Hills & Mountains
The Black Mount
*I am in the process of redesigning this section to include notes and many more high-res shots*
Intro* Includes the main peaks of the Black Mount and their subsidiary tops etc*
The Black Mount
The Black Mount must be one the most-photographed mountain ranges in Scotland, especially when seen from the A82 Glasgow to Fort William road beside Loch Ba. No matter how often you drive past, or stop to take a snap, there is always the potential to witness another stunning scene.
Stob Ghabhar
STOB GHABHAR (1087m)
Various dates
Various dates
Stob Ghabhar, with its sweeping corries, precipitous cliffs and magnificent ridges is a complex Munro lying at the southern end of the Black Mount massif. It is one of the finest mountains in the Central Highlands and is usually climbed from the south where a stalkers` path reduces the amount of effort required. An alternative, slightly more adventurous route is along the narrow ESE ridge known as the Aonach Eagach which, although nowhere near as dramatic as its namesake in Glen Coe, is narrow in places and requires care, especially when it`s wet or icy underfoot.
Stob Ghabhar, seen on the far left above, lies close to the west end of Loch Tulla, and is usually climbed along with Stob a` Choire Odhair, which looks out over the vast expanse of Rannoch Moor. A classic hillwalking day is to traverse, not only these two Munros, but all the peaks of the range, which can be seen in this view from Ben Dorain, however, this is quite a trek, (25km) and return transport could prove problematical. I`ve done the traverse several times over the years, mostly south to north. (to edit*)
Loch Tulla lies just north of Bridge of Orchy and the West Highland Way skirts round its west end before striking north across Rannoch Moor. Given the right conditions, the loch`s waters can produce some spectacular reflections. You can access the loch shore via a gate in the deer fence at the western boundary of the pine woods, just east of the Inveroran Hotel. Parking on the verges is discouraged due to damage caused to the vegetation, therefore it is requested that visitors drive on for 0.5km, use the parking area opposite the hotel, and stroll back along the road.
Above: Stob Ghabhar can be seen on the left with Ben Toaig (834m), directly behind the lodge. This rounded hill is linked to Stob a` Choire Odhair, the traditional `first peak` in the south to north traverse with Stob Ghabhar, Clachlet and Sron na Creise taken in on the way to Meall a` Bhuiridh at the Glencoe ski-centre.
Above: This is a telephoto shot of Stob Ghabhar from the West Highland Way. The mountain`s Aonach Eagach Ridge is the one on the right of the bowl shaped corrie. The Inveroran Hotel, a popular West Highland Way`watering-hole` can be seen amongst the trees, bottom right. There is a walkers` car park just beyond the hotel and once across the Abhainn Shira, follow the track on its north bank to the `Green Shed` at Clashgour, a corrugated structure that previously served as the local schoolhouse. It`s now a private mountaineering club hut. A path leads off on the right and climbs alongside the Allt Toaig, giving access to either Stob Ghabhar or Stob a ` Choire Odhair. (to edit*)
Above: Stob Ghabhar can be seen on the left with Ben Toaig (834m), directly behind the lodge. This rounded hill is linked to Stob a` Choire Odhair, the traditional `first peak` in the south to north traverse with Stob Ghabhar, Clachlet and Sron na Creise taken in on the way to Meall a` Bhuiridh at the Glencoe ski-centre.
Above: This is a telephoto shot of Stob Ghabhar from the West Highland Way. The mountain`s Aonach Eagach Ridge is the one on the right of the bowl shaped corrie. The Inveroran Hotel, a popular West Highland Way`watering-hole` can be seen amongst the trees, bottom right. There is a walkers` car park just beyond the hotel and once across the Abhainn Shira, follow the track on its north bank to the `Green Shed` at Clashgour, a corrugated structure that previously served as the local schoolhouse. It`s now a private mountaineering club hut. A path leads off on the right and climbs alongside the Allt Toaig, giving access to either Stob Ghabhar or Stob a ` Choire Odhair. (to edit*)
Loch Dochard info*
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Although difficult to make out in these rather poor quality scans from 35mm slides, a line of climbers is heading up distant Stob Ghabhar`s Aonach Eagach Ridge while another group descend from Stob a` Choire Odhair,
Years ago, not long after I started hillwalking, if any one had asked how my day went and I`d replied "Great. I even met Tom Weir at the top", they would just have assumed I was being sarcastic - but I did meet him on the summit of Stob Ghabhar and I even have the photo to prove it! I took this shot of the well-known climber, author and broadcaster eating his`piece` on 29 December 1984, after he made the climb to celebrate his 70th birthday! The Scots Magazine used one of the photos shot by his companion for the front cover of their next edition. Sadly, Tom passed away on 6 July 2006. |
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The steep face of Stob Ghabhar and headwall of the corrie Coirein Lochain with its double buttress. The narrow cleft is the famous Couloir, a well documented ice route that is a notorious avalanche trap. Tom Weir was one of its victims, but luckily he got away with broken bones. Others have not been so fortunate. (to edit*)
These shots show the view north from the summit of Stob Ghabhar. A long, fairly level ridge known as the Aonach Mor, is followed for a time which takes walkers round the head of Coire Ba. You leave the ridge and keep to the corrie rim which leads on to Clachlet with the other two Munros beyond. Two walkers can be seen at the start of the Aonach Mor. Ben Nevis is in the background. (to edit*)
These shots show the view north from the summit of Stob Ghabhar. A long, fairly level ridge known as the Aonach Mor, is followed for a time which takes walkers round the head of Coire Ba. You leave the ridge and keep to the corrie rim which leads on to Clachlet with the other two Munros beyond. Two walkers can be seen at the start of the Aonach Mor. Ben Nevis is in the background. (to edit*)
When harsh winter weather bites, Red Deer usually congregate near the Inveroran Hotel and are quite approachable.
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A distant view of Stob Ghabhar and the Black Mount from ?*
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Stob a` Choire Odhair
STOB A` CHOIRE ODHAIR (943m)
Various dates
Various dates
Stob a` Choire Odhair is the distant peak just right of centre in this view taken from the A82 on a mid-summer`s day.
The Black Mount Traverse
Above: Heading north towards the Glen Coe peaks on a fine Spring day. The best way to do the full traverse is if there are two groups, starting from opposite ends, each with their own transport. It`s then just a case of meeting in the middle - and remembering to exchange car keys! Photo caption below*
A distant view of the Black Mount peaks from the Bridge of Orchy hills.
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Creise & Meall a` Bhuiridh
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CREISE (1100m)
MEALL A` BHUIRIDH (1108m) Monday 4 July 1988 This pair of mountains are the highest points at the northern end of the great range of peaks that form the Black Mount on the western edge of Rannoch Moor. Although winters in Scotland have been comparatively mild in recent years, Meall a` Bhuiridh can hold snow well into summer and as a result it is one the country`s principal ski areas. There is a restaurant near the summit which can be reached via a chair-lift for any non-skiers just wishing to get up quickly and admire the view. I climbed both these hills together on the above date, starting from the Kingshouse Hotel, having taken in Meall a` Bhuiridh on its own previously as part of the Black Mount Traverse. This shot of Creise was taken from Stob Ghabhar in winter. |
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