Ben Cruachan & Stob Diamh Circuit
Posted: Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:37 am
I got an early start on this round and managed to miss the worst of the days weather It was forecast for high cloud with light rain around 1pm and heavy rain coming in by 3pm.
I had some niggling concerns about crossing the slabs, some reports read that it was nothing others that it was scary, so despite scouring many photographs I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. My aim was to have passed the slabs and be over the ridge before the rain started. In the end, the slabs really were not a problem. I crossed the base of the slabs a few feet and then turned left up a rocky chute/ladder to the top of the slabs and carried on over the ridge.
The weather did break earlier than forecast and the rain started while I was crossing the ridge, but rather than dampen the spirits, it really added an extra air of atmosphere to the views. The views were stunning.
Great day out.
Loch Awe. Start of the days walk looking across to the fish farms.
First view of Cruachan Dam with the peak of Ben Cruachan in the background.
A look down the length of the dam.
Up the ladder to the top of the dam ...
Cruchan reservoir.
Beinn a' Bhuiridh across the reservoir.
Heading on along the waters edge towards Ben Cruachan.
Starting the route up heading for Bealach an Lochain.
Odd waymarker/cairn on the climb up to Cruachan's rocky summit.
Looking back down to Bealach an Lochain and Meall Cuanail.
Summit cairn of Ben Cruachan with the remains of a Trig Point.
Looking down to the reservoir from the summit of Cruachan.
Stob Dearg looking spectacular in the mist.
Looking across the ridge to Drochaid Ghlas and in the background Stob Diamh looking very far away!
Drochaid Ghlas.
The route up Stob Diamh.
Looking back to Drochaid Ghlas.
Summit cairn of Stob Diamh. Second Munro of the day.
Looking ahead to Stob Garbh from the summit of Stob Diamh.
Cairn on the top of Stob Garbh with Ben Cruachan behind.
Last look back at the hills as the weather moves in before heading for the path back.
I had some niggling concerns about crossing the slabs, some reports read that it was nothing others that it was scary, so despite scouring many photographs I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. My aim was to have passed the slabs and be over the ridge before the rain started. In the end, the slabs really were not a problem. I crossed the base of the slabs a few feet and then turned left up a rocky chute/ladder to the top of the slabs and carried on over the ridge.
The weather did break earlier than forecast and the rain started while I was crossing the ridge, but rather than dampen the spirits, it really added an extra air of atmosphere to the views. The views were stunning.
Great day out.
Loch Awe. Start of the days walk looking across to the fish farms.
First view of Cruachan Dam with the peak of Ben Cruachan in the background.
A look down the length of the dam.
Up the ladder to the top of the dam ...
Cruchan reservoir.
Beinn a' Bhuiridh across the reservoir.
Heading on along the waters edge towards Ben Cruachan.
Starting the route up heading for Bealach an Lochain.
Odd waymarker/cairn on the climb up to Cruachan's rocky summit.
Looking back down to Bealach an Lochain and Meall Cuanail.
Summit cairn of Ben Cruachan with the remains of a Trig Point.
Looking down to the reservoir from the summit of Cruachan.
Stob Dearg looking spectacular in the mist.
Looking across the ridge to Drochaid Ghlas and in the background Stob Diamh looking very far away!
Drochaid Ghlas.
The route up Stob Diamh.
Looking back to Drochaid Ghlas.
Summit cairn of Stob Diamh. Second Munro of the day.
Looking ahead to Stob Garbh from the summit of Stob Diamh.
Cairn on the top of Stob Garbh with Ben Cruachan behind.
Last look back at the hills as the weather moves in before heading for the path back.