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Bidean nam Bian

Munro

Quick Facts
This is the height of the mountain above sea level. However, on the climb, it is the ascent that matters, i.e. the sum of all the uphill parts of the route.
Altitude
1150 m (3772 ft)

This is the standard notation used on Ordnance Survey Landranger maps.

Each reference consists of two letters identifying a 100,000 metre square block then three digits defining the Easting and finally the three digits defining the Northing with reference to the South West corner of the block.

NN166712 is the grid reference for the summit of Ben Nevis. Where you are given the map number ( For Ben Nevis = 41) it is acceptable to omit the two initial letters e.g. 166712. (Instructions on how to read the references are given on the OS maps).

Grid Ref.
NN14375421
An indication of this mountains height rank within its class. Where two mountains share the same height they are ordered alphabetically.
Stature
23 of 282 Munros
The number of ascent routes currently available on Munromagic.
Routes
1
Mountain names are usually in Gaelic, the native language of the Scottish Highlands, or have been derived from the old Scots and Norse languages. We give the most commonly accepted meaning, but accept that some of these are disputed.
Meaning
Pinnacle of the hills
 

The UK is covered by 204 Ordnance Survey Landranger 1:50,000 scale maps. Maps numbered 1 to 86 cover Scotland but for the highest mountains (Munros) only 23 maps are required. The name given roughly describes the area covered by the map.

OS Landranger Maps Required
  41   Ben Nevis, Fort William & Glen Coe
 

A description of the characteristics of the mountain including any hazards of which you should be aware.

 Description
Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamach are two peaks about 1km apart on a ridge running NW to SE from Glen Coe to Glen Etive. Collectively they have three ridges, running NE, the steep rocky ends of which are the Three Sisters which dominate Glen Coe.

Bidean nam Bian is the larger and more complex mountain. To the SE a steep ridge links to Stob Coire Sgreamach. To the NE a ridge leads to Stob Coire nan Lochan beyond which it splits to give two NE ridges, Aonach Dubh and Gearr Aonach, between which lies Coire nan Lochan.

The path into Coire nan Lochan facilitates an ascent of the grassy NW slopes of Gearr Aonach leading to the rocky E slopes of Stop Coire nan Lochan.

A further long ridge runs W turning NW to Stob Coire nam Beithe and on to An t-Sron to enclose Coire nam Beith. A well maintained path leads into this corrie from Glen Coe and once in the corrie, ascents can be made to the col between Stob Coire nan Lochan and Bidean nam Bian or the col between Stob Coire nam Beith and An t-Sron.

Hazards you may encounter on Bidean nam Bian include
 Steep slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Stony/rocky Slopes on or near ascent routes.
 Crags near summit.
 
General Considerations
 Temperature decreases by 1degree C for every 100m of ascent.
 Wind usually increases with altitude.
 Visibility can change markedly with cloud level.
 River/Stream levels can increase markedly in one day.
Picture Gallery for Bidean nam Bian

A selection of weather forecasts local to #GetMountain.Top_Name#.

Ordnance Survey digital maps are also available to members.

 Weather & OS Maps
West Highlands
by MWIS (PDF format)
West Highlands
by Met Office
Bidean nan Bian
by Metcheck
Bidean nam Bian Area Map
Legend  Munro  Corbett  Graham  English/Welsh Top  Accommodation

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 Where to Stay
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The summary information of one or more ascent routes that include Bidean nam Bian.

Click on the route title to load the full content for that route.

 Routes that include Bidean nam Bian
  Ascent Distance Time Including... Description Rating
1 1320 m 12.93 km 5 hrs Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach  This is a classic route relatively easy in summer, moderate in winter.  
 

Pictures submitted by members on the summit of Bidean nam Bian

 Baggers Gallery for Bidean nam Bian

Me and Scott at the top of Bidean!!

© Michael Yates

Image by Michael Yates

Summit Bidean nam Bian 12.07.11.

© Paul Burgess

Image by Paul Burgess

Nathan propping up Ben Nevis

© Nick Bulbeck

Image by Nick Bulbeck

the summit of Bidean nam Bian,myself and thomas 18.9.10

© iain watson

Image by iain watson
View All 34 Baggers Images for Bidean nam Bian
The logging section stores any entries for Bidean nam Bian in your own log. From here you can
  1. Add a route log entry that includes this mountain
  2. Write a full account of your route including photos
  3. Edit an existing log entry including uploading a GPX file or add a photo
  4. Delete your log entry
 Logging
Your Route Log
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Recently Climbed By
Niall Mckelvie on 09 Sep 2024
Kenny Mcneill on 09 Jul 2024

If a member has uploaded a tracklog as part of their personal route log and opted to share it then it will be presented here.

You can view a members route overlayed on an online map or download the KMZ file for use in Google Earth.

 Shared Members Track Logs
 
Bidean nam Bian
by Doug Tulloch
Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach
by Philip McLoone
Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach
by Douglas Mason
Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach
by David McSporran
Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach
by Kenny Mcneill

Post a few words about Bidean nam Bian or read what others have had to say.

 Comments
 
Showing the most recent 5 of 15 comments. Would you like to view all 15?
Liam O'Hagan
wrote on
November 10, 2008
2nd time round..still hard work but worth it..came out thru the lost valley this time, very steep descent initially over loose scree but settled down once nearer the valley, had to scramble over the boulders and cross the river in the dark..great fun.
Peter Lang
wrote on
September 1, 2008
Circuit over both Munros via lost valley and Coire nan Lochan on excellent made paths for majority of way.
Keith Scott
wrote on
October 31, 2007
Started to feel the chill of winter as I climbed ascending via Coire Nan Lochan. Louie (my dog) and I enjoyed the solitude that this route offered. Visibility was good untill the summit with the occasional shower.
John Wilkie
wrote on
May 11, 2007
The best mountain yet. Great scramble up to Lochan then an easy traverse up the ridge to Bidean. The massive buttress after Lochan is magnificent, seeing that is worth the climb alone. We continued (myself and my mate Marty) to summit Sgreamhach, an easy scramble at this time of year. Definately coming back in the winter as both mountains look more impressive and challenging at this time of year. Fantastic views over the Lost Valley. The descent can be tricky at all times of year, steep and hazardous. In winter it fills with snow and I can imagine avalanche conditions being prevelant.
Craig Robinson
wrote on
August 30, 2006
The Bidean massif is a truely magnificent mountain. I love this hill. Climbed it with my mate Iain may 04 on a beautiful sunny day. Beware though, it demands respect. Steep sides with big drops coupled with loose scree paths make this a serious days climbing. It's all worth it though. The views from the tops are incredible, especially of the Aonach Eagach ridge. The route through Coire Gabhail and the Lost Valley is the busiest route up the mountain, it's also the best in my opinion. When on the top take the time to ascend Stob Coire Nan Lochan. A viewpoint to beat all others.
 
 

A full written account of a climb submitted by our members.

You can prepare your own write up by first making an entry in your route log and then visiting the logging section above.

 Route Write-Ups
  Date Title Written by Including...
1 25 Oct 2010 Gearr Aonach, Bidean nam Bian and Stob Coire Sgreamhach Roger Vander Steen Bidean nam Bian Not Yet Rated
 
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