallach we decided Glas Bheinn Mhor did not seem very far away at all and we made our way up. It was a pleasant ascent and once on the summit we spotted the others on the ridge on Ben Starav. We stopped for lunch and watched the cloud descend and then lift again and a few times the visibilty was great you could even see the Cuillins in Skye (one of the pics, look closely)We started down and before very long Ian literrally came running towards us and after exchanging pleasantries he set of running down the hill at an amazing pace. The last part of the walk was very boggy and not very pleasant after such a clean day!!! The others soon caught us up and we all arrived back at the cars at more or less the same time. The weather stayed dry as we all made our way back to Marion and Ian's for a superb BBQ. The food was great although the midges were enjoying us just as much. A great day and what a lovely way to finish it. It was also nice to catch up with some people I have not seen for a while.
Norman :-
A total of 10 walkers appeared for this outing, with Stuart and Lydia opting for a low level walk along Loch Etive, and Archie doing his own thing, walking from Glen Etive to Glencoe, via Stob Coire Sgreamhach and Bidean nam Bian. The others opted for the conventional approach to Starav, despite the programme suggesting that an alternative and more scenic approach would be from the Allt Coire na Ladach. Before too long Jean & John Brittain decided that a walk up the Allt nam Meirleach would be adequate exercise, but subsequently they pressed on and reached the summit of Glas Bheinn Mhor, where they were able to check the progress of the others on Starav silhouetted against the skyline. The remaining 5 ( Ian, Norman, Susan, Alan and new member John from Oban) soon reached the summit of Starav, but it was cloud covered so walked on for lunch at a lesser altitude, just before the col leading to Glas Bheinn Mhor. It was a pity there had been some cloud, as the ridge between the two hills was really interesting, but it still made for an enjoyable walk, with a wee bit of minor scrambling for short stretches, if desired. On the descent from Glas Bheinn Mhor, it all worked out beautifully, as it so often does on Nevis walks, with the 7 being re-united and reaching the cars at the same time. Just time for a quick tidy up before tackling the delights of Ian and Marion's barbecue feast at Cala Sona.
Aonach Mor is a "local" hill, situated between Fort William and Spean Bridge, and one of the 4000 footers. Despite this, it does not seem to be very popular with hill-walkers. This is probably because the northern slopes are littered with the chair-lifts and other equipment of the Nevis Range ski resort - all pretty unsightly, at this time of year, when the snow has gone. The plan, therefore, was to ascend via Stob an Cul Choire on the remote and rarely-visited east side.
We assembled in the Nevis Range gondola car park and set
off along the forestry road in the direction of Leanachan. But
at "Intake 8" (a small dam to trap the water and divert it to
the aluminium plant generators), we left the road and climbed
up through the forest. Then over a rather awkward deer fence
(barbed wire !) and out on to the open hill. The route was
straight up to Tom na Sroine. From there, we followed the ridge
over Stob an Cul Choire and up onto Aonach Mor itself. The only
difficulty was an enormous and very steep snow-field which
covered the path and disappeared down into the mist below us,
where it seemed to end at the top of a cliff. Definitely not a
good place to slip ! However, there was a narrow gap between
the top of the snow and the rock-face above so we scrambled up
this and up onto the ridge where we rejoined the path.
Unfortuneately, the cloud was quite low so we only got glimpses
of the Cul Choire through the mist. However, that was enough to
convince us all of its spectacular nature. Definitely, worth
another visit on a clear day. There was a large herd of deer
(maybe around 100) in the heart of the corrie, far below us. We
disturbed several ptarmigan on the ridge, in the neighbourhood
of Stob an Cul Choire.
Six people (Allan, Jean, John, Margaret, Ron, Sharyn) completed the route. Two more (Archie and Stuart) turned up at Nevis Range to say hello but, due to various injuries, did not go up the mountain. Mary met us on the descent.
