Snowy day on Cruachan

[Quadbarrel]

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First (and hopefully of many) walk reports!

Finally picked Ben Cruachan as the hill to do yesterday morning after debating for the last week over which one to do.

So this morning hauled myself out of bed at crazy-o-clock to maximize what little daylight is around and was at the station below Cruachan by 8:30. Headed up through the foggy little wood and eventually came out of the mist to the first view of the day over Loch Awe.

The view a bit further up

Continued up the path and as we advanced further up it got substantially boggier so we were glad to get onto tarmac again. Headed towards the dam until we were right underneath it, then headed up the zig-zag path, up the steps and on to the dam itself.

Amazing reflections on the perfectly still reservoir

Back to Loch Awe

Headed to the left of the dam, then joined the track round the side of the reservoir and after a couple of kilometres and a quick look at the tunnel exits joined the path up towards Coire Dearg. After celebrating the first snow I've seen this year in the form of a snowball aimed at dad, we began the long slog up to the bealach.

Up and away!

The view back (yet again)

Further up

Dancing on ice after finally reaching the bealach

Another view

Another slog up the ridge and we finally reached the top

Me at the top!

Panorama

Loch Etive

Once we headed off the peak only then we saw how pointed it is!

Looking at the daunting walk ahead

Once we reached Drochaid Ghlas it was a quick dash to the top then back down into the bealach - funny to think there was a tunnel half a kilometre below us!

Looking across to Stob Diamh, Beinn a'Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich

Me with a strange smile on

After that it was a gentle stroll to the top of Stob Diamh compared to what we had just done!

Looking back

Stob Garbh

Heading down

The view from Stob Garbh

Tried to stick with the path but it was hard as it was buried under the snow so ended up heading right down the right hand side of the ridge .

There's a unicorn!

Surprise surprise... A view!!!

Eventually our makeshift path joined the main one and turn into a bog . We were very glad to get to the tunnel entrance and the access road to it. Stopped to put the snow poles away and shed some layers at the dam, then it was back down the way we came.

Dad makes an appearance!!!

The Cruachans - Ben, the dam and Allt

[RadMan]

What a great day you had. Its a superb walk isn't it with grand views all round.
I kept that one for my 100th munro so it will always be in my memory.
Stick in young lad, I wished I was climbing the mountains of Scotland at your age.
Stay safe.

[Quadbarrel]

Thanks very much and yeah, the views were unbelievable. My dad is really right when he says that I've caught the bug for it! 100 seems a long way away still though - only a dream for me!