Buachaille Etive Beag - No 99, 100

A late start, again, then tanked up the 'Alt Alrige Eilde' to the well laid flagstone path twisting up to the snowline, approx. 450m, exactly as per the www.mwis.org.uk forecast.
An icy path then deep snow with a firm padded top layer snaked up to the Bealach. Windy steps later and a quick chat to folk descending and on up to the first summit, 'Stob Coire Raineach'.


A very windy break just of the summit and my 99th Munro done. Crampons on for the descent and the rest of the ridge. Much safer on the hard packed snow, normally it would be bucket steps but it's consolidated since last weekends big dump.

Back down then up along the Buachaille Etive Beag ridge to the top then the last summit of the day and my 100th ! Quite tricky at points but a geat ridge walk with fantastic views down to the glistening Etive river and Loch.











More photos here http://www.munrobagging.fotopic.net/c872259.html

Stob Na Broige -No 98

The weather forecast on http://www.mwis.org.uk/ was a peach for the Western Highlands. Parked up at 11am, in Glencoe, then trudged offin the sunshine thru the ROW up 'Lairig Gartain' in the Glencoe area.

Icy frozen path but fast. Then knee to thigh deep powder up the flagged path then snaking up to avoid going below the avalanche littered slopes below 'Stob na Doire'.

Broke out of the small cornice (scary) onto the ridge and blinding sun, relief from the trail breaking and plodded up to the top. Amazing 'reminder you're alive' views spread out in all directions. Beyond Schiehallion was grey and murky, cairngorms looked poor.

Ben Nevis dominating the north view. No wind at all and I heard french voices coming from the summit across the glen. Stilljust a fleece and no gloves.

A nice narrow corniced ridge led to the 98th Munro of mine, Stob Na Broige. I checked to see another descent but trundled back and returned down theascent route. Still amazes me how many folk are up just now WITHOUT axes. A group I met asked how far the summit was, I was tempted to say'look at your map'. A peculiar question considering there was 70 miles of visibility.

A great day route and weather wise.

Photos here http://www.munrobagging.fotopic.net/

A bit of Bouldering at the largest indoor climbing wall now.(www.adventurescotland.com)

Nick