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For todays winter trek I'd be re-united with my old walking buddy Gordon, alongside a small band of like minded folk from the Scottish Hillwalking & Activities Group. The group consisted of the usual array of interesting characters from far and wide, all with good banter, a story to tell and showing real passion for the outdoor lifestyle.
Original plan was to do Cruachan & Diamh but with fresh snow aplenty and a high avalanche risk on NE slopes we played it safe and chose to ascend/desend Diamh via it's NW shoulder - less risky.
Gordon picked me in Glasgow around 6.30am, after I'd stuck on my yaktrax to navigate through an icy Kelvingrove Park - worthy of its own TR, and we headed North
The drive up the A82 was rather spicy - check out the gritter/snow plough around 30s!
As usual, a stop at the Green Welly shop - a hub for outdoor folk to parade their new gear - entailed passing of water and a catch up with other walkers. We left and drove west - Loch Awe was soon in site.
The forecast stated mostly foggy with some snow showers, it appeared correct
Off we went, straight up through the wooded area, heart rates pounding!
Looking back towrds Loch Awe - now free of the wooded area.
We soon approached the Cruachan Dam, an arrangement of big boy Tonka Trucks scattered the landscape.
The views started to open up, glimpses of sunshine pierced through the misty haze...was I dreaming
Followed the track East of the Dam then started to ascend Diamh's NW shoulder. The fun factor was now high
Reservior Reflections
Heading up the shoulder...
The banter was flowing between the young guard and the old brigade, unfortunately I now qualify for the OB, but I still had the legs to show these youthful people how it's done. Now enjoying the physical challenge I shot up the ridge Northwards. Kept looking back at the wondrous views, the group now resembling ants - big mutant ones!
My eyes were also pulled West looking along the ridge to the Summit of Ben Cruachan...
and SW to the Cruachan reservior.
Higher up the sun started to peak over Beinn a Bhuiridh and provided an awesome backdrop, I was now above the clouds and the word breathtaking springs to mind. Officially, this was now a top grade winter sunshine walk
I'd stuck on the crampons about 150M before the summit as I was now finding it hard to kick steps into the hard snow, any excuse really
I stopped at the Munro top of Stob Garbh and changed into dry tops, I was wet...with all the physical exertion! Time for food whilst waiting on the others. We all had a bite to eat here. Having already done Diamh I chose to stay put and take in the surrounding whilst the other followed the ridge for 400M to reach the true summit point.
On our descent, and reaching the Dam, the weather had changed and the fog was thick...but we all had huge grins on our faces, and it wasn't from the young brigades banter
.
Todays walk was just fantastic, can't beat winter sunshine walks with clear views and no wind.
Thanks to Gordon for organizing. Must also mention that Gordon has trained up over 120 people in navigation skills for free over the years, he's now taking a break from this role within the group. Well done mate
Also nice to see the younger folk out. Young Harrison at only 18 has already climbed Mont Blanc and has booked up for the Himalayas. Passion flows through his veins and it's infectious. A great way to spend those early years, and later ones,
Good on ya mate.
Cheers.