Easter @ Waters Cottage, Kinlochleven

Dave Wylie, Joe Dugdale and Caroline Gay headed up to Waters Cottage, Kinlochleven for the Easter week. On Sunday, we climbed steeply north east from Kinlochleven towards Loch Eilde Mor, skirting Sgor Eilde Beag to scramble up the north side of Binnein Mor (1130m). Continuing south west along the ridge took us to Na Gruagaichean (1055m), where the clouds cleared for excellent views over the Mamores and Nevis range, before descending down the valley back to the village (15 miles/1500m ascent). Monday was an easier day, summiting the Pap of Glencoe (742m) and sampling the cake in the National Trust Scotland visitor centre.

 

Sadly Joe had to sit out Tuesday’s big day due to a niggling knee problem. Dave and Caroline took on the Ring of Steall in superb sunny conditions. Starting out from Achriabhach, we headed clockwise along the stunning Nevis gorge to wobble across the river on the Steall wire bridge. A steep ascent took us to An Gearanach and An Garbhanach. Excellent visibility gave views over mountains as far as the eye could see in all directions, with snow lying over around 1050m. A steep, rocky but never technically challenging ridge looped around Am Bodach, Sgurr an Iubhair and Sgurr a’Mhaim before descending in early evening back to the car park. At around 9 miles with 1653m of ascent it was a tough but rewarding circuit.

 

After a rest day, Thursday’s route was the easier river path to the Blackwater Reservoir returning via the hydro scheme. On Friday, Dave and Caroline tackled Sgorr Dhearg and Sgorr Dhonuill above Ballachulish via easy scrambling on Schoolhouse Ridge. Another bright day with great visibility, vistas opened out down Loch Linnhe and out towards Skye with a white-tailed eagle soaring across the sky. Top tip: don’t take the descent route down the north west side of Sgorr Dhonuill – it’s tough going through felled trees and an endless trudge along forestry tracks back to Balluchulish (10 miles, 1302m climb). Weary legs demanded a rest day on Friday, with just a short walk along Glen Coe for a spectacular dip in the pools of Glen Coe with Aonach Eagach and Stob Coire Nam Beith towering above.

 

Sunday’s final route was Ben Nevis via the Carn Mor Dearg Arete. A boggy ascent led to a thick covering of snow on Carn Mor Dearg, although the arete itself was clear of snow and ice and presented few challenges. A final steep bouldery climb led out onto the snowy plateau with its strange assortment of buildings and swarms of visitors before descending the tourist path to return to Torlundy through the woods (11 miles, 1485m climb). A great week in a great location.

Caroline Gay