Walkhighlands

With the weather supposed to clear late pm, I set off at lunch from the Bridge of Orchy hotel, thinking longingly of the punters enjoying a pint in the dry inside. A strong southerly was accompanied by lashing rain but I left the decision to put the waterproofs on far too late and was drenched after a couple of km. Heading up the col I met a couple of groups heading down who had both had enough and had only climbed Beinn Dorain. I had a good chat with an engaging pair of walkers on the ridge who were wetter than wet and were probably heading down as well. Hmm, should I bother?

And I'm not glad I did. Having skirted round the sheep track around Beinn Dorain and then doing its ridge backwards in fairly foul weather, the weather lifted a bit as I headed down the col. So with plenty of time I decided to take it on. The path was good until the weather and visibility worsened again and I ran into a morass of bog and no sign of a path on the other side of it. I had navved up Ben Dorain but took my compass out too late heading up an Dhotaidh. A check of the map and I could see no particular hazards so just headed straight up for where I thought the ridge was and started pacing and timing myself just in case. The wind was pretty wild up the top, but just bearable, so having made a brief acquaintance with the summit cairn, I navved back down to the col where I could finally see something again. Bridge of Orchy in a shaft of sunlight!

Strangely, I was pleased to have done both hills, but will remember the two too lates the next time!

Just like me always to late with the trooosers!

Photo of B of O attached.