M74 | 1056 m. | 3465 ft.
Translation: The maidens
Pronuncation: na grooakeechan

Day 2 of our 2008 Scotland Hiking Weekend. Thomas had cooked us well in the evening and we let the evening end comfortably with beer and fire! We deserved that.

After we have hiked the day before the big shepherd we turned on 05.10 so to speak to our house mountains. The Mamores were right in front of our front door and we had a direct view of Na Gearanach, which means “the girls”. Also this day should remain memorable in several respects.

We saved some altitude meters and drove with the cars to the Mamore Lodge, where we could park against an acceptable final charge. Especially Thomas suffered from knees and muscles and every metre saved was just fine.

In a good mood and much more important – in the best weather – we marched off. Only Thomas didn’t, he shot off and soon had brought some hundred meters between himself and us. Something he had probably had a special breakfast, which we did not have. Nevertheless, we took the opportunity to explore the area around Kinlochlewen from a different perspective. The view of Loch Leven was as impressive as the appearance of the Blackwater Reservoir. But now we had to catch the horse again and point out to Thomas in time that the way would not continue to meander so idyllically towards Loch Eilde Mór, but that also today 2 Munros waited for the ambitious climber. And that meant, right, ascent.

We then crossed the terrain towards Sgor Eilde Beag on an excellent Stalkers Path, which opened up the steepest sections in serpentines. Here it showed that Thomas really suffered and had to bite his teeth together to survive here. A condition that unfortunately should not change during the whole day. Nevertheless we reached the first summit of the day, the 956 m high Sgor Eilde Beag, after about 1.5 hours. The first Munro was to be climbed about 1.5 h later. From here we hiked on the beautiful Ridge to the 1062m high Triangle-Top which led direktissma to Binnein Beag. Thomas secured as always the back flank and so we used the 3rd Munro of this holiday for an extensive meal, drinking and communication break. The view to the neighbouring mountains like Sgurr Eilde Mor was magnificent and Ring of Steall and Ben Nevis presented themselves flawless.

The excitement was great “how the girls were” and during the day the terrain proved to be challenging. It was chubby and very steep and demanded us repeated ascents and descents until we finally reached the 4th Munro of the 2008 campaign shortly before 2 pm. Congratulations combined with stretching and eating exercises completed the probably last Munro of this year. From now on it went downhill, first quite steeply, then again somewhat more leisurely. From Baerlach between Stob Core a´ Charin and Na Gruagachean we could again use a good path to descend into the valley. We came back to the track that led us to the mountain in the morning and arrived safely and exhausted at the Mamore Lodge. And now even the last skeptic realized that the 3 pounds were well invested!

A great tour: for the guys Munros No. 3 and 4. For Cord and me there are now 2 Mamroes-Munros left to bag. We are looking forward to it!


Description These three peaks are on the main spine of the Mamores near the middle of the range. Am Bodach and Na Cruagaichean are fine peaks, the former having a steep east face above Coire a' Chairn and the latter having two peaks connected by a short narrow ridge. Between them, Stob Coire a' Chairn is a much more modest peak, being little more than a rounded swelling at the point where a narrow ridge goes north to An Gearanach.These three peaks are best climbed from Kinlochleven. For those who want to save a little effort, it is possible to drive up to Mamore Lodge and park a car there for a small charge. Otherwise walk uphill from Kinlochleven by the West Highland Way and the access road to Mamore Lodge.From the lodge go west along the old road to Fort William for just over 1 kilometre and climb north-east to Sgor an Fhuarain and then north direct to Am Bodach. Descend north-east, very steeply at first, along the main ridge of the Mamores and cross a small knoll to reach Stob Coire a' Chairn. Continue south-east down a broad easy ridge to the col at the head of Coire a' Chairn where a stalker's path goes off down the corrie. Climb to the North-west Top of Na Gruagaichean and cross the gap to reach the highest point. Descend the south ridge for just less than 1 kilometre to its level part and then bear south-west down to the road at the foot of Coire a' Chairn. Return along this road to Mamore Lodge.