The Aonachs Traverse
Trip Start
May 26, 2012
1
6
12
Trip End
Jun 03, 2012
Fort William, Scotland, United Kingdom
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
forecast and left a car at the bottom gondola station at Aonoch Mor and all
drove round to Glen Nevis. The walk up the valley was a bit midgy at first,
then the valley opened up as we came to the falls of Steall
and we had a little breeze. The cloud base was gradually lifting and we reached
the ruins of Steall. From there we diverted up the Allt Coirenan Loagh; warm
work with several stops. The path petered out as we rounded up a steep grassy
slope to gain the base of Sgurr a Bhuic. From there across the valley to the
beallach with great views across to the mamores and the grey corries. The track
went up at the side of the cliffs to Stob Coire Bhealaich with dramatic views
of the Aonach Beag cliffs with snowy cornices and dramatic clouds.
The route continued up along
the cliffs of Aonoch Beag onto the summit 1234m with a few tantalising views of
the C M D arrete through the cloud. The path descended onto the Beallach
steeply and then a gradual ascent to Aonoch Mor 1221m the lower but larger of
the 2 Munros. There were fine views all
around as we continued heading North along the ridge towards the ski station.
Here we joined a mess of fences and ski tows and had a difficult steep descent
in mist and a little drizzle at times which quickly stopped. We did see some
ptarmigan and mixed winter/summer plumage and a few grouse. We were not sure about the descent from the
gondola station, although it turned out that there is an excellent mountain
bike descent track to follow. However, and even better, we hit the gondola
station about 15 seconds before the advertised closing time and had a free lift
down!
