The Mamores: Binnein Beag (230), Binnean Mor (27), Na Gruagaichean (74) and Sgurr Eilde Mor (123)

Walk date: 18/09/05
My Munro #'s: 54, 55, 56 and 57

Binnean Beag from the Aonachs walk:


Binnean Mor and that wall of rock:


The path, that's path, to Na Gruagaichean:


Sgurr Eilde Mor from the west:


9 hours. This was a very big day out! The approach along Glen Nevis from the usual car park was extremely boggy once past the Steall ruin; the going was very slow. Having never found a path up Binnean Beag, I set off on a direct ascent up steep heather slopes. Hard rain started once on the exposed summit and led to this day's first considerations re: turning back. Nevertheless I carried on to be greeted with an intimidating route up Binnean Mor from the col. However, this was merely a starter as it got more intimidating about 150m below the summit when it turned into some meaty scrambling with some decent drops around. Expletives were sounded when I was met with a seemingly solid wall of rock! It should be noted though that the conditions were heavy, wet cloud and that always leads to doomsday interpretations, for myself anyway! In any case, as long as nerve is kept on this route it is actually ok, at least in the absence of snow! This hill finishes in a short sharp ridge, but with a path just below the crest to avoid buffeting if the wind is problematic as it was on this day. Na Gruagaichan was a dream after what had gone before; a straightforward walk along a path! On the way over to Sgurr Eilde Mor look for the descent to the loch on the northern edge of the buttress as it is easy to miss despite the cairn. Sgurr Eilde had a path up and so was finr but a bit sharp in places. After taking in all the hills there then begins the very long descent to Tom an Eite and the massive stomp back down Glen Nevis. Start early and have the beer on ice!