BRIDGE of ORCHY; WH Meet 31.10.10

[Jockstar]

After being out on Beinn a Bheithir a lot of the WH crowd decided enough was enough and headed for home. As this was my first time to Glen Coe I was determined to make the most of it and try and bag another Munroe. It wasn’t looking promising until Stretch decided that it might be a good idea for us to head south and take in a walk at Bridge of Orchy. I was delighted with this news and because of the great ‘drying room ‘at the Hostel we were able to get into totally dry clothes for the next walk. So we are heading for the car when Andy asked Nathan what his plans were and he said he was off home. Andy told him about the plan to do Beinn Dothaidth and Beinn Dorain at Bridge of Orchy and the decision was made. So off we set and reached the car park by the Bridge of Orchy Hotel and set off by going to the railway station and through the underpass and up onto the hill. The weather couldn’t be much better with bright sunshine and a nice walking temperature.

Heading up the path towards the bealach

The stream that ends up in Loch Tulla

Before long we were shaking off the stiffness of the previous day and settling into a rhythm . We could see quite a large party as we headed up to the Bealach but other than that had the hills to ourselves. Making good progress we reached a good point to take a break, before getting up the rocky Scramble and onto the bealach where we would have a quick food and drink refuel, mainly as a result of that rare thing – the sun!

The stream that ends up in Loch Tulla

Nearly at the bealach

We decided to do Beinn Dothaidh first which was the boggy Monroe and so it proved. We met a couple on the way down who confirmed the views being ‘great’. So we struck out and covered the ground pretty well especially as it was not good in places. On taking a bearing we then headed to cross the path, which we then joined and headed north east. It became easier going after that and we then cut up towards the top. The actual summit we were looking was the middle one of three tops .We got to the top without much trouble and then headed back down trying to miss out the boggy places that we came across on the way up.

Stretch and myself at the cairn

Before long we were back on the Bealach at the spot we stopped at before. After having another short break and everyone enjoying the walk we headed up Beinn Dorain. This was chalk and cheese as the stony ground coupled with long stone slabs made walking easier and we set a good pace up the towards the top.

The way up to Dorain

The path carries on until you get to a steep rise beyond which is the cairn

We then went across a fairly flat piece before having to get up a fairly steep, rock strewn path. However once up that we were in shot of the Summit and then got fooled by the number of cairns that came before the real one.

Wee Lochan looking over Loch Tulla

The path to the 'proper ' cairn

jockstar at the top of Beinn Dorain

From this craggy outcrop you had great views across to Ben Lui and to Stob Ghabhar and towards Loch Awe and loch Lomond.

Ben Lui in the distance

Stretch and Nathan with Loch Tulla behind

It was a great end to a great weekend and we made our way back to the car and said our goodbyes. For me, it was fish and chips at The Real Food Co. in Tyndrum – a perfect finish to a perfect week-end.

[Merry-walker]

Good one Jockstar

the weather was on your side

you must've been tired after all the walking that weekend

[Jockstar]

absolutely cream crackered...

but still up for more

[alanmurray]

Great report Jockstar - and good effort.
Still to climb in that area.

Cheers Alan

[Jockstar]

A.M - It was like going from the Vauxhall conference to the premiership in one week....absolutely brilliant !