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A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon


Postby Jaxter » Tue Sep 05, 2017 8:49 pm

Route description: Stuchd an Lochain

Munros included on this walk: Meall Buidhe (Glen Lyon), Stùcd an Lochain

Corbetts included on this walk: Cam Chreag (Glen Lyon)

Date walked: 09/08/2017

Time taken: 8 hours

Distance: 23.9 km

Ascent: 1536m

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David and I had been trying to do a hike for ages but the stars had never quite managed to align. However, with David spending a few days in Killin we worked out a plan for me to drive up. The hill he had his eyes on was Beinn an Lochain, a hill I had yet to climb. We met at the dam (well actually David caught me up just before it as I stopped to check I was on the correct road :lol: ) and we booted up.

The route was obvious as we headed down towards the bridge, and headed up the road.

Loch an Daimh
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Soon the path branched off and we followed it steeply uphill. It was steep and it was nice to have someone to talk to as a distraction :lol:

The dam and back down Glen Lyon
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David was clearly finding it quite difficult and it was really inspiring to see the determination with which he went about it!

David absolutely nailing it with Loch an Daimh behind
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Looking back, the views were opening out nicely and it was shaping up to be as nice a day as the forecast had suggested (although I'd had my doubts when there had been a bit of rain coming over the Lawers road :shock: )

I noticed a wee memorial part way up; I don’t know who David Reed was but he had one hell of a view :thumbup:
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A good distance up, David decided he had had enough. He had climbed a good way but was concerned about how long it would take him to get down. After a photo shoot David assured me that he would be fine going down alone so we parted ways.

It was a steep climb up to the ridge where the views became more impressive…
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Down to Loch an Daimh
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Beinn an Lochain summit ahead
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But more importantly the gradient eased :lol: The ridge ahead looked really interesting and it was a really enjoyable walk along to the summit of Beinn an Lochain. Although after climbing Corbetts for the last month the whole concept of a path was unusual :lol: It was a fabulous viewpoint and I was enjoying playing with lenses on the fancy camera.

Sron a’Choire Chnapanich ahead
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Chnapanich and Meall Buidhe with Glencoe behind
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Rannoch Mor and Glencoe
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South towards Loch Lyon
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Time for a pose!
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Towards Bridge of Orchy and Tyndrum
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Back along the ridge and towards the Lawers hills
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Pointy McPointyFace
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The Big Bookle and Black Mount
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Lawers and friends
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Loch Lyon and Orchy hills
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Loch Lyon dam
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Rannoch Mor, Glencoe and Mamores
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As I was checking the map for my next move - to head along the ridge towards Chnapanich I was caught up by a guy whose name I don't remember but who had a greater effect on my day than I expected…. It turned out he had the plan of doing the circuit but had checked the stalking notices and discovered that that area was out of bounds.

I now had a moral dilemma. I had not checked the board. It hadn't occurred to me to think about stalking at the beginning of August. There didn't seem to be anyone out and had I not met my new friend I would have continued and probably been none the wiser. But now I did know….

Annoyed, but trying to do the right thing I retraced my steps with my new pal. He turned out to be good company and we chatted away all the way down. Back at the cars I saw that David had gone which meant he'd not only got down safely but also made excellent time!

We chatted to another guy out camping before I headed for Meall Buidhe seeing as I was there, and my friend for his caravan.

It was initially easy walking along the track before the path branched off. As I'd been warned it was a bit of a bog-fest and I squelched my way upwards.

Lawers hills
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Down Loch an Daimh
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The path seemed to mutate and there were many different sections of it. Eventually I arrived at a sort of Coll, and a final climb took me onto the ridge.

Summit ahoy!
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From the ridge it was an easy walk around to the summit of Meall Buidhe which was an even better viewpoint than Beinn an Lochain,

Schiehallion
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Lawers range
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Beinn an Lochain with Ben More behind
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Schiehallion again – looks odd without it’s white coat!
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Ben Nevis
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Loch Rannoch and Ben Alder range behind
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Jaxter special
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I could see right down Glencoe and with the aid of super duper lens I was able to get a half decent shot of it :lol:
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Ben Nevis
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Orchy hills
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Schiehallion
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Mamores
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I think this is Ben Cruachan
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Ben Lawers
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Zoomed
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It was pretty windy so I found a wee sheltered spot for a sandwich and consulted the map. Now I make no secret of my hatred of out-and-back routes and despite my best laid plans today was turning out to be two of them. Something in me snapped. Looking across at Cam Creag, I could see no stalkers and no deer. It was late in the afternoon and if I took a straight line across I would be on “out of bound” land for only a few kilometres….

I walked back along the ridge to the Coll where it was decision time…. The official story is that I went back down and this is me photoshopped on the summit of Cam Creag, which I'm sure is a fabulous viewpoint too…
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obviously these photos are not mine as I wasn't there :wink:

A perfect example of a hanging valley – Geography A level 8)
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Looking back at Meall Buidhe from an undisclosed location
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Lawers range
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Tarmachan Ridge
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Schiehallion and Glen Lyon hills
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Loch Rannoch
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Meall Ghaordie I think?
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Beinn an Lochain
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Crianlarich hills
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Tarmachan Ridge again
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Kinloch Rannoch
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Zoomed top of Beinn an Lochain
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The zoom on this thing is awesome :lol:
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Ben More
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Lawers
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Ghaordie
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Corbetts
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All the Lawers hills
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The sun starting to set
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Final descent
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Back at the dam
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It was a tired but satisfied Jaxter that returned to the car.
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It was a lovely drive back over the pass
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Lochan na Lairige
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I'll definitely return to do the circuit another time, but at least I know not to attempt it between July and September :roll:


