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So it was an early start, up at 4.20 am for our trip to Ben Cruachan, me, Jim his neighbour Joe, and his mate Robin, two really experienced walkers , they can actually read maps , seriously they are. We started off about 7 o`clock from Cruachan Falls railway station and headed up under the tracks and up the steps into the forest. It`s an instantly steep climb for about twenty minutes walking up the hillside. It eventually becomes less steep as you had up towards the cruachan reservoir, and the dam is a sight itself. To the sounds of sheep baaing, sheepdogs yelping and the farmer yelling we climb up the ladder to the top of the dam where the baking sun waits for us. So off with the zip offs and the fleece for the last time today. We faced out to what we hoped to achieve, going around the horseshoe to take in ben cruachan and stob diamh, with the reservoir lying in front of us.
- Cruachan reservoir
We decide to hit the hill early and climb up the steep slopes, Jim and I going for the more direct route, the others working their way around slowly. There are great views looking back over Loch Awe and as there is hardly a cloud in the sky, we can see peaks of mountains all around, it`s going to be a good day.
eventually we work our way up to a path running alongside an old fence and get up to Meall Cuanail from where we can see the peak of ben cruachan and the path of the alternative (easier ?) route, as well as great views for miles.
- Loch Awe
- pray to the mountain god
From here you have to head down a boulder field before you can start scrambling up the scree onto another huge boulder field before you reach the summit. It`s kinda dodgy on the way down but great fun climbing up the giant stones on the way up again.
- big stanes
We get to the top and it`s just stunning, probably the best views from a mountain i`ve ever had, clear blue sky and hills and valleys everywhere.
- On top of Ben Cruachan
- along the ridge
This is where the fun begins as we head along the ridge. It`s great walking along the tops of the hills and there`s a few hairy moments as we climb up and down the rocks and get to the top of Drochaid Ghlas. As we munch on sandwiches and biscuits Joe tells us that we best head down as he`s on a schedule, some instructions from the wife more likely, and we head down towards Coire Cruachan slightly dissapointed that we won`t be bagging Stob Diamh as well.
- Ben Cruachan
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So we head down the coire and back along the reservoir and the heat is getting unbearable. But it was a great day and we`ll be back to do it agin, and complete it.
- Cruachan reservoir