GREY CORRIES - LOCH TREIG WEST
From Stob Coire Claurigh looking west along the earlier leg and to Ben Nevis at the back. Photo Colin Matheson
13.8 miles 1856 metres
Start Saturday 06.21
Sgurr Choinnich Mor 06.50
Stob Coire an Laoigh 07.20
Stob Choire Claurigh 07.54
Stob Ban 08.28
Stob Coire Easain 09.45
Stob a' Choire Mheadhoin 10.01
Finish 10.57
Squares: yellow - changeovers. Circles summits: green - this leg. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 5.00 Actual 4.36
Tony writes:
“Tony … Tony … Tony.” Here we go again - Alwyn, my early morning alarm call. Another morning - another call. Only this time my alarm was rather later (like 2-4 hours) than expected. Alwyn still managed to come down Aonach Beag a different way than expected. After my experience at the Buachaille col I was now worldly wise – good bivvy bag with functioning groundsheet, 4 season down bag, Karrimat and no zip. I needed the improved gear, the col was exposed (the wind had broken my marker flag during the night) and the rain heavy. It was cold but I was snug. The only problem being the wind blowing the bivvy sac open – a zip would've been useful! I got more sleep but still woke up during the night with false alarms.
The last time I did the Grey Corries it was cold and very wet – I didn't see anything. This time it was cold, wet and very windy. I did however manage to get a few views. These must be fine hills to traverse on a good day. I made steady progress along the rocky ridge.
Stob Ban was as unpleasant as last time but I chose a good grassy descent to Lairig Leacach. I was not pleased when I passed the bothy and I saw someone. I had pride in my “night stage/early morning user” role and hadn't seen anyone on any of my previous legs. This was a blow and I blame Rob for his Mamore excursion for forcing me to meet people (there were more on the Stob Coires.)
I should have had a crack at the Munro's speed record between the two – I did them in 16 minutes without really trying. Unlike my final descent – very trying through heather, bracken and rocky bits to reach a track where I limped (at a good pace) to Fersit.
Memorable moment – getting blown off Stob Ban and having to chase my map into the wind – whee!
Peaks done 151 time taken 7days 8 hours peaks to go 126
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