| Route description: Creise & Meall a'Bhuiridh Munros included on this walk: Creise & Meall a'Bhuiridh Time taken: 5.5 hours Distance: 10.5km Ascent: 1110m |
Having a week off in late September with a week long forecast of high pressure is a hill walkers dream. However, due to the other halves work committments and the kids school runs meant I had Tuesday to get on a hill but only after the kids were safely deposited at the local primary. I was flying solo again, so with my cheapy Chinese tripod and phone mount (essential selfie apparatus lol) safely stowed in my pack I began the now very familiar journey along the A85 from Perth heading to the glorious Glencoe. The MWIS weather forecast was brilliant, guaranteed clear summits and reasonably light winds. I had decided to tackle the 2 from the White Corries Ski Centre at the start of Glencoe. 2 hills that had not featured highly on my to do list mainly because of the reports I'd read talking about how the Ski Centre and ski tows on the initial ascent spoiled the aesthetics. My thinking was once you were past them your eyes would only be drawn to the views North and West and nowhere near any man made eyesores. I arrived at the huge car park and was ready to go for 11.45.
Stopped to take a wee pic of the mirror man at Loch Earn on route. He doesn't mind getting his photo taken.....says he's a people fan lol
The initial walk basically follows a well sign posted path up the hill below the line of the ski lift. It is very steep and rough in places and heads straight up towards a small building which I think is something to do with hiring moutain bikes for the downhill bike path which runs alongside the footpath up the hill. The mind boggles at the thought of hurtling down the mountain on a bike especially given the sharp bends and even a large ramp on the course ! At the hut I had to negotiate a boggy plateau on the way to the foot of Meall a'Bhuiridh's north ridge. Once I reached this point I followed a path of sorts made by the tracks of one of the what I can only presume was an all terrain vehicle from the ski centre. The broad ridge became progressively steeper and more bouldery as I gained height. There are fantastic views of the Creise ridge rising above the Glas Choire to the West and of Buachaille Etive Mor beyond.
It'll be this way then !
The big Bookil on the left from the boggy plateau. Ben Nevis in the centre away in the North.
The bouldery ascent to the summit of Meall a'Bhuiridh
There is a 'scree' route of sorts which zig-zags it's way up through the boulders. The climb was prolonged and bloody hard work in the midday sun, who ordered Summer for the end of September ? Despite the obvious remnants of the skiing operation dotted all over the hill it seemed light years away from the impending Winter as I trudged my way up, sweating profously ! At least the frequent stops meant I could gaze at the amazing views behind me. They gave me all the motivation I needed to get myself up there, how good would the views be from the summit ?
BEWARE....there's nae snaw !!!
Made it, Meall a'Bhuiridh summit....photo straight into the sun, composition lessons required lol
The views were fantastic. Beyond the summit cairn a sheer drop falls to the tiny Lochan Easain...that's the reason I took my summit shot straight into the sun, there was no room for the tripod on the other side of the cairn....see I'm not an imbecile after all lol
In the West directly opposite are the cliffs of the Clach Leathad ridge. Apparantly Leathad was once the munro on the ridge before being stripped of it's title in favour of Creise sometime in the 80's. To the East was the vast expanse of Rannoch Moor with the classic pyramid shape of Schiehallion clearly visible in the distance. It had taken around 2 hours to reach the summit and I was starving. There was a fair breeze on the summit so I sought shelter just off the top to enjoy my lunch. I've certainly never had an egg piece anywhere more fabulous in my forty years lol
In the West directly opposite are the cliffs of the Clach Leathad ridge. Apparantly Leathad was once the munro on the ridge before being stripped of it's title in favour of Creise sometime in the 80's. To the East was the vast expanse of Rannoch Moor with the classic pyramid shape of Schiehallion clearly visible in the distance. It had taken around 2 hours to reach the summit and I was starving. There was a fair breeze on the summit so I sought shelter just off the top to enjoy my lunch. I've certainly never had an egg piece anywhere more fabulous in my forty years lol
The Creise ridge, the summit is in the centre.
The deposed former Munro summit of Leathad
Looking North to the Mamores from the summit. The corbett of Beinn a'Chrulaiste on the right.
East over Rannoch Moor to Schiehallion away in the distance.
