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Well i finally made it to Scotland! After a number of aborted trips(mainly down to the weather,suprisingly!) i arrived with hope in my heart for a week of climbing some big 'hills' & getting my first few Munro's under my belt.
Parking in the small space at Falls of Cruachan station,i donned my boots & at 10.35am headed off up the steps & under the railway(watch yer baldy head) for the hot,sweaty ascent through the trees to the dam. I must admit,i found it quite hard going at first, i'd not been out much in the previous couple of months & thus i wasn't what you'd call mountain fit.
Clambering up the metal steps on to the top of the dam i headed left across it to find the track at the side of the reservoir. The flat walk along it came as a welcome,albeit brief respite. Taking the '2nd' path on the left i started the steep ascent to Coire Dearg & thankfully found my legs had finally loosened up & i headed on up until i reached the small Lochan at the Bealach between Meall Cuanail & the main top of Ben Cruachan itself. The climb onwards was pretty relentless but i was rather enjoying it now,knowing that my goal was not far away with the views getting better with every step.
Suddenly i was at the summit, a combined feeling of relief & exhilaration sweeping over me as i stood there taking it all in with a stupid grin on my face. It had taken me 3 hours & 25 minutes from leavimg the car. I sat for quite some time taking it all in,breathtaking 360 degree views & i had it all to myself.
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After a refuel i headed on to the lovely looking ridge leading to Stob Diamh & quickly reached the stone slabs where i decided i'd rather cross these than descend/reascend by the avoider path. Stepping up onto the slab i overstretched & AARRGGHH.the seering pain as cramp shot through my left thigh & then again this time in my right thigh. I gingerly got myself down onto the lower path where i rested,took on plenty of fluids & some more food. Deciding to continue i took it easy for a while & fortunately the cramp didn't return. The rest of the walk was pretty straight forward taking in the top of Drochaid Ghlas before reaching Stob Diamh where i spent 45 minutes just relaxing & looking at the superb views back to Cruachan.
Descended via Stob Garbh & the boggy path back to the reservoir & dam where the outward path was rejoined. A truely awesome day out,i didn't see a single soul all day, my first Munro will certainly live long in the memory. 9 hours 17 minutes start to finish.
