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DATE:31/05/09
ASCENT:1230m
TIME TAKEN:bang on 7hrs + 1hr of stops
WEATHER:scorching hot,blue skies no breeze,brilliant
set off from the lawers hotel car park at 8:15 and headed east along the main road for a few hundred yards turning left at the horn carvers cottage and heading up the farm track then through the woods.not much chance of losing your way here as the farmer has plenty of signs so you dont wander.a good walk in here but with no breeze it was like an oven in the trees.after cosssing a large stile this brings you out to in the open with fine views up to meall greigh.
on reading the directions from this site it says to follow a stream which is further along the path we decided to climb straight up the slopes of sron mhor,bad idea in the heat.this was the hardest part of the walk the climb is relentless and very testing on the calf muscles,plenty of stops required here and if one of the other 2 had said to turn around i might not have argued.
after a long 2 and a half hours we finally reached the summit of meall greigh and the moans and regrets were soon forgotten with the cracking views to loch tay and ben lawers
after a good rest here it was on to meall garbh with us all agreeing that the next 2 hours where probably one of the most enjoyable walks yet from the top of meall greigh right over to an stuc.the climb up to meall garbh looks really steep but its not as bad as it looks and was a great climb to the top
another break here and couldnt help but worry about an stuc.the view from meall garbh looks very daunting with what looks like an impossible climb but couldnt wait all the same.
the next 20mins or so was very exciting having never climbed anything like this before but we stuck close together and where up in no time.not as bad as it looked but still a few squeaky bum moments
on reaching the top we all had a right feel of acheivement,no bad for a couple of amateurs.
with another long break it was down the wset slopes of an stuc to the beallach and then dropping south following a small stream toward lochan nan cat
really tricky here as the slopes are very steep
on finally reaching lochan nan cat we went round the left side of the loch which was very boggy and with no breeze at all the heat at times was unbearable and was so tempted to strip and jump in
the next hour or so was a real slog through the bogs and now couldnt wait to get back to the car.
once the small dam is reached the path back wasnt to bad but was just compleatly knackered all the way back to the hotel with the promise of a pint really getting that close i could taste it.
on reading you have to pay to use the car park which seems fair enough i dont think it would have mattered as it was the best 2 pints of lager ive ever had (not driving
)
all in a great walk again with an stuc one of my favourites and a very enjoyable day
well reccomended in good weather
