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I had been reading
Alteknacker’s report in preparation for this as I was planning to pretty much follow his route, hopefully in similar conditions. I enjoyed reading about his catalogue of disasters and with the naiveite of (relative) youth assumed that my day would go exactly as I’d planned
I hadn’t got away as early as planned but other than that it was an easy journey and I arrived at the Falls of Cruachan at just before 9. It was a beautiful day; the sun was out as I put my boots on and set off up the steps and passed through the underpass.
It was a steep climb and already I was regretting the number of layers I had on. However, the view was totally worth it
I passed a couple of people on their way down who had been camping by the reservoir – it sounded like it had been a windy night
I managed to get over the wobbly stile directly above a big drop
and came out on the track with a view that was definitely worth the effort
The locals were out to greet me as I walked by…
Climbing up the side of the dam – it was huge
Climbing up the awkward and very steep metal ladder I was on the top of the dam! The sky over Cruachan looked blue and the cloud was blowing in and out but the other side of the reservoir was thick grey clag….
It was also super windy – the corrie was acting as a big wind tunnel so it was time to get going – the easy track meant that I covered distance quickly and before long I found myself at the end of the reservoir
The path was a bit boggy initially but was generally in relatively good nick. There was the odd patch of very wet snow but nothing difficult. Soon enough a river crossing was required….there was quite a lot of water in the burn so I was having a look for a good place to get across….I spied one just upstream…
However....disaster struck
I reached up to pull myself over a wee bump and the boulder I’d grabbed came away in my hand and came flying downwards smashing into my shoulder and ribs on its descent and sending me flying.
Of all the things to say “Oh s**tballs” were the words that came out my mouth
Fortunately nothing seemed to be broken
Or if it was, it wasn’t broken too badly
I was going to have some awesome bruises in a few days though
I could go back down or I could carry on…. I decided that my confidence was a bit shaken and the ridge wasn’t going to happen but it would be nice to get to the top of Cruachan at least….I slowly continued up the path
Finally I reached the snow level….it was very slippery and wet and it was steep ahead so on went the crampons. Turns out putting crampons on when your left shoulder can’t really move and you may have broken ribs is kind of hard
Geared up I dragged myself the back wall of Coire Dearg until I finally reached the bealach. It wasn’t a pleasant climb – the snow was awful, like walking on wet sugar and I hoped it improved as I climbed higher!
Looking back down – the other side still in clag
At the bealach I turned right and headed up the ridge. There was a short snow-less section which I managed to pick my way across without removing my crampons before I was back into it. There was clag ahead but as it was so windy it kept blowing through fairly quickly allowing glimpses of clarity.
The continuation of the ridge
My next target
There were some big cornices to avoid and it was steep. Breathing hurt, moving hurt, I was tired. My slip had shaken me more than I’d thought. The snow still hadn’t improved and was horrible and slippery
I wasn’t looking forward to coming back down this section!
Finally I was up the final ascent and standing on the top
The view was….non-existant
But I figured if I waited….
Wahey
A bit sore and precariously balanced for my usual pose…
Looking down towards the reservoir
It was cold and windy, I was in pain and it didn’t seem to be clearing any better so I figured I’d better start heading down. It always seems to be worse going down but at least I could follow my footprints back down. I met a guy shortly after leaving the summit who thanked me for leaving him footprints to follow
After a chat we went our separate ways.
Looking back up
Look at that cornice!
Back up the ridge
Back at the bealach, I didn’t really fancy going back down the corrie as the snow was so horrible. Why not go back over Meall Cuanail? While I was considering this another guy arrived at the bealach – he’d made it up without crampons
As I climbed up Meall Cuanail the views back the way started to open out a little – maybe I’d get a view from the top
Looking back
Ahead – the sun was really trying to break through
There were some rocky bits on the ascent and I realised scrambling is hard with injuries
But looking back was a good distraction
Reaching the summit there was an impressive cairn but no views. Look, I found Santa
From here it was an easy case of following the fenceposts downwards. Soon I ran out of snow and had to remove my crampons (also painful) but it was nice to have them off as I managed to keep catching the points in my trousers. It was just going to be one of those days wasn’t it….
Follow the fenceposts – it’s like being in the Borders
Eventually I started to come out of the clag and I could see wee Lochan na Cuaig with Loch Awe behind
Stob Diamh is really trying to clear…
Looking back up to Meall Cuanail
The worst of the descent done I cut left down beside a burn to reach the track alongside the reservoir. There had been plenty of footfall here so it must be a recognised route.
Back at the dam Beinn a’ Bhuiridh was clear
I had to stop to remove some layers here – it was very warm. I’d forgotten my clothes were all covered in green slime from my fall; I must have looked a right sight
Safely back down the step ladder it was a very warm but nice walk back down….
Impressive waterfalls
I managed to nearly go flying a few times on this last section and then stood in a poop some dog owner hadn’t bothered to clear up
so it was just one of those days….
Loch Awe
Back at the car I chilled for a while before driving home – turns out it’s quite hard to drive with limited movement in my shoulder
One visit to Minor Injuries later, it seems I’ll live
Still, despite the long list of calamities I had an good day. And I’ll be back to do the full traverse another time
(in 4-6 weeks when my ribs are sorted
)