Off early to the same spot as for Albannaich, as per the book, this time a car was there before us. Two girls off to do the same hills as us. They were quickly way ahead of us. This time following the Ben Starav path after the bridge and taking the higher of paths at the first split then at the next split going straight up the NE ridge. The book says it is a long and unrelenting climb which it is though it does have quite a few sections where there is some relief from the steep slog. There is also a path the whole way. Half way up we were overtaken by a ghillie and two stalkers. He was the only one with a gun and was taking the others over towards Loch Etive. Very chatty and friendly, once he had confirmed we intended to do the ring using only the designated paths. Chances of getting a deer (older stags only) were about 50-50 and in answer to my question said that if they got one they would have to drag it themselves all the way down. The two "customers" were a bit taciturn and gave the
Coming off the top of Ben Starav down onto a ridge we were unexpectedly amazed to find ourselves on a very narrow rocky arête. The book says a narrow rocky ridge to Stob Coire Dheirg but normally this means a pleasant stroll. Not so here, it is a scramble over shattered rocks with the option of a bypass path - a bit like the CMD arête though much shorter. I was on the top before I realised it so continued along the rocks. Easy scrambling but the sticks kept getting in my way and what with stiff, creaky legs I was glad to get to the end of it. Well, almost the end as we reached a very prominent, eroded path going straight downhill into a wild, desolate corrie. There seemed no point to it unless it was the start of a path bypassing the top and going down to the bealach mentioned in the book. However, once on it
it seemed to be going nowhere so we had to contour the top on boulders before regaining the ridge. Could see the path to Beinn nan Aighenan but no way had we the energy to do this. Ahead we saw the two girls going up and were a bit surprised they seemed to be as slow as us. Now quite windy and wet this ridge seemed to go on for ever with some surprisingly long drops before the final climb to the summit. Misty and wet we stopped only for photos and then followed the path all the way on until it dropped down to the col between us and Stob Coir'an Albannaich. From here it was a long tiring but straightforward walk down the path to the car.
Final surprise of the day was to discover that the two girls were on the same campsite as us. The reason they had seemed to be slow on the ridge was that they had also taken in Beinn nan Aighenan. They had been quite surprised to find our car still there when they got back off the hills. Quite put us to shame.
Ben Starav from Sgor na h'Ulaidh
impression they did not wish to be held up talking to riffraff. We saw them once more higher up just as they were leaving the path. Eventually we got to the top after a climb up boulders near the summit. Far too long it took us, shows how badly fit we are - at least Graeme had an excuse but after climbing in June I hadn't expected to be so slow. Lunch and nice views, despite the mist and occasional rain.
