Lochan nan Cat circuit with a Brocken Spectre

[smalltounboy]

I had made an early morning attempt on Ben Lawers (via Beinn Ghlas) in early May but was thwarted by blizzard conditions 100m from the summit, not one to be easily defeated I was soon planned a future trip for a few weeks later, this time a circuit of Lochan nan Cat would be the itinerary finishing with Ben Lawers.

The weekend plans were originally to head up to Glen Affric with my mountaineering club but that all fell through when my boss asked me to work the Sunday (I'm still new in the job so couldn't really decline) this gave me the perfect opportunity for my second attempt on Ben Lawers.

I'd left Ardrossan early on Friday evening and arrived at the Ben Lawers hotel a few hours later, as I planned to set off in the early hours of Saturday morning I thought I'd best to ask permission to use the hotel carpark (and consume a couple of lovely local beers at bar).

I caught a few hours sleep in the car before setting off at 3:45am, although it was dark there was enough light to easily see where I was going.

Heading up the track past Machuim Farm at 3:45am

Within half an hour I'd passed the the tree line and the light levels had increased more giving me my first view of the morning of Loch Tay....

Loch Tay comes into view at 4:15am

......and my first view of the route ahead

First look at Meall Greigh

The sun was starting to come up as I traversed into the shadow of Meall Greigh

Just before sunrise at 5am

Within a few minutes the first rays were illuminating the more southernly hills

Sunrise on Ben Lomond

Then it was Ben Lawers turn

Ben Lawers, An Stuc and Meall Garbh at 5:15am

I reached the Summit of Meall Greigh at 6am, a mist was starting to accumulate and the temperature was dropping but I was busy searching the depths of my rucksack for snacks............then I looked up and saw this

Brocken Spectre at the summit of Meall Greigh

The remainder of the route was shrouded in clag but was still an enjoyable walk

Meall Garbh summit

.......especially the scramble up to the top of An Stuc

An Stuc summit

After lunch at the bealach between An Stuc and Ben Lawers the clag lifted slightly and finally gave me a view of Lochan nan Cat

Lochan nan Cat

I reached the trig point at Ben Lawers at 10:30am, unfortunately still bathed in thick clag

Ben Lawers trig point

I took a compass reading and headed south emerging out of the clag to views of Loch Tay

Loch Tay from Ben Lawers

...and a close encounter with a Ptarmigan

Ptarmigan

I ended the day back at the Ben Lawers hotel with a cracking lunch and got home with time for a few hours sleep before heading out for a well deserved night on the town..............slàinte mhath

track.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

[snowgoose]

Well done - there's dedication for you. Stunning pic of the Brocken Spectre - could so easily have missed it.

[mrssanta]

That's the best Brocken spectre picture ever!

[smalltounboy]

That's the best Brocken spectre picture ever!

Thank you, took my breath away when I first saw it, just glad I got a photo before it disappeared

[londonwalker]

Have to agree with Mrs S - love the broken spectre shot and the selfie on lawers is a real cool shot too

[Fife Flyer]

Nice one, agree with previous comments re the BS

Setting off in the dark is real dedication