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Once again I find myself heading over the Lochan na Lairige pass towards Loch an Daimh
I really should have done both Meall Buidhe and Stuchd an Lochain at the same time, but setting off late at this time of year means running out of light.
Not that either of these walks would be an issue in the dark with some care and a head torch. To be honest both evenings, nights on the days I went were moonlit as well, so to finish in the dark would have been atmospheric
Anyway that didn't happen, so here I am in the rain
It is pelting it down; the forecast was for prolonged rain in between sunny spells
Five minutes earlier it had been clear and I'd watched a couple of Ravens shortly before the parking area. I got out and took some photos, but to far away for anything pleasing. I did hear one of them; not sure what you call the call, but it sounded impressive.
Got to the parking area and it is heaving, during the week I was the only car here. Found a spot to park and started to get changed when the rain started.
Mmm
I sat in the car with my boots on waiting for a break to put the waterproofs on and go for it. I don't mind the rain; to be honest I actually find it amusing providing I have the waterproofs on and good leather waterproof boots.
I read some of my book on the phone while waiting my chance. Quite a few walkers were returning. All looked wet, but all looked happy enough
Finally the rain eased up enough and I got sorted out asap and start along the road and up by the dam.
and onto the track for a very short distance before reaching the cairn which marks the start of the path
As you can see it is pelting it down again
After a very short steep start the path traverses along gently above the modern boat house
A view back down to the dam as the rain gives way to sunshine and I know that with the waterproof over trousers on I will soon be cooking
The traverse crosses a few torrential streams as well, it's like the mountains are pouring themselves into the Loch, this side and the other; wonder how long it takes before the overflow on the dam is reached, that would be a sight to see
Shortly after the path heads upwards with the first ridge appearing
I say path, but as you can see it is a stream with a rocky bed at this stage
With waterproof boots it's fine though
There's some squidgy bits on the path as it flattens and turns more from a stream full of rocks to a grassy incline, but it's only for a few metres and is surface water, pick your spots and it's fine
It dries up and turns into a good path on the ridge and up to the top of Creag an Fheadain is good fun, this looking back, difficult to take photos into the rain which is now back on
Looking at google earth and the OS maps does help with a mental picture, but generally I find the reality always looks quite a bit different from what I imagine.
I briefly saw a Raven here as well, but only a fleeting glimpse.
I'd taken off the waterproof trousers, but now the rain is so heavy it has soaked the trousers and is starting to run down behind the gaiters and I know that unless I put them back on again the wet would soon start to get into my boots and that will not improve my humour
Made my way up to Sron Chona Choirein and I am pretty sure these are the cairns on the top of this part of the ridge
As you can see though it was all a bit of a blur at this point
Out of the gloom I thought I could just about see Lochan nan Cat
Needless to say soon after putting my waterproofs back on the rains started to ease
There was a breeze though and they can stay on.
A first view of Stuchd an Lochain and there are a couple of Ravens funning themselves in the breeze and updrafts around the summit
The Ravens were flying down every so often and I waited hoping to get a good shot. One flew right over the top of me
Fantastic, though not a great photo in the still flat light, at a distance and on movement camera mode
On up to the summit, the clag coming and going, mostly coming at this stage, though did get some blue sky at the top
A look into Lochan nan Cat
I mooched around on top for a while, hoping for the scenic vistas of the Lyon dam and reservoir, the Lawers, Tarmachan ranges, the head of Loch an Daimh and the other mountains, but sais la vie
Lyon dam just about visible in the centre of this photo
Oh well might as well head back down
Got to Sron Chona Choirein and it started to brighten again
so I decided to stroll further down along Creag an Fheadain for a better look into Loch nan Cat
and along Loch Daimh
There may be a route all the way around the Loch, but I would think it would be very squidgy up at the top
and a bit hard going around the shore. I looked to see if there was a path, but as per Google Earth the only track I could see ends before the plantation at Coire Chorse
Views from here into Coire Pharlain, with what looks like numerous stream erodes making an interesting pattern, Meall Buidhe in the background to the right, or at least the ridge towards it
Continuing back down and a better view of the path and Glen Lyon beyond
and the traverse back
over the streams still pouring themselves into the Loch
and met a very small frog in the path stream on the final squidgy decent, can you spot it
Perhaps there are so many Ravens this years because it has been so wet and the frogs have also done well
Back to the car and changed. There was another car with a tent pitched next to it a short distance from the parking space at the top.
It turned into another very bright moonlit evening, but by now the camera battery had packed in
and although phone cameras are getting better they have their limitations; just saying
On the way up to Lochan na Lairige some deer decided to cross the road right in front of me, perhaps fifteen metres, excellent
I took a few photos with the phone camera, but as above
Anyway a very pleasant drenching on an entertaining walk with some great views in between the rain and clag
Enjoy
