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Ben Starav
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Map
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Photos
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| The hulk of Ben Starav dominates the southern end of Glen Etive. This excellent route takes you on a delightful, airy circuit culminating in the spiky arete between Ben Starav and Stob Coire Dheirg. |
| Area: |
Central Highlands
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Grade:
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Ungraded (hard) what does that mean? |
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Total Distance:
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13 km
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Total Ascent:
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1100 m
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Time:
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6 hours
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| Maps: |
Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 Sheet 41
Ordnance Survey Explorer Explorer 384 and 387 1:25,000 (half on each!)
Harvey Glen Coe Map 1:25,000
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| Avalanche hazard: |
Mainly safe although the descent slopes into the corrie could give trouble after heavy snow. |
| Avalanche Forecast area: |
Glencoe. more |
| Tips: |
The road along Glen Etive is single-track and exposed in places. Avoid this in poor road conditions. |
| Alternatives: |
The day could be extended by taking in Glas Bheinn Mhor. |
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Start From the A82 South of Glencoe, take the small road along Glen Etive. Drive just over 10 miles, almost to the end of the road, before parking in a small parking bay on the roadside level with Coileitir cottage. Grid Reference NN137469 |
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Approach Go through a gate just beyond the car park and follow a wide track that initially heads away from Ben Starav to cross the River Etive at a bridge. Walk past the cottage and stick to the path running parallel to the river for about 600m, where a large stream, the Allt Mheuran, is reached. Cross the Allt Mheuran via two adjacent bridges, about 150 metres upstream of the junction, and follow the left (W) bank to the foot of the NNE ridge of Ben Starav. |
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Ben Starav (1078m) Climb the broad NNE ridge which eventually narrows before the final pull to the summit. | Escape Route! | | You are now about half way round. The quickest ways down from here are to complete the route or return via the ascent route. |
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Stob Coire Dheirg (1028m) Follow a broader ridge SE to a further summit (Point 1068). Turn sharply left again (NE) where the ridge narrows to an exciting crest. This quickly takes you to the summit of Stob Coire Dheirg (NN131427). Take great care at this point to head east rather than continuing along the north ridge, which soon becomes precipitous. |
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Descent Follow the east ridge, dropping about 300 m in height, until the large col below Glas Bhein Mhor is reached . From the col, descend north into the corrie below, avoiding the steeper ground. Follow the left (W) bank of the stream (Allt nam Meirleach) until you regain your ascent route at the foot of the NNE Ridge. |
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Return Follow the path back to the car park. |
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