Buachaille Etive Mor Traditional Cache

The cache is hidden at the top of Stob Dearg at a height of 1021m or 3349ft giving it Munro status. The views from the cache site (on a clear day) are extensive with the mountains of Glen Coe, the Mamores, Ben Nevis, the Grey Corries, Schiehallion across Rannoch moor and the Lawers Range all well within view. That said getting to the site is no mean feat and in the summer should be regarded as strenuous but in the winter requires real mountaineering experience. The main path for walkers is through Coire na Tulaich which is steep and when filled with snow is prone to avalanches. In January 2009, sadly 3 mountaineers died due to an avalanche in the corrie so please do not attempt this cache unless you are experienced.

Parking is available at Altnafeadh on the A82 (56°39.881'N, 4°54.324'W) and from here you should follow the path towards the climbers’ cottage. After the cottage take the right fork in the path, cross the burn and continue up into Coire na Tulaich where the path continues up the west side of the corrie. There are a few rocky steps on this path which will require you to use your hands but nothing of any major difficulty. Continue on up the path which aims towards the lowest part of the ridge above until you reach a rocky ‘stairway’ which will require some mild scrambling and will bring you out onto the broad ridge where all difficulties end. From here bear East and head up the obvious path to reach the cache, the summit, the cairn and views like you wouldn’t believe!!

If the cache and Stob Dearg is your only goal then the return journey can be made by carefully retracing your steps; however for a real day out, a walk to the other end of the ridge is well worth the trip. There is a path all the way which will take you across two subsidiary Munro tops and one Munro, Stob na Doire, Stob Coire Altruim and Stob na Broige respectively. If you are doing the ridge walk then there is a cairn in the bealach between Stob na Broige and Stob na Doire which marks a path which heads North into the Glen and runs all the way back to the A82 and the car park. This Glen is very boggy however so wearing gaiters is advisable.

The traverse and return of the ridge is a long walk so please plan your route and make sure you have the right equipment and enough time to complete it. In total it is probably about nine miles long (ascending and descending) and when I placed the cache I was with two friends who were not hill walkers; it took us six and a half hours to complete. If you are in any doubt about attempting this cache please feel free to contact me first and I can give you more detailed information.

Please be aware that in good conditions this is still a strenuous walk but in bad conditions extreme care should be taken as it can be very dangerous. Weather conditions can change in a matter of minutes and all the usual warnings apply when walking up munros. The following points should be observed (Thanks Snaik!)

You are responsible for your own safety.
Are you fit enough to complete your chosen walk in the available time?
Know where you are going on the walk and follow the route on your map.
If in a Group know how many are in your party and stay together, never split up.
Ensure you have enough food plus emergency rations
Carry a map & compass, survival bag, torch, whistle and small first aid kit. Know how to use them.
In severe winter conditions you must carry an ice axe. You are also recommended to carry crampons.
Learn how to use your equipment
Cold temperatures will reduce the life of your batteries

Please leave your route with a responsible person.