Stob Ban, 16th - 17th June 2012

Hoping to miss the "eye of the storm" of bad weather over most over northern Britain, myself Bruce, Gordon, Mark and Willy drove up to Spean Bridge to climb Stob Ban in the Grey Corries, and hopfeully find the Lairig Leacach bothy empty and so not have to use the tents! It did rain for most of the short walk in and after stopping to talk to a group walking back to their cars, we were lifted by the thought that (according to said group) , the bothy was indeed empty. 

The Lairig Leacach bothy comes into view and it's a race for the best bunk space!

As usual we had all carried one fire log each, plus a now unrequired tent, so we had no problem getting the fire going for most of the evening. There is bunk space for about 6 to 8 people depending how cosy you want to get and you could fit a couple on the floor, although that may be tight with all the kit. There are about 5 chairs and a long kitchen worktop where we put all the cooking and foodstuffs. Only one window and a skylight though, but with the long nights at the moment it never really got dark.      

After a few beers and a comfortable nights sleep we were treated to slightly better weather although it was still quite chilly. Our first hill of the day would be Stob Ban at 977m high, seen here behind the bothy. 

If you do use any of the mountain bothies, please take all your un-burnable rubbish with you and leave the place as clean and tidy as you can.

Looking back down to the Lairig Leacach bothy as we made our way up to Stob Ban.

From the top of Stob Ban, we descended north before climbing up to 1177m to the summit of Stob Choire Claurigh. On the way we were surprised to find quite large south facing snow pathces which were still quite hard. Not quite neve, but a slip would send you down a few metres!  

From Stob Choire Claurigh we headed north again along the short easy ridge to Stob Coire na Ceanain at 1123m. It was from here that the hill fog came in and any further views and photo opportunities were gone. Again we headed north along the rim of and then descending back to the cars.

On the way back we passed , once again the "" casting his eerie gaze over Lochaber.