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Ben Dorain & Ben an Dothaidh

PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 8:22 pm
by BertvdBeu
After climbing Ben Lomond on June 4th we continued walking the West Highland Way. But our next goal were the Munro’s nearby Bridge of Orchy, Ben Dorain and Ben an Dothaidh.
Walking in the direction of Bridge of Orchy we noticed the huge conical-shaped Ben Dorain.

On June 8th 2010 we left the bunkhouse of the Bridge of Orchy Hotel at 8:35 AM. Behind the underpass at the train station we passed the transmitting tower.
There were low clouds but we could see the bealach. The summits of both Munro’s were covered in the clouds.
But it wasn’t raining.
Because it rained the day before the path became very boggy. :(
In 1h 25 min we reached the bealach at 744 m.
The wind was strong so we put on our windproof jackets.
Because the weather looked unstable to us, we first went up to Ben Dorain , so that on the way back to the bealach we could choose to go for the other summit or to go back to the Hotel.
Going up, in no time we reached the level of the low clouds.
The visibility was poor, about 50 m and decreasing while climbing higher and higher. Our GPS pointed out were the go. I’m sure, without a GPS we would have returned already.
After some time a big cairn came out of the fog, Carn Sasunnaich. Checking the altitude it couldn’t be the summit. Further on, in 1hour from the bealach, we reached the summit of Ben Dorain. Visibility: 20-30 m 100 % humidity in combination with brisk wind, so it wasn’t pleasant to stay there for long. After making pictures (to prove we were on the summit !) we started to descend. We were the only people on the slope, together with some sheep.

At about 50 minutes we were back at the bealach. The visibility was again better, we were below the clouds so we could see the train station and the Hotel. A couple was climbing the corrie and came closer. We had a short chat. They also wanted to tackle the Munro’s.

We took a short break to eat and drink and checking the weather, we headed for the summit of Ben an Dothaidh. Again our GPS told us were to go as the visibility was again decreasing to 30 m.

After the steep part in the beginning we followed the ascending path, but looking at the GPS we had to walk due north right through boggy slopes. I still love my gaiters.
We first reached the central summit, made a picture and then went on to the western summit. Still no visibility. The wind was still quite moderate so we walked as quickly as possible back to the bealach, again through boggy slopes. No path to find, just trusting our GPS. We got to the bealach again in 40 minutes from the central summit. Just below the bealach, out of the wind we took a short break to eat and drink.
Under this weather conditions, this second Munro was not rewarding at all.

While descending the corrie it started drizzling. After some time we put on our raincoats.
We were proud we did this, but also because we 'collected' already 3 Munro’s. We felt the bug to do more Munro’s ! :lol:

Back in the bunkhouse we got a warm douche and then we treated ourselves on a cold pint. :D
Some time later the other people came in. They had done Ben Dorain and while she was waiting at the cairn at the bealach, he did Ben an Dothaidh. Quite brave in this conditions.
Total time: 6 hours including breaks.

Re: Ben Dorain & Ben an Dothaidh

PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:28 pm
by mountain coward
So you're doing the West Highland Way including some Munros? Wow! Great idea :D

Re: Ben Dorain & Ben an Dothaidh

PostPosted: Wed Jun 30, 2010 10:54 pm
by Derek T
mountain coward wrote:So you're doing the West Highland Way including some Munros? Wow! Great idea :D

Two weeks to go and I'm off to do the WHW including Ben Lomond, Buachaille Etive Mor and Ben Nevis. Beinn Dorain is on our list of things to do if we feel like doing more along the way :D

Re: Ben Dorain & Ben an Dothaidh

PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 7:01 am
by BertvdBeu
mountain coward wrote:So you're doing the West Highland Way including some Munros? Wow! Great idea :D


And more trip reports follow soon here ....
Look at our plans
We couldn't sit still during our WH Way. :lol:

Cheers Bert

Re: Ben Dorain & Ben an Dothaidh

PostPosted: Thu Jul 01, 2010 6:16 pm
by BertvdBeu
Derek T. wrote:
mountain coward wrote:So you're doing the West Highland Way including some Munros? Wow! Great idea :D

Two weeks to go and I'm off to do the WHW including Ben Lomond, Buachaille Etive Mor and Ben Nevis. Beinn Dorain is on our list of things to do if we feel like doing more along the way :D


You have to go to Ben Dorain, it's more rewarding than Ben Lomond. When going to Ben Lomond, take the Ptarmigan route up and down, its a nice and rough track less people, easy scrambling just below the summit. Ben Dorain has the same rough track. Thats what we liked about it.

WHW, yes great, beautiful scenery, friendly people, I hope the weather will be fine. Midge repallant: 'Skin so Soft' worked good for us.
Have a nice time on the track of WHW. Are you goning to walk for 5 days or 8 days ?

Cheers Bert