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Stuc on 50? Hopefully not for long!

Stuc on 50? Hopefully not for long!


Postby polmanb » Wed Sep 30, 2020 11:40 pm

Route description: Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh and An Stùc

Munros included on this walk: An Stùc, Meall Garbh (Ben Lawers), Meall Greigh

Date walked: 27/09/2020

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 16.5 km

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A bit of a disappointing year tally-wise for obvious reasons, but I wanted to satisfy my borderline OCD and at least get to 50 Munros before being locked down again! With my total on 47, I decided to finish off the Lawers group by walking the Coire nan Cat circuit. This would also have the additional benefit of giving me a memorable 50th, with a wee bit of scrambly stuff.

I made the Lawers Hotel in good time, and after posting my £5 in the wee box outside, I set off at about 8.45am in the crisp sunshine alongside a nice group of 3 people that I'd end up leapfrogging the whole day.

Got to the top of Meall Greagh in about 2 hours, I think. The views looking back to Loch Tay on the way up were nice,

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but as the WH report says "all eyes will be drawn to the ridge to come". Right enough. I nearly got a crick in my neck from walking while constantly looking over at the the scarily steep-looking An Stuc to the left.

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With the good weather, the downhill and flat section towards Meall Garbh was a doddle. I read some reports where people had difficulty in the mist, but on a good day there route is so clear.

I found it quite a steep slog up to Meall Garbh, but the views when you get there make everything worthwhile. It's like a who's who of mountains, with Nevis, the Buachaille, and of course An Stuc

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After a couple of sandwiches, I stowed the poles and set off for what I thought would be the fun bit.

I read that the best route to take was to head left and up the gully, but was quite surprised to see such a path up it. I imagined I'd need to pick my own route like I did on Stuc a' Chroin. The first 3/4 of the way was steep but easy, and I found myself wondering what all the fuss was about.

20200927_133651.jpg


Then I got to the gully bit, which was horribly muddy and loose. A lot of the handholds (even big rocks) were wobbly, and I didn't have much confidence in them. I really didn't enjoy the last bit, and may have even uttered an expletive or two. Golly gosh. Anyway, the top was quickly reached, and number 50 achieved.

I found the path down to the lochain to be ok, and not as steep as I thought it was going to be. From a distance it just looks mental. The walk out was scenic, but boggy, and the last hour dragged a bit.

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Back at the car at 4.45pm in time for the football results. All in all, a great day out.
polmanb
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 15
Munros:76   
Islands:14
Joined: May 14, 2018

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