The walk listed in the club programme was the "Forcan Ridge" but the wind was much too strong for exposed tops and was forecast to get stronger as the afternoon wore on. However, it was decided to drive up to Glen Shiel and "give it a go". It turned out to be a day of three ridge walks -
The A'Mhuing ridge running west towards Shiel Bridge.
The Forcan Ridge and the Saddle by the back door.
The Faochag Ridge.
People - 14 in all - were spread all over the mountains, possibly blown there by the very strong winds. Everyone (well, most) went up to the bealach south of Biod an Fhithich.
From
there, one party decided to explore the A'Mhuing ridge which
led west to Shiel Bridge. For three of them (Dave, Lydia and
Stuart) this had been on the 'to do' lists for a long time, and
Jean was just ready for an easier day after the rigours of last
week's walk. This proved to be every bit as good as Archie and
Margaret had reported from their traverse some months before -
wonderful views on a tough little ridge.
A
party of three (Alan, Alan and Ron) decided to sneak round the
back of The Saddle, and try to take the wind by surprise. They
climbed up the usual descent path. Then decided the wind was
not that bad and followed a "short cut" of Alan's up a steep,
grassy gully to arrive on the Forcan Ridge just below the
infamous drop-off on the Forcan Ridge. From there, they
followed the upper part of the ridge to the summit of the
Saddle where they were surprised to find Bill sitting just
below the OS pillar and finishing his lunch! Having arrived at
the start early, and thinking we had decided not to come
because of the weather, he had set off on his own.
Meanwhile Archie, Margaret, John Boustead and a visitor (Brad) from Canada were ascending the north-east ridge of Faochag - there must have been some reason for this !! They found it very windy and Margaret was blown off her feet as they made their way down via Bealach Coire Mhalagain and the usual Forcan Ridge descent path.
John and Rita settled for a day out of the worst of the wind, and followed the usual path to the foot of the Forcan Ridge, and then made their way down to the Alt Coire Mhalagain.
A good day all round - with surprisingly good views. Another case of us not letting a bad forecast get in the way of having a good day on the hills.
Sgurr Ghiubhsachain is the shapely mountain on the
left-hand side of Loch Shiel as seen from the Glenfinnan
monument. This is one of the "standard" views of the Highlands,
often appearing on shortbread packets and the like. It is not a
Munro, being only 849m high. This may be why some of the
better-known Munro-baggers, in the club, did not turn out? Or
possibly they just did not fancy the weather forecast which
included snow and a warning of blizzards on the tops ? Anyway,
11 people (including one visitor) gathered at the Callop
car-park and set off along the private road beside Loch Shiel.
At Guesachan cottage, we left the road and headed off up beside the Allt Coire Ghiubhsachain for a mile or so and then traversed left on to the fine NE ridge of Sgurr Ghiubhsachain, avoiding the precipitous lower part. This ridge has a lot of exposed rock (Moine schist, giving excellent friction for climbing and lots of big, chunky footholds) so there were ample scrambling opportunities for those who are that way inclined.
Or indeed not ! 
The route then continued over several ups and down (all very rocky and lots more scrambling) to the summit and lunch. Because of the recent wet weather, the air was extraordinarily clear and the views were fantastic. We could easily pick out the Paps of Jura to the south and the Outer Hebrides further north.
The
Skye Cuillin looked close enough to touch !
Note the snow glistening on the Ben Nevis summit plateau at
the far end of Cona Glen. 
We then continued our walk round the rim of the Coire
Ghiubhsachain to the day's second Corbett summit - Sgorr Craobh
a'Chaorainn 
and the long walk (Well, it seemed to go on for ever !) over
Meall na Cuartaige and down the ridge to the Allt na Cruaiche
glen (very attractive pine wood here) and the muddy path back
to Callop.
