THIS WEEK’S WALKS

LOCHABER AND LORN RAMBLERS

The walk leader is to be contacted before hand for meet-up and start times. Car sharing usually possible and people can try before they buy. Further information at www. lochaberandlorn-ramblers.org. uk. Lochaber and Lorn Ramblers Group can be contacted by email on info@lochaberandlorn-ramblers.org.uk.

Saturday May 12 Gearr Aonach and Coire Gabhail, Glen Coe

A delightful scramble up Gearr Aonach followed by a switchback ridge and descent through the ‘lost valley’ Coire Gabhail.

Park at the Glencoe Viewpoint car park at NN170568. Head off SE and follow the path down to cross the River Coe on a bridge just below the Meeting of Three Waters. The path rises to a point where it enters the gorge cut by the Allt Coire Gabhail. The path bifurcates here. Take the right fork, which is indistinct at first due to erosion, and scramble up easily. Follow the path SW for about 150m to WP NN169559. Leave the path and head W up a grassy slope towards the foot of the nose of Gèarr Aonach, to reach the start of a path at WP NN168560.

This zig-zags up the cliffs. At each turn of the path, there is a short but easy scramble, none of which is exposed. The path leads to the top of the spur overlooking Glen Coe. Head up SW to the summit of Gèarr Aonach, 692m, and continue to a plateau at the foot of the NE ridge of Stob Coire nan Lochan at NN156551.

From here, a broad ramp leads down SW below the crags on the right, and above the crags on the left. The route crosses a stony couloir and continues a descending traverse until the crags on the left give way to a steep grassy hillside. Continue the traverse to reach a burn at about NN154544 and follow it down to the Coire Gabhail path below. Follow this out NE to join the outward route back to the A82.

Grade: M+; Distance: 7km; Height to climb: 674m Map(s): LR41, EX384; Meet at Glencoe village car park at 9.30am. Start at 9.45am Leader: Andrew Gilbert 07808 924722. Thursday May 17

Meall Glas and Sgiath Chuill, Glen Dochart

A day out with long views. There is no competition for these two Munros, which dominate the moorland and lower hills of this large area between Glen Dochart and Glen Lochay.

Park on the S side of the A85 at a forestry road entrance about 500m E of Auchessan, NN453276. Take the private road across the River Dochart to Auchessan. There is a track to follow behind the house which disappears higher up. Continue up NNW heading for the col just to the east of the summit of Meall Glas, then around W to the summit itself, 959m. Leave Meall Glas by its eastern ridge, passing a prominent cairn at spot height 908m, then go NE to Beinn Cheathaich, 937m. To avoid a very steep descent to the east, head down N before then turning SE down the gentler slopes to the bealach. Ascend the steep grassy slopes opposite to Meall a’ Churain, 917m, then turn S along the almost level ridge to the summit of Sgiath Chuil, 921m. Descend SW to regain the outward route back to the start.

Grade: S; Distance: 16km; Height to climb: 1300m; Map(s): LR51, EX365; Meet at Longsdale car park. Oban, at 8.45am or Glencoe village car park at 9am. Start of walk at 10am. Leader: Graham Innes 01631 562290 or 07767 714503. NEVIS HILLWALKING CLUB Please see full walk details at www.nevishillwalking.club. If anyone would like to go out on the walk please contact club secretary Suzanne Theobald on 01397 701783 or email enquiries@ nevishillwalking.club.

Sunday May 13

Stob Choire Claurigh and Stob Coire an Laoigh, Spean Bridge. If possible drive up the rough track south from Corriechoille and park near the old tramway. Otherwise walk up from the parking by the river Spean at NN253806.

Follow the track through the trees and shortly after emerging into open ground, head right up the slopes of Ruigh na Gualainn, over Stob Coire Gaibhre (958m) and then up the north ridge of Stob Choire Claurigh. The ridge then undulates southwestwards over several more summits to Stob Coire an Laoigh and finally Stob Coire Easain (1080m).

From here the descent is northwards down Beinn na Socaich (1007m) and down into Coire Chiomlich, crossing the river above the tree line.

A track leads down from the small dam to the line of the old tramway which can be followed Northeastwards back to the start.

Distance: 16km; height to climb: 1300m. Suggested by Chris Tracey; coordinated by Clare McCabe.