I was on my way home after spending a week hill walking from my base in Glencoe Village so I decided to climb the Munro, Sgurr Choinnich Mor, before making the journey. I left my vehicle in the parking area at the head of Glen Nevis, accessed from Fort William, and walked along the path through the Steall Gorge passing an area where there had been a recent landslip. The path continued across The Meadows, passing the Steall Waterfall, then along the north side of the Water of Nevis.
Beyond the Steall Ruin improvements to the path ended replaced by a rough track, wet in places. Here I passed three chaps who were planning to stalk some deer hinds on the southern slopes of Sgurr a’ Bhuic. On reaching the Allt Coire a’ Bhuic I left the path and followed a wet and muddy walker’s route up the side of the stream then towards Sgurr Choinnich Beag.
I had planned to avoid ascending this Munro Top, which I’ve climbed before, so worked my way below its south face making my way through some rough vegetation and a few boulders. This took me to the col with Sgurr Choinnich Mor where there was a strong cold wind blowing.
I ascended Sgurr Choinnich Mor’s snow covered south-west ridge to gain the summit cairn. It was also windy here so after taking a few photographs I returned to the start by the upward route.
- Time taken – 6.75 hours.
- Distance – 16.75 kilometres.
- Height climbed – 1230 metres.