Walkhighlands

Nine of us left the Vale for Loch Awe. Parking at Falls of Cruachan rail station we started out, up under the rail line, through trees, over a deer fence via a style, or through the ‘dog flap’ - a hard pull. Onwards up to Dam wall, climbed up steel ladder to Dam top. Walked across the Dam top for effect, and then stopped for a break.
Jim Milner Gary and I were taking in the both hill while the rest were just doing Stob Diamh so we parted company here and we headed up above Stob Garbh then on to Diamh the views over to Cruachan were tremendous. The walk along to Cruachan was up my street with plenty of scrambling. We had great views up Glen Etive to Ben Starav. We stopped for a short break at the top of the very rocky summit of Ben Cruachan. With the rest of the group only doing one top we did not hang around and headed down by the time we got back to the dam I was suffering trying to keep up with the ours and my knees were ready to give up. But I did arrive back at the cars only 5 minutes behind the others.

Nice one



I honestly don't remember that ridge being this hair-raising!

Great route! Did it a couple of years ago from Stob Gharb to Stob Dearg and loved every minute. Often wonder why Stob Dearg doesn't get more credit. It's a steep, bouldery pull from Cruachan to the summit and the views from Stob Dearg are much better as there are uninterupted views west to the sea and its position gives superior view up Loch/Glen Etive. It seems strange that Corbetts, Grahams etc are looked on more favourably then Munro Tops.

houdi wrote:It seems strange that Corbetts, Grahams etc are looked on more favourably then Munro Tops.

I think it would be fairer to say that big list hills are favoured over other favourable points.

The 879m top of Buidhe Bheinn is a "nothing" but has massively superior views to the Corbett summit. Beinn an Tuim has better views than Streap but is a Corbett top.

If you want the best views you need to consider your hill carefully - it's nothing to do with Munro tops

I would say Stob Coire nan Lochan is superior to most corbetts and even many munros due to its very prominent location. I have heard (although I don't know enough about it to give examples) that some hills have been accorded Munro status because of a prominent position. If this is true? If so, then Stob Coire nan Lochan deserves consideration.

houdi wrote:I would say Stob Coire nan Lochan is superior to most corbetts and even many munros due to its very prominent location. I have heard (although I don't know enough about it to give examples) that some hills have been accorded Munro status because of a prominent position. If this is true? If so, then Stob Coire nan Lochan deserves consideration.

Hmmm. I'd say Stob Coire nan Lochan is a better place to have lunch than most munros and many Corbetts. But why demote these great places onto the lists? Far better to keep them off list - they'll be quieter.