Explore and Adventure will find you!
Bivi that Buachaille Baby
It was the weekend before having to go back to work. That means five weeks away from the two things I love most, Mrs OTATScotland and our adventure playground.
The weather has been astonishingly good to us this past couple of weeks and was set to continue for another few weeks, for Scotland this is almost unheard of. Sadly, I’ll not be about to take further advantage of it, for now ! The one saving grace is that when I’m home next we have some mega exciting adventures planned.
Back to this little cracker though. I picked up Mrs OTATScotland from work at 17:00hrs, she was out on the dot! From there we had to hit the dreaded Edinburgh city bypass. To our amazement we had a free run, no holdups at all. The signs were looking good for a special weekend and that’s exactly what it turned out to be.
We managed to get up to the carpark at Altnafeidh, bottom of the mighty Buachaille or Stob Dearg to be a little more specific given that the plan was to bivi on top of this magnificent mound of adventure rock! The full plan was to ascend by Coire na Tulaich the normal and less treturous route. As we were due to arrive at around 20:00hrs this would give us plenty of time to scamper up just in time to find a comfortable rock to set our asses on and take in the sunset!
Arrival, lets get started
We turned off the road (A82) and into the area we were going to park. I thought we’d head down closer to the bridge to park Hamish. This turned out to be a bit of bad judgement. As I drove Hamish down the track I went over a small rock mound and managed to catch the runner board on a rock, denting it on the underside. Doh, Hamish is my pride and joy and I’d hurt him! Mrs O didn’t say anything, she just looked at me knowing I’d be calling myself all sorts nasties in my head, actually it was out-load and in my head!
Once I’d dried my eyes we kitted up and hit the trail. Conditions were perfect, a gentle breeze to keep the little unmentionables away, it was a little warm but manageable! We never carry more water than we need and use a combination of MSR Quick shot water filter and Hydrapak Stash 1L collapsible drink bottles to filter what we need. Normally, we keep filling up as we go but the recent weather would have surely dried up many water sources. It’s a good tip to do a thorough map analysis to identify potential water sources. That said, I’d suggest never to get high expecting there to be water during extended periods of dry weather, even in Scotland. The first sign that the route was going to be dry was the first water crossing which is normally a little tricky to cross on account of the normal water levels, there was almost zero flow. I made the decision to fill up early and drag it up the trial. Turned out to be the correct call.
Taking no chances, fill up time.
Not much water around
We plodded on up the trail, the dropping sun gradually hiding itself behind the mountains. Lisa was feeling it on the route up tonight but always positive, MOSTLY! I have a habit of trying to encourage, motivate or moan at the wrongs times. She was doing well after a long week sat in the office, I said well done and keep pushing on which probably sounded a little patronising, I was given “the look” you know the one, the one that says a thousand words without audio! I just didn't want to miss the sunset but I zipped it from here on.
We had a lovely moment as we carried on up the trail. A stag was stood watching us, not worried about the patronising weirdo in the yellow pants and his partner in crime. He just stood and watched us. Photo time, I’m sure he was trying to present his best side! I turned around to see a number of other stags silhouetted over on the side of the mountain. The picture doesn’t do it justice but I’m sure a proper photographer would have had a moment of panic to capture that shot.
Spot the stag.
We crested the bealach and began to ascend the less steep terrain along the ridge to the summit of Stob Dearg, the highest of the two Munros on the Buachaille at 1022 metres, I love this little part of the route, not sure why, just do! As we arrived at Stob Dearg two climbers had just finished a route up the more sporting side of this impressive massif. They too had planned to spend the night on the mountain. After we helped with some pictures for them they headed off into the distance. I hope we hadn’t altered their plans to stay there when we arrived!
