Stuchd an Lochain

[2dalmatians]

After a 12 day driving holiday in Holland (where there are absolutely no hills) I was in desperate need of a good leg stretch out in the hills. I had walked up Dumyat (Ochils) earlier in the week and was surprised by how tired I was at the top. It took me a good 10 minutes longer than usual. I did have a laugh at the top though when I was "spotted" by a fellow WH member - " hi are you the guy that writes on Walkhighlands website - 2dalmatians?" the fact that the real star (Ruby doo) was with me as usual made it obvious I think. Mrs 2d was in fits when I told her..." you'll be looking for an agent next, did you sign an autograph for him? - you'll need to take an ink pad so ruby can paw her signature..." and so over the next few hours the complete p**** was taken by her and the kids at my expense.

Anyway onto the walk report for the day. We arrived at the Lochan Daimh failrly early - 830ish I think and immediately struck up a conversation with a guy (Mark) who was just getting ready to set off on a longer walk, both munro's plus a couple of other hills in a circular route. After a bit of discussion he decided to tackle Stuchd an Lochain first as he didnt fancy the steep descent later in the day.

So we set off together although I advised him that my pace would be a lot slower than his I thought.

away we go

We walked together for around an hour I think before Mark set off on his own. I thoroughly enjoyed the coversation (in between gasping for breath) on the way up. We covered a multitude of topics (hillwalking, scary climbs, anoach eagach, Inn Pinn, Everest, Dolomites, Religion, is there a god?, Hare Krishna, Buddhism the price of houses, diabetes, healthy eating plans, walking poles - good or bad?, cars, alcohol - how to make moonshine!, work, dogs and much more!! )

Mark looking down to the Boathouse

Once Mark departed I managed to find my walking rythmn (dead slow to stop) and was much happier!! I got the camera going and managed to get some photos. Once up the initial steep climb the views really open up. The Lawers range was spectacular as always.

looking back to Lochan just as we reached the top of the first steep climb

Then we got our first view of Stuchd an Lochain. Looking along the ridge - nice!!

The ridge walk and summit in the distance

MWIS had accurately predicted 90% summit clear however it was absolutely baltic up on the ridge. I may need to have a rethink about my layering. 2 long sleeve tee shirts and wind/waterproof softshell were not quite enough on the ridge but had me sweating buckets on the first climb up, resulting in a very cold walk along to the summit although the views and simply being in this wonderful environment were more than enough to take my mind off the cold. Ruby was neither up nor down by the weather and was running around like a demented rabbit as usual

It wasnt too long before we got our first glimpse of the little lochan below the summit cone.

Approaching the final climb it was clear care was needed as the patchy snow was slippy and although there is a clear path up, it is steep sided and a fall could have serious consequenses. At this point I also had not seen anyone else since Mark left. I had watched him climb up the final ridge from a long way off and make it look easy but then again we all have diffierent levels of capability/skill!!

Ruby unphased on the steep final climb

And finally we reached the top after 2.5 hours.

Not my best side!

The views were breath taking in all directions.

The Lawers range

We didnt hang around for too long at the top as the cold was starting to bite. And still no other soul in sight until halfway along the ridge back I met a chap and young boy (his son I think). The weather looked like it might be turning for the worse, the chap said he had a survival bag if needed! I was a little concerned for them that no one else was around, however this eased as I passed several groups of walkers later on the way down.

The man and young lad heading towards the summit

I must admit I was really toiling on the way down and even now the following morning I can feel the walk in my legs. So I was in need of some strong motivation and then it hit me! I could head to the Lawers hotel to see if they had any of the chicked stuffed with Haggis and Black pudding that had been so delicious following my climb up An Stuc a few weeks ago? The hotel was "sort of" on the way home If I was quick I could get there, snaffle the food and still get home in reasonable time!! Ruby must have thought I was possessed - I was actually walking for more than 5 minutes without stopping!!

Made it back to the car after 4.5 hours and set off like a bat out of hell to the hotel. Was I disappointed???

NO CHANCE!!!! YA BEAUTY!!! SCRUMLICIOUS!!!!

Just another brilliant day out!!

Now you see it

[Del246]

Great pics. When I did this one I saw hehaw !! Cheers for letting me see what I missed.

[pigeon]

Ha ha another nice bit of grub there i see ,good hill this and a good report

[luckyguy68]

Good report. Im planning on doing this one in the next few weeks all going well. Im hoping for a bit less know at the top by then!

[rockhopper]

Aye - not sure I could live in Holland Nice walk and some good views - the snow caps also help bring out the lines of the hills in the photos - cheers

[jimandandrea]

Really enjoyed reading your report. It sounds like the perfect day- pace (dead slow to stop) and dinner at Lawers hotel.

[2dalmatians]

Cheers for the comments all.

Russell I think I was still playing footie in the school playground in 1981... I wouldn't have thanked anyone for taking me up a munro then - "boring, you can't win anything climbing a hill!" I can hear myself say!

[quoman]

nice report 2D. i done this last year went the long way round just about killed me

[2dalmatians]

Quoman - the short route just about killed me off!! was really toiling for some reason

[Owen b]

I did this one today with Meall Buidhe. I was a bit concerned that the big dump of snow on Monday night would make the steep bits (up to the summit ridge, and the final push to the main summit) a bit dodgy, but with little wind and the showers mercifully avoiding us it was no problem.