Nevis and the Grey Corries includes Britain’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis (Beinn Nibhis), the mountains of Aonach Mor and Aonach Beag and the range of high hills which extend north east from Aonach Beag, between Glen Nevis and Glen Spean, to the high pass called the Laireag Leacach. They are commonly referred to as ‘The Grey Corries’ because they chiefly consist of grey quartzite. The ice shattered rocks in the north facing corries carry little vegetation, hence the uniformity of the grey aspect towards Glen Spean.
Ben Nevis is well know and because of its status as Britain’s highest mountain, is a very popular tourist attraction. Nevis is a ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ mountain. The gentle contours of its south face includes the busy ‘Tourist Path’ which the vast majority of people take to reach the summit. The North Face is entirely different, a huge rocky face, riven with steep corries and soaring butresses, where only serious and experienced climbers venture.
The majority of visitors to the summit never see the true nature of the mountain. Many only see a jumbled rocky plateau with cloud obscuring all the views. In good summer weather the tourist route provides a simple but tiring means for a fit person to safely reach the summit. In winter conditions it can prove very dangerous for anyone ill equipped and unskilled in navigation. Many lives have been lost and it is possible to be caught in blizzard conditions even in mid summer. Nobody should attempt to climb ‘The Ben’ as it is affectionately called, unless they have consulted all the detailed safety information that is freely available, or are accompanied by an experienced companion. Go to Ben-Nevis.com for more information.
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Ben Nevis & Càrn Mòr Dearg
Image Notes:
All the above images were taken between the 13th & 15th April 2010 using a Canon 5D Mk II. To obtain the early morning & late evening images (before and after sunrise and sunset) required camping just below the Meadhonach top of Carn Mor Dearg.
The Grey Corries & Loch Treig Hills
The Grey Corries run west to east along the south side of Glen Spean. This section includes the ‘Aonachs’ – Aonach Mòr and Aonach Beag plus Stob Coire Easain and Stob a’ Choire Mheadhoin. Two mountains, close to each other, located approximately 5km east of Stob Choire Claurigh, across the Lairig Leacach, popularly referred to as the ‘Easains’. They are bordered to the east by the deep cleft which includes Loch Treig. For convenience the Hills on the east side of Loch Treig are also included in this section.
