Finally a wee Brother that's not at all annoying

Route description: Buachaille Etive Beag
Munros included on this walk: Stob Coire Raineach; Stob Dubh
Time taken: 4.5 hours
Distance: 8 km
Ascent: 900m

Having not been out for a couple of weeks we were desperately scanning the MWIS website each day hoping that the weekend would offer us some decent weather. Eventually we settled on a return to Glencoe on Father's day Sunday. The 40% chance of cloud free summits, rising to 80% in the afternoon saw me leave Perth around 11.30 for the 2 and a bit hours drive North. Unfortunately there was a serious road traffic accident a few miles before Crianlarich which meant a delay of nearly an hour. We arrived at the car park by the 'Beehive' cairn shortly after 2pm, squeezing into the last of the 20 or so parking spaces. The boots were on quickly along with the 'Smidge' as it was quickly apparent we were likely to have some unwanted company of the biting variety on the way up.
Although there was no blue skies, the extensive clouds had lifted, with their base well above the summits. The promise of the sun breaking through remained nothing more than a tease throughout the day. Having said that, the weather was very muggy and it was clear this would be a sweaty and breathless ascent. There is a good path from the car park but be warned it quickly becomes an almost vertical staircase which in the weather was extremely hard going. Plentiful rest stops when the puffing and panting became to much afforded great views over to the Aonach Eagach ridge. 

Looking over to Aonach Eagach

Due to the very steep nature of the ascent height was gained relatively quickly and we soon reached the bealach. As you step onto the bealach you are greeted with excellent views over to the bigger of the Buachaille brothers Etive Mor. Any breath I had left at this point was quickly taken away !  From here it was the simple matter (if only !!) of turning left and heading up the bouldery slopes to to Stob Coire Raineach. Again this was a fairly steep ascent made more difficult by the odd section of scree between the boulders. The summit cairn is on a little plateau at 925 metres and was apparently promoted to Munro status in 1997. My apologies in advance for the top, please do not adjust your sets !!

Buachaille Etive Mor from the bealach

The ascent ahead from the bealach up to Stob Coire Raineach

The summit cairn was a welcome site and we quickly had the packs off and sat down for something to eat and another huge glug of the quickly diminishing water supply ! The views from the summit are spectacular through 360 degrees. You obviously have an excellent view of the neighbouring ridges of Buachaille Etive Mor on one side and the imposing and complex Bidean Nam Bian on the other. The view over Rannoch moor is extensive and again you can see over to Schiehallion in the East. My favourite view as I relaxed on the summit was along the ridge to our second and final summit, enhanced further by Loch and Glen Etive beyond.

For a 360 degree panorama from the summit click here.

Summit 1, Stob Coire Raineach

The ridge ahead to Stob Dubh without me spoiling the view !

Looking East over Buachaille Etive Mor and Rannoch moor to Schiehallion in the distance

Reluctantly we had to get moving, I genuinely could have sat there for hours, and the first descent of the day. I had elected to leave the walking poles behind in the car and whether this had a direct bearing or not, I'm not sure, but I was soon in a bit of trouble with my left knee. Luckily my mate had packed a knee brace/support in his pack. I strapped this on over my trousers, who was gonna see me up here ??? and soldiered on. You quickly find yourself back in the bealach and faced with the next ascent. In all honesty this was much easier than the first. The climb soon levels out at around 900 metres and heads over several minor 'bumps' as you head towards Stob Dubh. The second summit, the higher of the 2 on the ridge, is quickly reached and again marked with a small cairn. However, it is well worth continuing on along the ridge for a few more metres as the cairn at the far south end of the ridge is the finest viewpoint, with an unbeatable view of Glen Etive, with Ben Starav prominent, towering over Loch Etive. 

Once up on the ridge it's a fairly straightforward traverse to Stob Dubh

On the summit of Stob Dubh. Ben Nevis in the background, just left of centre, her summit remains shrouded in cloud

From the end of the ridge. Ben Starav to the left of Loch Etive

It was now around 5pm and time to head back along the ridge. Thankfully it was now considerably cooler and with the knee brace doing it's job and 2 Co-Codamol administered it meant for a fairly uneventful descent from the bealach back down the ascent path to the car park. The trek back along the ridge however was interrupted by the odd photo opportunity. Once again Glencoe had delivered in terms of breathtaking panoramas throughout the day.

The view back along the ridge from the summit of Stob Dubh

The 'Outcrop Shot' with Bidean Nam Bian looking magnificant in the background

Buachaille Etive Mor from the summit of Stob Dubh

We arrived back to the now almost empty car park around 6pm with my knee just about intact ! Fortunately the pressure required to depress a clutch is such that it doesn't do any further damage to my tendons/ligaments otherwise we may have had to spend the night in the car park !! Another great day in a fabulous part of the country. If you haven't yet experienced Glencoe get yourself up there, even if it is just to drive along the A82, I promise you won't be disappointed.