The sheer drop to the lochan.
Reluctantly it was time to move on and tackle the short ridge over and up to the middle of the Creise ridge. I've got to say as I looked down the ridge from the summit that it looked every bit as intimidating as the CMD arete I'd tackled last week. Especially the far climb up to the top of the Creise ridge which looked almost vertical from this vantage point. I'd been in this position before, notably on An Stuc where once you actualy get closer the gradient magically lessens, a route can be seen and all is well with the world again. Well, fingers crossed ! The drop down is straightforward, if awkward and steep through the boulders before levelling out ahead of the climb back up the other side. Once at the bottom of the ascent up to the ridge a route is clearly visible but does require some very mild scrambling through a few very large boulders, great fun, made more so being shaded from the sun for a spell.
The route over to the Creise ridge...believe me, it's steeper than it looks !
The climb up to the ridge.....yeah it was steeper than it looks lol
Once my head popped up above the ridge I think I uttered an involuntary WOW !! and with good reason, the views West over the Buachaille's and Bidean Nam Bian are simply breathtaking, equally North over the Ring of Steall to the Mamores and South West towards Bens Starav and Cruachan. Also breathtaking in a more practical sense was the view back over the col to Meall a'Bhuiridh as I realised that to get home I would have to retrace my steps and climb it again, ouch !! You can turn left once on the Creise ridge and head South to the old Munro of Leathad if you wish. Given I was getting increasingly knackered and with the thought of the return route firmly in mind I opted to just head North along the wide ridge to Creise, the bouldery plateau was easily negotiated as the views had me 'walking on air' to the summit cairn.
The first Munro of Meall a'Bhuiridh....and the way back !
The route North along the ridge to the summit of Creise.
The view as you step onto the Creise ridge....well worth the climb I think you'll agree.
I reached the summit about 3.5 hours after leaving the car. There is not much more I can say about the amazing views. The amateurish photos taken on my Smartphone whilst still looking very good simply do not do justice to the magnificent beauty and colours as seen by the naked eye. Of course the photos will be great to look back on but what will stay with me for a very long time, I hope, are the wonderful memories of an amazing day.
West over the Buachaille ranges to Bidean Nam Bian in the centre.
Nevis, CMD and the arete in the North.
The majestic Buachaille Etive Mor from Creise.
South back along the Creise ridge. The clouds were a beautiful pink that the camera didn't quite capture.
Creise, obligatory summit selfie !
Rarely have I been so reluctant to tear myself away from a summit but unfortunately we all have to go home sometime. I can't say I was overly enthused with the prospect of clambering back up Meall a'Bhuiridh but needs must ! I headed back South along the ridge taking the final opportunity to commit the views to memory as I reached the cairn marking the point on the ridge to 'get off'. The crossing was actually OK, bloody hard work as the late afternoon sun was still very warm and beating down on my back as I ascended the day's first Munro for the second time. I reached the summit quickly enough and immediately began the descent back down through the boulders to the grassy shoulder and eventually to the boggy plateau on route to the building at the end of the first ski lift. As I did so I passed very close to a small herd of deer with the big stag staring me down as I quickened my step ! They were lucky I was only carrying a walking pole and not a rifle as they showed absolutely no fear of me !
Did you guys learn nothing from Bambi ?!?
Once back at the hut, the car park came tantalisingly back into view. It looked very near but was still some way below. After negotiating the path down I visited the cafe in the car park for, of all things, a can of Lilt....last enjoyed by me circa 1985 lol unfortunately it wasn't 1985 prices, £1.40 for a can of ginger !!
Exactly 5.5 hours after starting the walk I was back at the car and exhausted. What a fantastic day it had been, Glencoe in the sun never disappoints. These 2 lesser trumpeted hills had punched way above their weight in delivering such spectacular views and are now worthy of far more recognition from me than simply Munros 55 & 56 in my bag.
Exactly 5.5 hours after starting the walk I was back at the car and exhausted. What a fantastic day it had been, Glencoe in the sun never disappoints. These 2 lesser trumpeted hills had punched way above their weight in delivering such spectacular views and are now worthy of far more recognition from me than simply Munros 55 & 56 in my bag.
Any chance of starting the ski lift fellas ?........pretty please !!
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