All in all, one of the best days we have had this year and two
lessons (which we all ought to know already) -
the Munro-bagging game is a nonsense - you miss some of the best hills, specifically the Ardgour Corbetts.
in Scotland, don't stay in bed just because the weather forecast is bad - you have to go out and see what the weather is really like.
Terrible weather forecast - only four people turned up for the walk. Perhaps the club members are getting soft after the long spell of lovely weather!! The Nevis Hillwalkers are not put off by a bit of bad weather, however - so what if it is lashing rain and gales - we can do something lower. So the intrepid four set off along Loch Arkaig to check out rumours of a hidden waterfall on the River Mallie.
We started at the
Chia Aig Falls, which were in fine form - tumbling and roaring
after the heavy rain.
Then we walked along the loch to the Inver
Mallie bothy - where we were offered a dram to drink and a fire
to dry ourselves at by the large party in residence. 
Spurning this kind offer we headed upstream, with a bit of
wading, and went across the new bridge built from old wood, and
up past the little suspension bridge, and on to about 0.5 km
before the ruin.
Then
back by the river to look at the trees and (when we managed to
find them) the wonderful falls of water, which were really
spectacular and in spate.
Bluebells
everywhere, looking magical in the sun (when it shone).
Finally, we managed to get a single view of Gulvain - what a long walk that was when we traversed it from Glen Mallie. It was a good alternative to being blown off the hills - and some fine waterfalls found to brighten the day.
In the topsy-turvy world of people living in the Highlands, these hills which are among the most accessible for people living in the Central Belt, are relatively remote and involve a long car journey. Despite that, and a not particularly promising weather forecast, 8 people turned out. As might be expected, this is the land of motorway-type paths and lots of people on the hill. Maybe just as well, in hind sight, as 6 of the 8 people present had signed up for the club navigation course next month so, presumably, felt their navigation skills are lacking !
The clouds came and went all day. We got a brief view from the top of Ben Vorlich but saw nothing from the top of Stuc a'Chroin. However, we only really got caught in one brief rain shower so can't complain.
View of the path up Ben Vorlich from Loch Earn
Two
pictures of the group at the trig point on Ben Vorlich - for
Munro baggers, the summit is at a large cairn 100m further
South !
A misty halt on the summit of Stuc a'Chroin.
Looking back at the descent route from Stuc a'Chroin.
So, how is life without the "A Team" (Andrew, Archie,...) ? Well nobody got lost and several of us clearly enjoyed the more leisurely pace. On the other hand, it was a very long day - after 8.00pm before we got back to Fort William which is probably too late. Mind you, it was the best part of a two hour car journey each way. Maybe just a bit too far, even for the long days of May ?
One of the classic Lochaber walks. Start from the top car park in Glen Nevis, ascend the Nevis gorge, then the circuit of Coire a Mhail - the large, rarely-visited corrie which drains into the Steal meadow via the famous Steal Bhan waterfall, finishing at Achriabhach.
First however, there
is the infamous wire bridge to cross. Though some of us (less
brave or perhaps we just had fewer points to make) simply
walked across the river! 
Then, the long climb up the zig-zag path to the
summit of An Gearanach (the first Munro of the day) where we
had the first of several lunch stops. 
The views over to Ben
Nevis and An Binnein Mor from here are spectacular. 
A narrow, and decidedly scrambley, ridge
follows over the second top of the day- An Garbhanach. 
The descent from this looks, and is, very
steep and rocky. Next comes another zig-zag path up to Stob
Coire a Chairn (another lunch stop !).
A pleasant stroll along a section of the main
Mamores ridge is followed by a steep and loose climb
(scrambling practice !) up to Am Bodach and the final lunch
stop. The main ridge continues on to Sgor an Iubhair.
From here, the splendidly-named Devil's Ridge (more scrambling practice and definitely not a good place to trip !) crosses to the final, and highest, top of the day - Sgurr a Mhaim. Most of us then descended the long zig-zag path down to the Lower Falls (and our knees are still hurting). However Andrew and Rolf found some obscure route down by the Steall waterfall.