Loch an Daimh.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

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Jaxter
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby Sgurr » Tue Sep 05, 2017 9:03 pm

I think this may be the answer to David Reed. Googled in images, and came to this

https://stv.tv/news/tayside/1387367-hillwalker-dies-suddenly-on-perth-and-kinross-munro/

I see there was no sign of stalking. We have done most of the Carn Mairg 4 from Fortingall at a time when stalking notices have been up at the estate, without a sign of any activity.
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby Jaxter » Tue Sep 05, 2017 9:07 pm

Sgurr wrote:I think this may be the answer to David Reed. Googled in images, and came to this

https://stv.tv/news/tayside/1387367-hillwalker-dies-suddenly-on-perth-and-kinross-munro/

I see there was no sign of stalking. We have done most of the Carn Mairg 4 from Fortingall at a time when stalking notices have been up at the estate, without a sign of any activity.

Oh wow so that was pretty recent then :shock:

Yeah...I did feel pretty bad about it, if people start ignoring the rules then all sorts of access laws will get challenged :? But you're right, there was no stalking that day!
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby Alteknacker » Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:07 pm

Who's been playing with their new toy, then???

Well, it's been worth it: some really great panoramic pics here - they look particularly good when blown up to fill a big screen :clap: :clap: .

I haven't done these yet, but I too faced a moral dilemma when I did the munros on the north side further down the glen...

ImageIMG_1076[/url] by Alter Knacker

I can't begin to describe how hard my conscience wrestled with the moral dilemma here....
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby Collaciotach » Tue Sep 05, 2017 11:22 pm

I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby KatTai » Wed Sep 06, 2017 10:13 am

Love the "photoshopping" :lol:
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby Mal Grey » Wed Sep 06, 2017 12:03 pm

Incredibly clever use of drone to take photos of somewhere you didn't go?

Once again, most of us would probably have taken the easy option, and just done one hill that day instead.


Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...


So I've heard, this "estate" has the reputation of posting misinformation to discourage visitors.
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby dav2930 » Wed Sep 06, 2017 9:02 pm

Convincing bit of photoshopping - I'd have sworn you were actually there on Cam Creag :lol:

Some great zoom shots with that fancy lens of yours. Looked an interesting day with good weather and views. Well done for defying the dubious signage to bag the Corbett. I think your decision was the morally right one. :wink:
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby prog99 » Wed Sep 06, 2017 10:47 pm

Mal Grey wrote:Incredibly clever use of drone to take photos of somewhere you didn't go?

Once again, most of us would probably have taken the easy option, and just done one hill that day instead.


Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...


So I've heard, this "estate" has the reputation of posting misinformation to discourage visitors.

Is everyone mistaking it for north chesthill? I remember a board with a large harveys map with preferred routes if they were stalking but nothing discouraging whole hills.
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Re: A moral dilemma in Glen Lyon

Postby Jaxter » Sat Sep 09, 2017 7:46 pm

Alteknacker wrote:Who's been playing with their new toy, then???

Well, it's been worth it: some really great panoramic pics here - they look particularly good when blown up to fill a big screen :clap: :clap: .

I haven't done these yet, but I too faced a moral dilemma when I did the munros on the north side further down the glen...

ImageIMG_1076[/url] by Alter Knacker

I can't begin to describe how hard my conscience wrestled with the moral dilemma here....

My new toy is amazing :D :D
Im glad it's not just me facing these sorts of dilemmas. I'm assuming you swam across the river :lol:



Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...

I was a bit worried about being shot :shock: Except that there were no dear anyway and I was wearing some pretty bright colours 8) :D



KatTai wrote:Love the "photoshopping" :lol:

Amazing skillz eh :lol: :lol:



Mal Grey wrote:Incredibly clever use of drone to take photos of somewhere you didn't go?

Once again, most of us would probably have taken the easy option, and just done one hill that day instead.


Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...


So I've heard, this "estate" has the reputation of posting misinformation to discourage visitors.

Aye these drones are pretty good eh :lol: :lol:
I was missing Corbetts and needed one to make me feel better :lol:



dav2930 wrote:Convincing bit of photoshopping - I'd have sworn you were actually there on Cam Creag :lol:

Some great zoom shots with that fancy lens of yours. Looked an interesting day with good weather and views. Well done for defying the dubious signage to bag the Corbett. I think your decision was the morally right one. :wink:

I'm glad you agree - I was worried I might get told off :? :shock: :lol:



prog99 wrote:
Mal Grey wrote:Incredibly clever use of drone to take photos of somewhere you didn't go?

Once again, most of us would probably have taken the easy option, and just done one hill that day instead.


Collaciotach wrote:I would not take any heed of signs in this area ...


So I've heard, this "estate" has the reputation of posting misinformation to discourage visitors.

Is everyone mistaking it for north chesthill? I remember a board with a large harveys map with preferred routes if they were stalking but nothing discouraging whole hills.

When I returned to my car I did study the board - I don't know how I missed it; guess that's what happens when you're chatting away :lol:
The two munros were accessible via the paths (ie two out-and-backs) and they allowed you up Cam Chreag from near Bridge of Balgie but not to link onto Meall Buidhe. Bit annoying really, especially as it's 4 months of the year. Who stalks in July?! :roll:
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