Stob Bàn

Stob Bàn is a 999-metre Munro at the western end of the Mamores ridge in the Scottish Highlands. It stands five and a half kilometres north-west of Kinlochleven, its sharp peak capped with white quartzite that can look like snow. The mountain’s Gaelic name means White Peak or Light Coloured Peak. From lower Glen Nevis it presents a distinctive outline against the skyline. Dalradian rocks form its slopes, recognised by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee as an important geological site. Another Munro called Stob Bàn exists in the Grey Corries, so the name is not unique. The mountain has three main ridges. The east ridge links to Sgor an Iubhair via Coire a’ Mhusgain, the western ridge joins Mullach nan Coirean, and the northern ridge drops steeply to Glen Nevis. A fourth ridge offers a quick descent to the West Highland Way for walkers coming from the south. Stob Bàn can be climbed as part of the Highland High Way, a high-level alternative to the West Highland Way. The final day’s route often passes over several Mamores peaks when the weather is fine. The north-eastern face has crags that fall over 400 metres to Coire a’ Mhusgain, giving the mountain its classic pyramidal shape. Winter ice climbers are drawn to the buttresses on the northern ridge. South Buttress has several gullies, Central Buttress offers three gullies, a rocky rib and an arête. The usual start is at Achriabhach in Glen Nevis, where a stalkers’ path leads up Coire a’ Mhusgain. The north ridge route includes a false summit at 900 metres that is often mistaken for the top. From the true summit, Ben Nevis and the Aonachs are clearly visible.