Stuchd an Lochain - a great winter Munro

[Mountainlove]

Mountain Time! Is the only time when I will bounce out of bed and blue skies and sunny weather added to my good mood. On my journey up north I picked up my my hiking buddy Michael and thanks to the company the nearly 3.5 hour journey to the starting point did not feel too long.

By the time we arrived, a freezing wind was blowing a few snow flakes across Loch an Daimh and sunshine was chasing clouds over the horizon.
Time to gear up and start the walk through the plantation towards the Stuchd an Lochain.


The start of the walk

We did not stay long on the wide path , as a wee cairn marked the start of the uphill climb. The steep path up, was covered in a thick layer of ice, which made me quite nervous, as I was still recovering from a fall on ice, which left me with a cracked Coccyx . The path soon disappeared under a layer of snow and bizarrely most walkers had taken different routes up.


On the way up, looking back towards the dam

With no obvious route to follow we decided to take the direct approach and were soon scrambling up through the snow...great fun! Michael was soon ahead of me (his fitness level certainly better than my current one) and by the time we reached the bealach we felt the announced wind chill factor of -18 brrrrr.

But what a view!


The summit comes into view


Zoomed in Views towards the loch


The long ridge towards the summit



It was freezing! Not very often I have to wear my mega warm gloves on the way up


Another angle towards the loch

The walk toward the summit was pleasant until we saw a group of about 10 climbing the summit in a line
It was a matching picture for much higher mountains and reminded me about Everest movies


The last push towards the summit...


Impressive! Loch Lyon damn and a hell lot of water!


Summit views


Summit views


Summit views


On top of the cairn




The loch


Posing


Towards the end of the loch



Panoramic photo of the whole loch

Having taken a lot of photos, it was time for lunch and hidden away from the freezing wind we were able to enjoy some sunshine and cracking views. Eventually the cold cheeped through my layers of clothing and it was time to say good bye to the summit and walk back towards the car.


On the way back


A few lovely trees at the lower slopes


Back down


Lovely icicles

[mini1mini2]

Hi (M) did you find access up the road ok ? only I was told it could be difficult conditions (it was on sun 15th though ) Ive" noticed your camera work has improved from your early reports cheers

[hopper68]

Nice pictures,it looked a good day out

[2manyYorkies]

Great report as always, I particularly liked the picture of the two Stonefish under the icicles at the end...

[Fairweather Softie]

Hi,

I passed you both just as you came across the hill from the road, had balaclava on on, noticed a car with a walkhighlands sticker on back window and wondered if I'd see a report.

I'm in awe of you un-gloving to take so many pictures! My hands stayed firmly in my gloves.

Had a quick bite to eat and went up the other side, met a guy from Carnoustie and walked to the top with him, had great day apart from crazy drive over Ben Lawers road, never again in winter.

[Alteknacker]

Great pics as usual.

I spent the day in clag in the Lake District doing the Wastwater Horseshoe, because I thought that the weather was meant to be terrible further North ?!? It was supposed to clear up in the afternoon according to MWIS, but it didn't...

[Mountainlove]

Hi (M) did you find access up the road ok ? only I was told it could be difficult conditions (it was on sun 15th though ) Ive" noticed your camera work has improved from your early reports cheers

The road was ok, but I once took it and had to walk the last 2 km due to the snow and ice. It is certainly not a road to take after heavy snow fall or icy conditions. The worst is the time it takes on the single track road

Hi,
I passed you both just as you came across the hill from the road, had balaclava on on, noticed a car with a walkhighlands sticker on back window and wondered if I'd see a report.
I'm in awe of you un-gloving to take so many pictures! My hands stayed firmly in my gloves.
Had a quick bite to eat and went up the other side, met a guy from Carnoustie and walked to the top with him, had great day apart from crazy drive over Ben Lawers road, never again in winter.

Hello again! Regarding un-gloving I have to say that even though it was a struggle, I kept my gloves on while taking most pictures...it was far to cold Great that you enjoyed your day out as well and trust me..the road can be worse!

Great pics as usual.
I spent the day in clag in the Lake District doing the Wastwater Horseshoe, because I thought that the weather was meant to be terrible further North ?!? It was supposed to clear up in the afternoon according to MWIS, but it didn't...

Lol don't start me on the weather...I was glued to my 4! weather websites all week. Further down south were I live it was raining too..so I was glad for the better weather further up north! But I am sure you also had a good day out doing the Wastwater Horseshoe?

hopper68 & 2manyYorkies ...Many thanks!!

[dogplodder]

Cracked coccyx sounds sore and can understand your nervousness on ice!

[mgmt!]

thanks for the company and especially the driving mountainlove, i must admit it was enjoyed going at a nice (slowish) pace . i hope the recovery is coming along good, its a long and strenuous day on the nordwand

[dooterbang]

Fantastic Maja - looked a top day

[Mountainlove]

Cracked coccyx sounds sore and can understand your nervousness on ice!

Lol was always a bit nervous on ice...but luckily the coccyx is healing nicely

thanks for the company and especially the driving mountainlove, i must admit it was enjoyed going at a nice (slowish) pace . i hope the recovery is coming along good, its a long and strenuous day on the nordwand

slow is not always bad The recovery is coming along nicely at 90% now and back to full gym workouts! Looking forward to the nordwand!

Fantastic Maja - looked a top day

Many thanks Paul!

[Borderhugh]

Great report and photos! Wishing for that kind of weather. Roll on summer!

[spiderwebb]

Nice one Maja, it wasn't like that the week before Great pics as always, you got the weather, can you send me your plans for any future dates so I can follow and see some sun

[Faction54]

BBBBRRRRRR!
Love the icicles

[eml00019]

This looks like an amazing day! My sister and I are just finding our feet with winter walking and I couldn't tell from your pictures but was wondering if you guys wore crampons on this day? We don't have any but this looks like an ideal hill for us on a clear day!

Fantastic pictures by the way, super clear!