One long road + two small Munro's = one HUGE surprise...

Baino arrived early this morning and we departed Aberdeen at quarter past eight to head for Aberfeldy, then on into Glen Lyon. We took the scenic route down at a leisurely pace and arrived at Loch an Daimh ready to walk at quarter to twelve (BST).

We had decided to attempt both the Munro's at the end of Glen Lyon, given that they were both only 5.25 miles each side of the Dam...a ten and a half mile day sounded achievable in the time frame...even taking account of the near 600m drop and the 8km between summits.

Looking at the map we chose to tackle Stuchd an Lochain first, feeling that it had the harder ascent of the two, better to get the steeper climb out of the way first. we followed the path around the head of the dam and then began to climb a faint path up Coire Ban until we reached a height of 850m on the ridge of Creag an Fheadain. This was extremely tiring and strength sapping on the legs...not helped by the loose stones and water on the path...breathing out of our hoops we then followed this path until the ridge flattened out. There were some fantastic views back down to the Loch

 and across to Glen Lyon Munro's and Lawers Munro's.

We continued to climb onto the height of Sron Chona Choirein at 927m then followed the path round the corrie until the final climb up to the summit cairn of Stuchd an Lochain at 960m.

It was only when we reached the summit that we could take in the splendid panorama of Munro's that greeted us...from Glen Lyon in the north-east around to Lawers range in the east...Ben More and Crianlarich in the south-east...Tyndrum in the south...Bridge of Orchy in the west and best of all Buachaille Etive Mor in the north-west...Rannoch moor lying like a barren wasteland between us and my favourite Munro...we could even make out Ben Nevis lying beneath some cloud.

The weather was clear and the views were sumptuous...a Munroists delight. The usual pics were taken at the top..

a quick bite to eat...then off down the return path to the dam. Once back at the dam we stopped at the car so that poles could be collected for the next climb. We then set off on the path beyond the dam..turning left along an access road for approximately 600m...then turning onto an even fainter path than the last one and heading up hill again.

We headed steeply north along the Coire nam Miseach...stopping halfway so that Chris could polish off his sandwiches and offer round the rock cakes that Meghan had baked specially for us. Delicious as always young lady...keep up the good work!!

From here we trudged across peat hags, which would have proven treacherous in the wet, until we reached the obvious path leading to Meall a Phuill...from here we climbed onto the height at 917m...then traversed the final 1k to the summit cairn on Meall Buidhe at 932m...

By the time we arrived the wind had increased and the temperature had dropped...though the sun was still casting a hazy light across our view...almost making it impossible to pick out any of the Munro's in our pics...but we knew what we were seeing and loved every second of it...these are the days you live for in the hills...views everywhere and piecing together where everything is...like your very own interactive map...

Scheihallion and Loch Tummel were more prominant on this occasion...Ben Nevis was completely covered in cloud and Buachaille Etive Mor was cast in a dark shadow as the sun shone brightly on Rannoch Moor...

Jelly McBaby was blown over a few times before I got the pic I wanted...then we were off again down the path and back to the car...total walking time was 6hrs 15mins for both these Munro's...more than respectable. As always we had an enjoyable day...putting the world to rights at times...laughing at previous adventures at other times...

Baino always eyeing me suspiciously to see if I have any new kit...thankfully I didnt need to wear gloves today so he didnt spot them...the road back felt shorter than getting there...I even had the added bonus of annoying some cock that almost drove into the back of my car in his haste to overtake me at a passing place...oh the pleasure I took in driving at 30mph just to see his face in my rearview mirror...priceless!! Until next time fellow walkers...enjoy those summits..... 

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