Stob Ban (3278ft)

A pleasant sunny mornings drive from Glencoe to Fort William, then through Glen Nevis brought us to the start of the fourth walk, and the third Munro of the week.  Parking is available before Polldubh bridge, on the right, (smallish car park, though not marked on OS maps) with a small roadside parking area just over the bridge and right.

Looking back north along Glen Nevis

The walk started by crossing the style to the right of the one leading to the river bank path. Once over the style the track heads south and follows the Allt Coire a' Mhusgain climbing gently into the glen.  After a couple of hundred yards the path became a little indistinct and a ‘wee’ bit boggy.
(photo:  Looking back north along Glen Nevis)

It wasn’t long before we were between the ridges of Sgurr a Mhaim (left) and the 'craggy' slopes of Stob Ban.  Here the path started to move away from the banks of Allt Coire a' Mhusgain and gradually rose up the left side.
(photo: Stob Ban rising majestically ahead on the right.) 

Stob Ban rising majestically ahead on the right

waterfall

The path eventually turned up the hillside and zigzagged gaining height ..... however we missed the rather obscure left turn.  There is a path that continues to follow the course of Allt Coire a' Mhusgain, which we followed, and took us to an area that required careful negotiation past a gully.  Nice scenic waterfall close by.
(photo:  ...... if you get to see this you have missed the turn!)

Once back on the higher path, we continued to the foot of the pass below Stob Ban and Lochan Coire nam Miseach, then followed the winding path up to the pass. The route up Stob Ban looked rather daunting, very steep and rocky to the south, with a sheer drop to the north. As always, paths often look worse from a distance ...... however, a cautious approach was taken with the option of turning back if too exposed.  Route finding was not a problem as it was, yet again, a beautiful sunny day.
(photo: North face of Stob Ban from below the pass.)

North face of Stob Ban from below the pass

The steep south side of Stob Ban

The path climbed a steep bank before levelling out to the foot of the rocky section. From here it was a steep climb which, in a couple of places required the use of hands, though more for stability than scrambling.  However, there wasn’t any place where I felt exposed to the drops. (...... my 'head for heights' must be improving!)
(photo: The steep south side of Stob Ban)

On reaching the end of the rocky section, it was a walk up a small incline to the top of Stob Ban ..... and the third Munro of the week completed.  Another guy could be seen heading out to the ridge leading to Mullach nan Coirean, the first person we had seen since setting out.   So, it was time to sit in the sun and enjoy the peace and tranquility.
(photo:  Guess Who? .... with Ben Nevis in the background)

Guess Who? .... with Ben Nevis in the background

After lunch, and a few photos, it was on the feet and down the rocky path to the pass.  The ascent route was then followed back to Polldubh bridge and the car.
Again, glorious sunshine throughout an excellent days walk.

North side of  the approach to Stob Ban West Highland Way from the top Rocky descent from Stob Ban Glen Nevis from below Stob Ban
North side of  the approach to Stob Ban Looking south onto the West Highland Way Rocky descent from Stob Ban View north into Glen Nevis

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