Stob Coire na Ceannain close up

Caley and I climbed Stob Coure na Ceannain today. Nearly 3700 feet it is not, and never ever likely to be, a Munro and many walkers will miss it out on that basis. It's their loss. It is a relatively short addition, admittedly to what is likely to be a very long day, if some other combination of peaks in the Grey Corries are being climbed. We set off not so much with this being an addition to something else but this top being the focus of our outing; which still encompassed another two tops over 3000 feet none of which are Munros.

I should have mentioned the weather in opening. It has been another scorcher here in Lochaber and many wiser people would have reserved their exertions for a cooler day. I cannot lie. On the lower slopes which are actually the steepest part of the day the heat was overwhelming at times. However, you can wait a long time for a day off and such a clear conditions to coincide again.

To the hill; we climbed over Stob Coire na Gaibhre (goat) then made easy walking on the broad shoulder south.
Before reaching SCNC you reach another summit just 6 feet lower and the walk continues down and then up to the SCNC along a superb narrow ridge. The views all round by this time were impressive and while slightly hazy, much sharper than first thing. Looking south from the summit and about a thousand feet lower red deer were clearly feeling the heat and were taking refuge on the ever shrinking snow fields. Had they not taken up these cooling down points they would have been invible to the human eye.
Our intended route home had been planned as a reversal of the outward journey but to the north, and nestled deep beneath us, the little lochan of Coire na Ceannain sparkled in the sunshine. I was also sure Caley would welcome a refreshing swim. In truth the descent down in to the corrie is a little awkward on very steep ground but a feint path avoids most of the surrounding mobile scree. I have seen this loch from dozens of view points over the years and today was my firt visit. It is a truly idyllic spot. The water arrives at this lochan from a multidude of little springs high up on the surrounding slopes or the constant drip of the huge snow fields and remaining cornice above. The water is cold, crystal clear and tastes perfect. We spent a good thirty minutes here savouring the moment and Caley went for repeated swims. At this point, particularly after the previous steep pitch, I had it in my head we would be at 500 odd metres elevation but this loch is still at over 800m. It spends much of the winter frozen over. The obvious route home now was back to the Larig and off we went briefly stopping for an umpteenth photo.
Two months of blips in one day!
Stob Coire Na Ceannain