In all, nine people did the complete "Ring" with a total ascent of around 1800m and another three did shorter routes.
Back to the glorious weather of a few weeks ago - the sun hats were well in evidence today. Aonach Dubh a'Ghlinne is the big ridge prominent from the A82 in Glencoe, north of the Three Sisters. The plan was to go straight up the nose, along the ridge to Stob an Fhuarain and ascend the Munro, Sgor na h-Ulaidh (peak of the treasure). One group however elected to climb Meall Lighiche (the doctor's hill) instead. They had a good day but no-one has sent me any pictures. The larger group, however, stuck to the plan and found a way up the nose. They then had a pleasant walk along to Stob an Fhuarain and Sgor na h-Ulaidh. The usual descent from there, is via the north-west ridge, which is wide and grassy. As to be expected with this lot, that was soon ruled out and we split into two groups for the descent - one descended the east ridge of Stob an Fhuarain which has several rocky steps which have to be scrambled over, and the other descended north to the Bealach Easan. There is a good path at the start of this but, in typical Glencoe fashion, the path stops at the top of a cliff ! Undaunted (well, maybe just a little bit), we threaded our way down through the crags and reached the bealach without incident.
John proudly displays the first tick of the
season. 
Approaching the summit of Aonach Dubh a'
Ghlinne 
after the big climb.
West face of Stob Coire nam Beith 
from Aonach Dubh a' Ghlinne
Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and Meall na Lighiche 
from Aonach Dubh a' Ghlinne
Heading down the east ridge of Stob an Fhuarain
Ian descending from Stob an Fhuarain 
As has been the case with several recent club weekends, the forecast was not good so two groups set off on the Friday in an attempt to get something done before the weather broke. One group climbed Ben Damph, a very fine Corbett on the south of Upper Loch Torridon, and the other had a hair-raising time on Beinn Dearg which is the joint highest Corbett and may even be a Munro (See the recent BBC report .) The descent on the side facing Liathach, in particular, is not for the faint-hearted.
Next day, as forecast, the cloud was down to
200 or 300m so we decided to do the well-known coastal walk
from Wester Alligin to Diabeg. 
Even with the low
cloud-base the views across Loch Torridon were exellent. The
walk started out on what appeared to be an old track but that
petered out (or we lost it) and we found ourselves threading
our way through sheer cliffs and steep gullies. Definitely not
the lazy walk along the sea-shore which we had been promised !
The final descent down to Diabeg, in particular, will be
long-remembered.
On Sunday, the clouds were still down and nobody was very keen
to try for the tops so we drove round to the Beinn Eighe Nature
Reserve and we all trooped round the Mountain Trail with
recitations from the booklet.
(Thanks, Margaret
!).
This is a palmate newt - well it is
a nature reserve !
Probably not the usual Club outing but an amusing time was had by all and we avoided the rain which we discovered later was tipping down on the other side of the mountain in Glen Torridon.
Finally, I must mention the food
which was consumed. On Friday evening, in the SYHA hostel, Rolf
prepared one of his banquets which was very memorable and, on
Sunday afternoon, in Diabeg, we had afternoon tea.
The weather was not so good today as a cold
front was moving through Scotland. It was dull and clouds
covered the tops for some of the day. However, we did not
actually get rained on, so no great complaints on that score.
This was a more strenuous outing than some of those we have had
recently. 
Stob Ghabar, in particular, is
probably the finest mountain in the Black Mount group, its
pointed summit being at the hub of multiple ridges which
provide excellent walking routes above deep corries.
As usual we split into several
groups - one did the complete round of the Coire Toaig,
climbing up the zig-zag stalkers' path to the top of Stob
a'Choire Odhair, then down to the bealach and a first view down
into the Coirein Lochain - without doubt a very atmospheric
place with the little lochan at the bottom of the deep
corrie.