From the bealach to the bivi site
We found the area we were going to sleep at, now there is a little circular windbreak which would have been good to stay in but it was a little small for the both of us. We unpacked our bivi and sleeping bags and laid them out. This setup is ideal for the kind of adventure we were on. Lightweight and less bulky than a tent in the majority of cases but there are a number of points to be aware of. It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on a good bivibag, there will always be a certain amount of moisture/condensation thats created whilst you are sleeping. Another consideration is that unless you have a bag that has a mesh vent you may need to cocoon yourself in your bag to escape the dreaded midge and cleg, more condensation! Top tip, always try to ensure there’s a wind of around 10mph forecast, this is the best way to combat the assault of the insect! We had worked to that plan and were largely left alone. There were a couple of moments where the breeze dropped and we found ourselves becoming supper, that was however short lived though.
The sun was heading for bed and it was spectacular! The colours around us were changing continually. We had brought two small bottles of wine with us to toast the end of the day, so popped those open and sat in the orange glow! Isn’t it funny how you begin to reflect and reenergise on everything during these moments! Life’s not so bad, until Monday morning !
It was around 23:30hrs now, Mrs O had stripped off and jumped into her sleeping quarters for the night. It had been a long busy week for her and I could see that she was tired. I on the other hand was still running around the ridge like a little boy taking in the view of the mountains across to the Ben and other mountains. The moon was also providing light and colour for the continuing great views, it never really got dark!
I had eventually forced myself to get into my sleeping bag, Mrs O was purring away in the land of nod. The ground underneath was quite rocky but the sleeping mats had provided a good buffer between rock and butt so it was very comfortable. We were far enough from the edge not to be taking a bivibag skydive and no need to construct any protection.
I had just drifted into a light sleep when I thought I heard voices, I peaked out but didn’t see anything, it must have been the normal voices I have in my head ! A few minutes later, again distant voices. This time when I looked out I could see two head-torches, a quick glance at my watch told me it was around 0130hrs. The two figures came closer, they were easy to see, not just because of the head-torches but the really bright moon was helping them navigate the ridge towards us. The two excited voices stopped just short of us and took in the views. The next morning the same two guys came back along and apologised if they had woken us, it really wasn’t a problem, the night was so awesome you couldn’t blame anyone for exploring it! They had actually noticed us in the night and decided not to disturb us which I thought was really polite of them, not that we’d have minded if they did.
The long awaited cloud inversion
After a couple of hours sleep the alarm on my phone rang out, it was now 04:30hrs and time to drag our asses out of bed and see what sunrise was going to bring. When I say ASTONISHING, I mean it! The sun was cracking the earths shell and giving us thee most powerful and slightly emotional sunrise we could have wished for. Now, to say I’ve been excited and waiting for a perfect cloud inversion for quite some time would be an understatement! We were being treated to a full show of sunrise whilst sat on top of the clouds. I set up the GoPro for a sunrise time lapse which would include some incredible cloud manoeuvres, they were traveling along Rannoch Moor twisting around the below mountains like a gigantic white silk scarf.
Whilst being treated to this show of wonderful weather we struck up the Jetboil and began preparing breakfast and most importantly coffee. This really only consisted of boiling water for our Summit to Eat meals and the coffee that Brodie’s kindly supplied us. Water boiled, throw it in the food pouches and cups and it was back to the show unfolding below and in front of us. We had finished breakfast and began getting everything securely packed away when we noticed a number of others heading towards us. They were also treated to an awesome sight, I felt a little sorry for them, if they had managed to get here just thirty minutes earlier they’d have had an even better view of the show.
Seeing is believing, check this out...
Film clip
Time to get off the hill
A final check of our bivi area to ensure there was no trace of where we had been and it was time to head towards the bealach. We weren’t going down the same way, the plan was to head to Stob na Doire and down the bealach. From here we descend using the path to the Lairig Gartain. We had only a small amount of water left so I wanted to get a resupply as soon as possible, it was getting warm again! There were a few pools of stagnant water around but a flowing water source is always the preferred option. We had enough to get to where I had identified on the map, if that was dry we would still have enough to get to where there was guaranteed water.
