Ben cruachan ridge
Posted: Sun Sep 19, 2010 11:38 pmThis was to be my last day on the hills after a month staying in my caravan at Tyndrum. I thought Ben Cruachan would be a fitting conclusion to my visit. I was right! Coming down the A 85 I was suddenly confronted with a great view of the days challenge.
After the hard slog up the steep path to the dam (I went through the low bridge under the railway before the station and went up the path on the right of the burn which I later discovered is much better than the path to its left).
When I got to the dam I saw 2 men working high up on it and asked if I could come up for a look. They were happy to show me. They were installing new hydraulic pumps to control the 2 gates which can stop the flow from the dam when the tunnels have to be emptied for maintenance. I was really pleased to gain an insight into the workings of the scheme and its vast scale.
Next having climbed up the ladder to the top of the dam (the steepest climb of the day!) I set out along the road following the west shore of the reservoir but soon decided I'd rather walk on grass than tarmac so struck up left onto the ridge to the top Meall Cuanail. From this ridge there were great views across to the ridge from Ben Cruachan to Stob Diamh. There was a tough looking step.
From the top there is the steep drop of 80m to the Bealach an Lochain where there is a pretty wee lochan.
From here Cruachan's summit was gained by cosiderable effort over a steep field of boulders and mist had dropped down (so no photo). As I was preoccupied with the difficult step on the ridge I forgot to go left to Stob Dearg!!! So with no waiting (I would have had the view from the summit if I had as the mist soon cleared) I set off to face the step. Turns out it's not as difficult as it looks but still tricky for someone as stiff and feart as me! Anyway there is a great jug handle hold which I was able to use with both hands to pull myself up at the start and after that it was fairly straight forward even for me! The ridge walk was GREAT with enjoyable scrambly bits and sensational views.
Gale force winds had been forecast and there had been intermittent buffeting. But when I got to the top of Stob Diamh the sun came out and the wind died down and it was very pleasant. And as this would be my last munro for a while I stayed there for an hour soaking in the atmosphere getting enough of a fix to keep me going!! This allowed another walker to catch up with me and the two of us completed the walk in pleasant company. A great day out!
- Looks like a big challenge and the weather seems to be improving!
After the hard slog up the steep path to the dam (I went through the low bridge under the railway before the station and went up the path on the right of the burn which I later discovered is much better than the path to its left).
When I got to the dam I saw 2 men working high up on it and asked if I could come up for a look. They were happy to show me. They were installing new hydraulic pumps to control the 2 gates which can stop the flow from the dam when the tunnels have to be emptied for maintenance. I was really pleased to gain an insight into the workings of the scheme and its vast scale.
- the tall pipe moves up and down to open and close the tunnel
Next having climbed up the ladder to the top of the dam (the steepest climb of the day!) I set out along the road following the west shore of the reservoir but soon decided I'd rather walk on grass than tarmac so struck up left onto the ridge to the top Meall Cuanail. From this ridge there were great views across to the ridge from Ben Cruachan to Stob Diamh. There was a tough looking step.
- how the ....... am I going to get over that?
- Cruachan and Dearg from Cuanal
- fence gone but stile still there!
From here Cruachan's summit was gained by cosiderable effort over a steep field of boulders and mist had dropped down (so no photo). As I was preoccupied with the difficult step on the ridge I forgot to go left to Stob Dearg!!! So with no waiting (I would have had the view from the summit if I had as the mist soon cleared) I set off to face the step. Turns out it's not as difficult as it looks but still tricky for someone as stiff and feart as me! Anyway there is a great jug handle hold which I was able to use with both hands to pull myself up at the start and after that it was fairly straight forward even for me! The ridge walk was GREAT with enjoyable scrambly bits and sensational views.
- the chaging light made for great views
- rugged ridge with boulders
- from further round the ridge
- currents in the reservoir caused by water being used for generation. Seen from the ridge
Gale force winds had been forecast and there had been intermittent buffeting. But when I got to the top of Stob Diamh the sun came out and the wind died down and it was very pleasant. And as this would be my last munro for a while I stayed there for an hour soaking in the atmosphere getting enough of a fix to keep me going!! This allowed another walker to catch up with me and the two of us completed the walk in pleasant company. A great day out!
- A pair of ravens entertained me with their aeronaughtical skills
- one of the many great stones
- tunnel on the side of the reservoir adding water from where?
- adds to interest
- a brilliant tree (I wonder how old) seen on the way down on the wooded path by the falls (heard, not seen)