There was then a steep haul up a loose scree slope to get onto the Aonach Eagach ridge which we followed to the summit of Stob Ghabhar. We then descended by the Man nan Sac and picked up the track, via Clashgour, back to Victoria Bridge. With hindsight, it might have been better to shorten the day by coming down the Coire na Muic?
Another group followed the above route to the bealach, then descended the excellent path down the Coire Toaig. Yet another climbed the whole length of the Aonach Eagach and joined the circuit at the summit of Stob Ghabhar. I believe everyone reached the summit of at least one of the two Munros, so a successful day was had by all, on that score at that least.
The weather is still fine and some people are beginning to say this might be the start of a great summer. Certainly, it has been a remarkably dry spell for the time of year. These two hills are a notoriously boggy outing but there were no complaints on that score today - the peat was dry and springy. Beautiful walking. There was a good turn out of 18 people (including two visitors) and a range of routes were done, all starting and finishing at the car park in Fersit. Some walked up to the lochan hidden in the heart of the corrie but the majority did the high round of the corrie taking in both Munros. Stob Coire Sgriodan is steep and has some craggy bits, especially on the Loch Treig side. Chno Dearg is a huge round grassy hump. Both hills have glorious views, especially to the south and east. We could see the Mamores (lots of snow on Binnein Mor), Glencoe, Schiehallion and, closer to hand, the Beinn Eibhinn and Ben Alder group - now they look like an interesting few days - big, craggy hills, miles from anywhere. We encountered a few large patches of spring snow on the descent from Chno Dearg and some amusement was had here. Some then finished by descending over Meall Chaorach and Creag Dhubh but majority of us just strolled down the middle of the corrie.
We then all met up at the Stronlossit Inn and sat outside in the late afternoon sun. (Yup, this really is Scotland in April!)
This is the view down Loch Treig from the
summit of Stob Coire Sgriodain. 
Lunch-time on Stob Coire Sgriodain
And a view, across the corrie, of Chno Dearg.
Yet another glorious day - already the gales and driving rain of the winter seem a distant memory. We parked the cars next to the historic tower at Achaladair farm.(Click here for some of the dark and bloody story.) and set off up Coire Achaladair. (For future reference, the track on the east side of the burn is much the better !) There are several excellent waterfalls here. At the top of the corrie, we split into two groups - one intending to traverse both Munros and the other intending to return by Coire Achaladair after reaching Beinn Achaladair only. The views were wonderful in all directions - Ben Nevis and Ben Lomond were easily identified and there were several discussions regarding the identity of the many other tops which could be picked out. The summit of Beinn Achaladair is a marvellous situation right on the edge of a precipice. We had lunch here with our feet resting on the cornice out over the drop. ( Well, some of us did !) The traverse over to Beinn a'Chreachain turned out to be rather more "interesting" than expected, with a steep descent involving several scrambley sections, and then a steep slog up a stoney slope. We then descended the narrow ridge to the east of Lochan a'Chreachain (several stretches of frozen snow to negotiate) and down by the Crannach Wood and finished with a gentle riverside walk along the Water of Tulla. Remarkably, both parties arrived back at the cars within 5 minutes of each other !
A wonderful day of the kind you remember years later. A great hill and a beautiful spring day. The forecast had mentioned a temperature inversion and we did not quite manage to get above the boundary so there was a hazey look to the hills though we could see for miles. On Streap (909 m altitude), we were in the haze but the higher tops were above it. Ben Nevis, in particular, looked unreal.
We split up into (at least) three groups which tacked routes of varying length and difficulty, though we almost all met up for lunch at the summit.
Here is a
view of the famous "knife edge" ridge which leads up to the
summit. Actually, there is a well-trodden path all the way, so
it nothing like as frightening as it looks from below.
This is looking back down the ridge.
Lunch stop at the summit cairn. 
That one is Ben ????? 
Looking back on a great hill. 
