Ben Lawers Group, Running low on fluid and minus Beinn Ghlas
Posted: Sun Jun 09, 2013 3:35 pm
by The Rodmiester
Saturday was always going to be a day for the hills, so an early start was called for. Arrived at Ben Lawers hotel and packed and kitted out ready to go by 0615hrs. A short walk back along the road towards the Horn Craft makers shop with an immediate left turn around the back of the shop up a wooded path, past the farm with good signage provided.
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- The path turns left at the back of the shop
- It took me about half an hour until I came to the final wooden style to get me out of the trees onto the open hillside. There was not a breath of air, and was it clammy, climbing up the South shoulder of Meall Greigh, I was needing that drink I had as I was sweating quite a bit
- Making good time and looking back to what I had covered so far, Loch Tay was very calm, not a ripple was to be seen
- Cloud refection on Loch Tay
- Loch Tay, pity about the slight Haze
- By 0800hrs I had reached the top of Meall Greigh at 1001m, view of what lies ahead Ben Lawers on the left
- Large stone on the way to Meall Garbh with the Glen Lyon Horseshoe in the distance
- Ben Layers from the same stone
- Approaching Meall Garbh with An Stuc in the distance. By this time I had met and had a chat with a couple of guys who had bivvied overnight on Ben Lawers and were heading the way I had come from. There was no sign of much wind getting up and it was very close so a lot of fluid was needed
- Can you find the route up? it looks more distinct from afar as I found out as I must have left the path some where up and had to scramble a rather steep loose gully. By 0930hrs I was at the foot of An Stuc, packing away the walking poles, its a hands on job. Glad I'm going up and not down
- Looking down from the path now regained to Lochan nan Cat
- Looking over to Meall Garbh from An Stuc
- Looking over to Beinn Ghlas from the summit of Ben Lawers
- I met another two guys on the way up to thesummit of Ben Lawers and asked them if they were WH members, but no, but they did use the site for information. Me at the summit Trig point on Ben Lawers (kindly photographed by another hillwalker who was keen to be on the hills early to miss the crowd, I returned the favour and took his photograph
- After looking at my water supplies and seeing very little left, and the fact that I had climbed Beinn Ghlas many times before and with the hill beginning to look quite busy I decided on the bye pass on the North side of Beinn Ghlas to take my to the point of access to the next munro Meall Corranaich from the bealach
- Cairn on top of Meall Corranaich lookin towards An Stuc
- The next and final munro Meall a Choire Leith far in the distance with what I can remember a wet and haggy descent towards the prominent cairn at the roadside near the North end of Lochan na Lairige
- Looking back from Meall Choire Leith towards Meall Corranaich a fine dry walk on short grassed areas. It was about here I was pretty short on fluid and just happened to mention the fact to another walker who immediately said 'have some of mine' that's what I like about hillwalkers, will help out whenever they can. Thankyou whoever you were I needed every drop
- Summit cairn on the last munro of the day Meall Choire Leith looking towards the Tarmachan ridge
- The descent was not as wet as I remember as I climbed down Allt Gleann Da Eig taking care not to drop down too far but skirting around the base of Coire Gorm. I arrived at the roadside at 1345hrs, now for the walk to the hotel! no, first car to pass stopped and offered me a lift, what luck, but he was heading towards Killin, but that's half way to the hotel, go for it.
- Well that four miles on the tarmac was torture, lots of cars mostly tourists, no joy, I guess most walkers were still enjoying themselves up the hills and why not, a fabulous day and there's not been many of them so make the most of them when they come along. YES, the Ben Lawers Hotel, what a sight, with heart and sole lifted I got my carparking pint, Aaaaaaaaah Wonderful!
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