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David and I had been trying to do a hike for ages but the stars had never quite managed to align. However, with David spending a few days in Killin we worked out a plan for me to drive up. The hill he had his eyes on was Beinn an Lochain, a hill I had yet to climb. We met at the dam (well actually David caught me up just before it as I stopped to check I was on the correct road
) and we booted up.
The route was obvious as we headed down towards the bridge, and headed up the road.
Loch an Daimh
Soon the path branched off and we followed it steeply uphill. It was steep and it was nice to have someone to talk to as a distraction
The dam and back down Glen Lyon
David was clearly finding it quite difficult and it was really inspiring to see the determination with which he went about it!
David absolutely nailing it with Loch an Daimh behind
Looking back, the views were opening out nicely and it was shaping up to be as nice a day as the forecast had suggested (although I'd had my doubts when there had been a bit of rain coming over the Lawers road
)
I noticed a wee memorial part way up; I don’t know who David Reed was but he had one hell of a view
A good distance up, David decided he had had enough. He had climbed a good way but was concerned about how long it would take him to get down. After a photo shoot David assured me that he would be fine going down alone so we parted ways.
It was a steep climb up to the ridge where the views became more impressive…
Down to Loch an Daimh
Beinn an Lochain summit ahead
But more importantly the gradient eased
The ridge ahead looked really interesting and it was a really enjoyable walk along to the summit of Beinn an Lochain. Although after climbing Corbetts for the last month the whole concept of a path was unusual
It was a fabulous viewpoint and I was enjoying playing with lenses on the fancy camera.
Sron a’Choire Chnapanich ahead
Chnapanich and Meall Buidhe with Glencoe behind
Rannoch Mor and Glencoe
South towards Loch Lyon
Time for a pose!
Towards Bridge of Orchy and Tyndrum
Back along the ridge and towards the Lawers hills
Pointy McPointyFace
The Big Bookle and Black Mount
Lawers and friends
Loch Lyon and Orchy hills
Loch Lyon dam
Rannoch Mor, Glencoe and Mamores
As I was checking the map for my next move - to head along the ridge towards Chnapanich I was caught up by a guy whose name I don't remember but who had a greater effect on my day than I expected…. It turned out he had the plan of doing the circuit but had checked the stalking notices and discovered that that area was out of bounds.
I now had a moral dilemma. I had not checked the board. It hadn't occurred to me to think about stalking at the beginning of August. There didn't seem to be anyone out and had I not met my new friend I would have continued and probably been none the wiser. But now I did know….
Annoyed, but trying to do the right thing I retraced my steps with my new pal. He turned out to be good company and we chatted away all the way down. Back at the cars I saw that David had gone which meant he'd not only got down safely but also made excellent time!
We chatted to another guy out camping before I headed for Meall Buidhe seeing as I was there, and my friend for his caravan.
It was initially easy walking along the track before the path branched off. As I'd been warned it was a bit of a bog-fest and I squelched my way upwards.
Lawers hills
Down Loch an Daimh
The path seemed to mutate and there were many different sections of it. Eventually I arrived at a sort of Coll, and a final climb took me onto the ridge.
Summit ahoy!
From the ridge it was an easy walk around to the summit of Meall Buidhe which was an even better viewpoint than Beinn an Lochain,
Schiehallion
Lawers range
Beinn an Lochain with Ben More behind
Schiehallion again – looks odd without it’s white coat!
Ben Nevis
Loch Rannoch and Ben Alder range behind
Jaxter special
I could see right down Glencoe and with the aid of super duper lens I was able to get a half decent shot of it
Ben Nevis
Orchy hills
Schiehallion
Mamores
I think this is Ben Cruachan
Ben Lawers
Zoomed
It was pretty windy so I found a wee sheltered spot for a sandwich and consulted the map. Now I make no secret of my hatred of out-and-back routes and despite my best laid plans today was turning out to be two of them. Something in me snapped. Looking across at Cam Creag, I could see no stalkers and no deer. It was late in the afternoon and if I took a straight line across I would be on “out of bound” land for only a few kilometres….
I walked back along the ridge to the Coll where it was decision time…. The official story is that I went back down and this is me photoshopped on the summit of Cam Creag, which I'm sure is a fabulous viewpoint too…
obviously these photos are not mine as I wasn't there
A perfect example of a hanging valley – Geography A level
Looking back at Meall Buidhe from an undisclosed location
Lawers range
Tarmachan Ridge
Schiehallion and Glen Lyon hills
Loch Rannoch
Meall Ghaordie I think?
Beinn an Lochain
Crianlarich hills
Tarmachan Ridge again
Kinloch Rannoch
Zoomed top of Beinn an Lochain
The zoom on this thing is awesome
Ben More
Lawers
Ghaordie
Corbetts
All the Lawers hills
The sun starting to set
Final descent
Back at the dam
It was a tired but satisfied Jaxter that returned to the car.
It was a lovely drive back over the pass
Lochan na Lairige
I'll definitely return to do the circuit another time, but at least I know not to attempt it between July and September