Various views from high up on Streap
Notice the ghostly Ben Nevis with the snow- and
ice-covered plateau glistening in the sun, in the next image.
Once again a dreadful forecast, with blizzards, gale force winds and zero visibility. We prudently decided that the through route from Kinlochleven to Glen Nevis via the Stob Ban summit was not on. Even just hopping over the bealach would not have been sensible if the promised northerly wind shift chose that moment to pick up. Eleven folk turned out and we decided to push a route through the deep glen cut by the Allt na h'Eilde, with its impressive waterfalls and gorges. All the burns were in fine form. The rain soon turned to lying snow. This made picking out a route more difficult. Negotiating some steep rocky ground eventually forced us up to the pipeline. Returning to the river bank, we followed it to the little dam at Loch Eilde Mor. There's bound to be a way through following the gorge all the way. Must try it again sometime. Headed down the NW flank of Meall an Doire Dharaic to the Ice Factor for hot drinks/beers etc. and a blether. (Archie, Andrew, Alan, Ron, Mary, Gerry, Margaret, Jennifer, Big John, Stuart, Tom)
We left the cars at the Dorusduain car park and crossed over to Glen Elchaig via an old path to the west of Carn an Cruitneachd. We then returned, via the path through the gorge of the Allt a Ghlomaich and past the Falls of Glomach. Then back to the car park over the Bealach na Sroine. The gorge (and the path!) are very spectacular - several people remarked that they were reminded of treks in the Himalayas, give or take four thousand feet. Here are some images. However, they really don't do justice to the gorge.
A wonderful day of winter sunshine. Excellent visibility - we could see as far as the Skye Cuillin (around 40 miles) quite clearly. There was a little frozen snow near the top of Gleouriach but almost none on Spidean Mialach.
Here are some pictures -
A glorious day with classic temperature inversions - cold in the valley but got warmer as we climbed up. We all started from Moy Bridge but split into three groups :
Creag Pitridh and Gael Charn
Creag Pitridh only
A beautiful low-level walk along Lochan Na h'Earba and Loch Laggan
Here are some pictures -
Due to "inclement weather", the planned ascent of An Bodach in the Mamores, was replaced by a walk up to the Blackwater Dam. Here are a few pictures from a very wet day :
An image of a "heart-shaped" lochan for our
more romantic-minded readers.
This is a view, though the trees, of the water cascading down the Blackwater Dam.
And finally a sunset view.
Eight people turned out for the day's hike: 2 Alans, Andrew, Archie, Gerry, Margaret, Mary & Ron.
From near Auchlean in Glen Feshie we went up Carn Ban Mor and over to Sgor Gaoith. Some of the party detoured to the cliff edges to look down onto Loch Einich. Lunch was had on the wind-free summit. Then we headed to Mullach Clach a' Bhlair. Four of the party preferred to miss out this flattish summit and went down the valley of the Allt Garbhlach, while the other four bagged the summit before returning to follow the first four. The valley is very impressive; being steep sided and rocky. It is never too difficult but still needs care.
Comments included :-
Again another good day was had with great company. Two more ticks for my efforts. Nice walk down Coire Garbhlach.
Two munros - one good (Sgor ...) and one boring (Mullach ...) but the way down corrie was interesting
Again weather better than forecast - sun and good views. Windy though. Peaks a bit boring but corries magnificent.
'A game of two halves', very gentle up and back to Corrie Garbhalach then pretty rough going. However, scenery was spectacular as well as expansive. Very enjoyable day and company.
Enjoyable airy 'open' feeling on typical Cairngorm plateau, springy turf, bright green mossy springs. Sensational contrast arriving at view of Loch Einich and craggy rock pillars of summit. Remarkable waterfall disappearing under 4ft thick snow. Corrie Garbhalach was rocky and shattered at start with a spectacular waterfall, then huge sweeps of side walls curving down and around giving a hidden And secretive feeling to each corner.
