Stob Ghabhar

Driving along the A82 on the western edge of Rannoch Moor, on a clear winters day, who can help but notice the Stob Gabhar group. The remote and snow filled corries seem almost unreachable as peaty lochans block direct access from the road. This fine and complex group has much to offer the walker and mountaineer alike, with lots of ridges radiating from the summit of Stob Ghabhar, which sits high above the eastern corrie (Coire Ba). The most famous climb in this coire is The Upper Couloirs(Grade II), it was first climbed in 1897 and even today it remains a classic. Great care is required particularly lower down in approach to the climb as the slopes are highly avalanche prone. Views from this group are excellent, the great bowl of Rannoch Moor being most prominent to the east, the Glencoe and Etive peaks dominate the skyline to the north. We also are rewarded by an excellent look at the back of the Ben Cruachan group to the west. The best approaches to the area are from Victoria Bridge which is situated about 5 miles from the main A82 - Crianlarich to Fort William road - turning just after the Bridge of Orchy Hotel.

Crossing the Aonoch Eagach of Stob Ghabhar.

Stob Ghabhar - Facts and Figures

Distance : 12 miles

Total Ascent : 4000ft

Time : 7 - 8 hrs

Route Grading : A route that is at its best in winter. The ridge along Aonach Eagach requires care, as a large cornice can form. In summer the route is a fine standard day out.

Accommodation : Clashgour (Glasgow University MC) hut near Victoria is fine but cramped little building (8 in comfort, 25+ in claustrophobia), the stove is a bit smoky!! Hotels at Inveroran (Closed Winter) and Bridge of Orchy (Recently refurbished).

Summits Visited In Our Route

	Gaelic Name	Translation	Height (ft)	Height (m)	Status
	Stob a'Choire Odhair	Peak of the Dun Corrie	3058ft	947m	Munro
	Aonach Eagach	Notched Ridge	3272ft	991m	Top
	Stob Ghabhar	Peak of the Goats	3565ft	1087m	Munro

Maps

	Publisher	Scale	Title / No
	Ordnance Survey	1:50000	Sheet 50
	Ordnance Survey	1:63360	Ben Nevis & Glen Coe
	Bartholomew's	1:100000	Sheet 48

Sketch Diagram showing Stob Ghabhar route © Cameron Johnston 1997

The walk starts off gently enough with a fine level walk along the land rover track which leads to Glen Kinglass and Clasgour (GUM) hut. The remote Munro Beinn nan Aighenan is at the western end of the glen and can be reached from here on a long but rewarding day out. At this point a well engineered stalkers paths turns and follows the Allt Toaig into the heart of this group. At about 1200ft a much narrower path branches right and starts to ascend a distinct ridge. In winter this path will probably be buried in snow, but a trail of previous visitors should still lead up this way. After a steady plod our first summit is reached, from here we gain a first class view of Stob Ghabhar and its impressive corrie, the Upper Couloir should be visible too.

When conditions dictate, particularly in the winter months when the Sun sits low in the sky, and low cloud and mist are below, you may encounter a most fantastic sight. The rare sight of the 'Brochen Spectre'. The spectre is in fact your own shadow cast upon the cloud, creating a circular rainbow with the shape of person inside. The first time I saw this excellent sight I was quite taken a back as the spectre followed me along a ridge. I have been lucky to have seen the Brochen on quite a few occasions including one on the summit of Stob a Choire Odhair.

A Brochen Spectre seen from the summit of Stob a'Choire Odhair.

A steady descent leads down to a wide col between the two peaks. The ridge leading up to Stob Ghabhar is steep and is taken from above the Coire Ba side. Crampons may well have to be donned as this slope can bank out and is also prone to icing. Eventually the crest of the ridge is reached and the following section along the Aonach Eagach is the highlight of the day. The ridge narrows and care is required, but there is no real difficulty unlike the 'Ridges' more famous 'namesake' along the road in Glencoe. A small step is passed with some splendid drops on both sides, and once again the ridge widens but steepens and soon leads to our highest point of the day Stob Ghabhar. A fine circular cairn marks the summit and provides a bit of shelter from cold winter winds and is an ideal spot for a bite to eat and a drink from the flask.

Descent is made by retracing our steps down to a point just before the Aonach Eagach. Here we turn south and descend a broad ridge that leads steadily down with no problems. The track in Glen Kinglass is reached and the short walk out to Victoria Bridge end another memorable day. The more energetic have the option of continuing onward to visit the other tops of Stob Ghabhar.