Ben Cruachan 4

[Broggy1]

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Day one of our three day trip to Scotland. We'd driven up with a few ideas in mind but eventually settled on this one with the weather looking superb on the Western coast.

Superb weather throughout for a long, tough but rewarding day.

After parking at the bottom of the Dam Road near Lochawe we initially followed the access road upwards until the Dam came into view with Cruachan behind.

We decided on this way round as if the walk was getting too much in the heat we could always bail after Stob Diamh and just do the regular horseshoe. It was one of the lads first trips to Scotland so we were uncertain what he could manage but in the end it was no problem!

We then crossed the Dam and followed a landrover track on the Western side of the Reservoir. Early but already very hot.

The ascent proper starts after that as we headed up the good path to the Bealach an Lochain

After turning right at the Bealach we arrived at Cruachan's stony and rough summit. A grand place to be on a day like this with far reaching views. Here looking along the ridge to Drochaid Ghlas and Stob Diamh.

A first Munro for this lad and doing well on a tough baptism of fire.

Looking over the Cruachan Reservoir (which seems to run into Loch Awe) to the Corbett Beinn a' Bhuiridh

Looking back at Cruachan from Drochaid Ghlas - what a mountain!

Cruachan and Drochaid Ghlas from Stob Diamh

Sron an Isean and the next two Munro's now ahead

As has been well documented in the past the descent from Sron an Isean to the Lairig Noe is awkward and steep (in slippy conditions it could even be dangerous).

While the ascent of Beinn a'Chochuill from the other side is steep and pathless.

Looking back at Cruachan

And again from the ascent of Beinn a'Chochuill. All eyes are on Cruachan throughout this walk.

Beinn a'Chochuill summit looking to Beinn Eunaich

Looking back at the hills climbed today

Beinn Eunaich summit

Four down! Tired after a long day in the sun and in need of a drink but done.

After a steep descent all that was left was the walk out on tracks and then pavement

[Alteknacker]

Nice one! It's a big drop and subsequent climb to Beinn a' Chochuill - 400m plus! Must have been quite a perspirational challenge in the excellent weather you had

Interesting to see Cruachan in summer - I was up there this last winter, and it was equally spectacular.

[Broggy1]

Nice one! It's a big drop and subsequent climb to Beinn a' Chochuill - 400m plus! Must have been quite a perspirational challenge in the excellent weather you had

Interesting to see Cruachan in summer - I was up there this last winter, and it was equally spectacular.

Thanks - yeah for sure water supplies were running very low near the end and maybe - on a boiling day like that - the route is best done in reverse as there are water opportunities coming off Cruachan itself.

Yeah a big pull to add Chochuill (nothing for you mind ) - we had a long break in between as the least experienced of us decided whether he wanted to carry on. He eventually decided to give it a go and we found it to be a steep, but honest climb that is quickly over in fairness.

[PerthAlly]

Good slog those 4. Especially in the heat.

I had super weather for Ben Cruachan a couple of years ago. But my legs wouldn't have coped with 4!

Well done