Hill: Beinn Mhic Chasgaig
Date: Saturday 30th January 2010
Company: Myself and Beinn
Time: 5Hrs 10Mins
Dog friendly: May depend on dog (Stile and Narrow bridge to cross)

I parked near the gate at Alltchaorunn where there is room for a few cars. My feet were suffering with blisters after Ben Donich the day previous, so I opted to wear my comfier three season boots and leave the crampons in the car.

Stob Dubh from bridge over River Etive:


After passing through the gate and using the by-pass path to avoid the house, I followed the path alongside the Allt a'Chaorainn.

Allt a'Chaorainn:


Stob Dubh:


After reaching the junction of burns I spotted the plank bridge. I was surprised at how high this bridge was above the water.

Plank bridge over the Allt Coire Ghiubhasan:


Have to say Beinn wasn't too happy at crossing this bridge but all credit to him he eventually crossed it albeit very slowly. (On the way back he was even more apprehensive about crossing it!)

Plank bridge:


After crossing the bridge we ascended about 30m and followed a path above the Allt Coire Ghiubhasan gorge.

Following the path above gorge:


On reaching the mass of boulders at the base of the gorge leading to Coire Aiteil, we crossed the burn. On placing my foot on the rock in the middle of the burn, I didn't realise it had a coating of ice. Into the burn I went!

Gorge leading to Coire Aiteil:


Ascent of Beinn Mhic Chasgaig:


Looking back down Allt Coire Ghiubhasan:


The initial ascent of Beinn Mhic Chasgaig, to the right of the gorge, was straight-forward but steep.

Ascent of Beinn Mhic Chasgaig:


Looking across to Buachaille:


Stob Dubh ridge:


The upper slopes of Beinn Mhic Chasgaig were very tricky wearing summer boots. There were stretches of ice with a large drop to the gully below. I tried to avoid as much of the ice as possible and had to cut quite a number of steps in the unavoidable parts using my axe. While this was time-consuming it did remind me that while crampons are useful there are other ways and means.

Near top of Coire Aiteil:

Buachaille above ridge of Beinn Mhic Chasgaig:


View of surrounding hills:


View of surrounding hills:


Beinn:


Buachaille Etive Mor:


Stob na Broige:


View of surrounding hills:


View of surrounding hills:


We didn't hang around at the top for long, just long enough to remove some of the ice balls from between Beinn's foot pads.

Beinn at summit of Beinn Mhic Chasgaig:


We re-traced our footprints on the way back such that I could re-use the already cut steps through the icy sections. A nice day out.