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Another nice day to be had in the Glen Lyon area, although not as bright and clear as previous weekends.
The snow has nearly all gone except for a few stretches on Stuchd an Lochain, which didn't give any cause for concern, but Crampons and Ice Axe was taken just in case.
Lovely drive up with excellent views, first time on the road from Ben Lawers car park and it was great with some four to five foot snow drifts still in situ at the side of the road, but not on the road itself.
I decided to do Stuchd first because on reading reports i thought that it would have been easier to follow from the maps and once up, I could plan my route up Meall Buidhe from a good vantage point.
Parked the car and left the car park at about 1006 just after a couple who I bumped into a few times on both hills and they were kind enough to take my summit shots for me.
- Start of walk with steep climb ahead
The guide books mention the start of this walk as being steep, which it was, but it was a good path and rewarding with views down the Glen or up the Dam to take your mind off the climb.
Once you reach Creag an Fheadain the views over to the south open up and they are great, but you had to watch for the ice patches on the path.
- Steep climb finished and view ahead
Got very windy at this point and it was a cold wind, but looking ahead your adrenalin kicks in and you just want to get to the summit.
Snow was nice to look at, but didn't cause any issues with enough exposed grass to avoid the snow if that is what you wanted to do.
Compared to Weaselmasters walk report "2 Easy Lyons - Stuched and Buidhe" the conditions at the top was totally different and it was only the weekend before.
Thanks to a lovely couple, and their dog, I got a nice full length summit shot with no snow on the summit. Excuse the hat, it was all I could find in the boot of the car, but my ears were warm.
- Stuchd summit
- Snow waiting to go
Did think on the way up about the long walk round, but decided to walk back to the car park when I took in the views from the summit. Decided i would lighten my load at the car before heading to Meall Buidhe seen as I could see I would not need crampons or ice axe.
- Second target
With the views of Buidhe I knew roughly what route I was going take, this was confirmed when I spotted the small cairn on the road and the light track going up.
The path was easy enough, but was also easily lost and although I had my map and compass, I could see the target ahead so that is what I aimed for.
The peat bogs were great fun trying to dodge them and it was easier because some points were still solid underfoot with the frost and still some snow.
After what seemed a long climb I got to the top and wishful thinking I thought I reached the summit, until I got there and seen I still had a bit to do.
- Not quite there yet
Another summit photo thanks to the nice couple. Great views all around on this summit, sometimes you don't realise how long you stop for to take in the views, but it is a must when the weather is good.
Way down was easy enough although you have to be careful in the bogs as it is easy to loose the path although you can easily just keep your eye on where the dam is and head for that point.
- Last of the snow on Buidhe
A good day out with some great views on the hills and from the car on the road up.