Stob na Broige...at last!
Having climbed Stob Dearg on the Buachaille Etive Mor back in 1994 and again in 2007, I figured it was about time I got my butt down the other side of the Buachaille's long elegant ridge. Surely 2011 would be the year.
The original plan was to camp overnight around Loch Awe and climb Cruachan, but a late change of plan that took into account the girls being with us, landed us in Glencoe. A good night of refreshments and banter on a windy overcast evening passed quickly and was replaced with a splendid morning of clear blue skies and a slightly foggy head.
We set off up the Lairig Gartain at around 9am and with the strong winds gliding us up the glen, we were soon at the point to cross the River Coupall. The path up to the bealach between Stob Coire Altruim and Stob na Doire is a good one although a couple of small sections require a bit of care.
Nearing the top of the bealach where some pathworks by the NTS are about to start, the views to the north begin to open up.
![View above Lairig Gartain]()
Northerly view.
On arrival at the top of the bealach, we were greeted by a howling gust of wind, but the views were simply devine.
![South-easterly view]()
South-eastern view from bealach.![South East view of Stob Coire Raineach]()
Stob Coire Raineach from the bealach.![The Etive Hills]()
The Etive Hills from the bealach.
After a quick pitstop we headed up to Stob Coire Altruim, with the obligatory shot of Stob na Doire on the way.
From here we headed along the meandering ridge towards our goal of Stob na Broige. The wind was fairly shifting, and my wife was experiencing a slight dose of squeaky bum syndrome. Having only done a couple of peaks previously it was understandably a little discomforting for her. A few reassuring words later and somewhat less frozen with fear, we headed on along the ridge to try and catch up with the others who had been motoring since the bealach.
![Approaching Stob na Broige]()
Approaching Stob na Broige
We were soon at the summit and scoffing some well earned nourishment, before a picture just past the summit (out of the wind of course) and a few surrounding summit shots.
![Summit shot]()
Summit shot.![Bidean Massif]()
The Bidean massif from the summit.![Buachaille Etive Mor s Ridge]()
Looking along the Buachaille's ridge.
We were quickly back at the bealach where the route back out was clearly laid out in front of us.
![Lairig Gartain]()
Looking into the Lairig Gartain.
The descent on a warm afternoon was delightful and we were soon back down at the river. The path along the lairig seemed longer on the return though, was this the headwind?, was this the jaded legs? or was it just because I wanted a pint!
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