We hit the top of Stob na Doire and once again the view was spectacular down Glen Etive. A short break there then down the loose gravel path towards the Lairig Gartain. It would have been good to have bagged Stob na Brioge but we weren’t going to push it given the water situation. I was also mindful of my second concern when parking where I did. It was the holidays and weather was “braw” (good Scottish word that!) and I’ve seen that carpark getting very very busy and cars being trapped inside the tight tracks, that wasn’t going to happen to us, I hoped!
After suffering the normal toe bashing, knee jarring and disco legging that accompanies a steep and slightly tricky surface underfoot, we dropped into the Glen where our guaranteed water source was, filled up and washed the sweat and Skin So Soft off and then set about rehydrating. It wasn’t far back to the start point now along the trail, a really pleasant walk after that descent.
From a distance we could see the carpark filling up but not as much as I’d feared. There was plenty of space to get out and I was even able to get out the track without hurting Hamish any further.
STOP! ...As I sit here writing this blog on the plane back to work I have just been reminded by the cabin steward that it’s my birthday today, a nice gesture of some champagne which I politely declined. On the way home, that would have been a very different answer! Thanks anyway KLM.
Back to the important stuff...
It was only 08:30hrs, the whole day lay ahead but the plan was to go and relax and enjoy the weather. We had booked the campsite at Invercoe so we drove through Glencoe trying not to run over a tourist and headed to Ballachulish for some shopping and wine before going to the site! It was our first time at the site and I have to say it was pretty good. We had arrived pretty early but that didn’t seem to be a problem as our space was reserved for us. It was great to get set up so we could relax. Hot, sweaty and all that warrior adventurous stuff we headed for the showers.....splish, splash, scrubba-dub-dub.... brush, brush, poop, poop and we both sprung out of the shower block like new people, you know that feeling! It was then time to sunbathe surrounded by the magnificent views of Beinn a' Bheithir, Bidean nam Bian, the Pap of Glencoe and Loch Leven.. awww to many to mention, you get the idea.
Space 31 - Invercoe Campsite
Top tip if you use this site, book space 31, it’s on the end of a row, uninterrupted views of the loch and mountains, no one can park in front of you and it’s close enough to the toilets and showers to be convenient without having to listen to the shower singers! One wee issue though is that it’s a bit close to those that like to smash bottles into a trillion bits when depositing them in the recycling, we could live with that as the positives trashed the negatives!
Did I just end that on a negative note, it’s not really!
Actually, not quite the end, WAKE UP! Okay this is the end now, I promise......
To wrap this up, this is an adventure that can be done even if you only have a short window of opportunity. Let’s say that from leaving Hamish at 20:00 to returning at 08:30 the next morning, that’s only 12’30 hrs of your life and look what you’ve achieved! Okay, add on your travel time, but it’s a winner, don’t you think !?
THE END...
Learning Points
Park closer to the main road at the start of the route.
Be mindful of the rocky track at Altnafeidh it could hurt your chariot.
Winter and wet conditions in the parking area could be, will be, an issue.
Take an extra empty bottle during hot weather.
If out longer, add some electrolytes to your first aid kit.
Smidge and Skin so Soft work but not as good as a breeze around 10mph.
Mark several water sources on your map.
Be mindful that some high water sources may not be there in hot dry conditions.
Pre Book pitch 31 if you fancy using the campsite (worked well for us).
Route Map
Route approx. 6.5 miles
Some of our Kit
We don’t have sponsorship so not plugging anyone, its just to avoid you having to ask the question.
Sleeping Mats - NeoAir Xlite | Inflatable Camping Air Mattress | Therm-a-Rest
Stove - Jetboil
Food - Summit to Eat
GoPro - Hero6
Drone - DJI
Water filter - MSR Quick Shot
Water Bottle - Hydrapak Stash 1L collapsible drink bottles (Backcountry Scotland sells them)
Bivibags - Rab and The North Face
Mapping - OS......and a bag full of adventurous spirt - free!
Now that you have read it all, you can watch it here..
We hope you enjoyed the film.
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www.OTATScotland.co.uk
Explore and Adventure will find you!