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Ben Cruachan & Stob Diamh Circuit

Ben Cruachan & Stob Diamh Circuit


Postby SecretSquirrel » Sun Aug 03, 2014 11:37 am

Route description: Ben Cruachan and Stob Daimh

Munros included on this walk: Ben Cruachan, Stob Daimh

Date walked: 02/08/2014

Time taken: 5.75 hours

Distance: 14.8 km

Ascent: 1751m

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I got an early start on this round and managed to miss the worst of the days weather :D It was forecast for high cloud with light rain around 1pm and heavy rain coming in by 3pm.

I had some niggling concerns about crossing the slabs, some reports read that it was nothing others that it was scary, so despite scouring many photographs I wasn't entirely sure what to expect. My aim was to have passed the slabs and be over the ridge before the rain started. In the end, the slabs really were not a problem. I crossed the base of the slabs a few feet and then turned left up a rocky chute/ladder to the top of the slabs and carried on over the ridge.

The weather did break earlier than forecast and the rain started while I was crossing the ridge, but rather than dampen the spirits, it really added an extra air of atmosphere to the views. The views were stunning.

Great day out. :D


BenCruachan-StobDiamh.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts



Loch Awe. Start of the days walk looking across to the fish farms.
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First view of Cruachan Dam with the peak of Ben Cruachan in the background.
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A look down the length of the dam.
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Up the ladder to the top of the dam ...
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Cruchan reservoir.
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Beinn a' Bhuiridh across the reservoir.
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Heading on along the waters edge towards Ben Cruachan.
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Starting the route up heading for Bealach an Lochain.
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Odd waymarker/cairn on the climb up to Cruachan's rocky summit.
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Looking back down to Bealach an Lochain and Meall Cuanail.
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Summit cairn of Ben Cruachan with the remains of a Trig Point.
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Looking down to the reservoir from the summit of Cruachan.
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Stob Dearg looking spectacular in the mist.
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Looking across the ridge to Drochaid Ghlas and in the background Stob Diamh looking very far away!
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Drochaid Ghlas.
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The route up Stob Diamh.
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Looking back to Drochaid Ghlas.
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Summit cairn of Stob Diamh. Second Munro of the day.
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Looking ahead to Stob Garbh from the summit of Stob Diamh.
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Cairn on the top of Stob Garbh with Ben Cruachan behind.
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Last look back at the hills as the weather moves in before heading for the path back.
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User avatar
SecretSquirrel
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 420
Munros:124   Corbetts:26
Fionas:24   Donalds:76
Sub 2000:10   Hewitts:1
Joined: Jul 2, 2012
Location: Hamilton

Re: Ben Cruachan & Stob Diamh Circuit

Postby Johnny Corbett » Sun Aug 03, 2014 9:46 pm

Good stuff, this is a walk i'd like to do again as it was one i didn't get any views from. :D
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Johnny Corbett
Mountain Walker
 
Posts: 2983
Munros:25   Corbetts:214
Fionas:168   Donalds:74
Sub 2000:302   Hewitts:1
Islands:14
Joined: May 14, 2010
Location: Livingston

Re: Ben Cruachan & Stob Diamh Circuit

Postby AnnieMacD » Mon Aug 04, 2014 8:51 pm

Beautiful scenery above the loch. Love the last photo of the weather closing in.
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AnnieMacD
Mountaineer
 
Posts: 789
Munros:25   Corbetts:15
Fionas:13   
Sub 2000:8   
Joined: Jun 25, 2013
Location: Applecross

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