Worth the steep ascent slog for the cracking views.....Stuc an Lochain

Hill: Stuc an Lochain (Peak of the Little Loch)

Type: Munro

Height: 960m

After the 1000m ascent of Beinn Narnain yesterday my legs were more that a little tired but this would be a good test of how good my early season fitness was. I had felt good yesterday so let’s see.

Yesterday was clear blue skies but with a bitterly cold wind up top and today was to be the same but with even stronger winds.

A beautiful drive over Ben Lawers and into the remote end of Glen Lyon, surely one of my favourites.

From the parking looking to Stuc an Lochain but you can't see the top from here

As I got near the start I could see a few cars at the Giorra dam parking area where luckily got the last formal slot. Blue skies bringing the walkers out.

I had climbed its buddy Meall Bhudie a few years ago but didn't think it would be so long before I returned to do this one.

I hadn't slept particularly well probably overthinking all the poor reviews that I had read about the awful straight up 400m or so that marks this Munro.

Wind shimmering the waters of Loch an Daimh

When I walked beside Loch an Daimh to the start cairn Wheatears were everywhere, nice to see them back, posing on rocks trying to attract a mate.

The start of the track is obvious and initially the track climbs gently contouring the hillside, all felt good.

Then it becomes the straight up track, 400m of slog. It is full of loose stones of various sizes mixed with boulders of various sizes. For most of it today it was also a mini stream as the water cascaded down the track and this is a dry period.

Having said all that, although it is not great, it was better than I expected. Yip it does go straight up but it constantly zig zags so the gradient did not match my bad dreams.

From the cairn the track to point 887

Surprisingly my legs were feeling good as did the temperature on the slopes but that was about to change when I reached the cairn that led onto open ground and the wind had changed, strong and cold.

I followed the old fence line upwards to point 887 where then I could see the magnificent summit of Stuc which looked further away than it really was. Around point 887 is where things could go wrong in bad weather and lead walkers onto crags.

Of course I was aware of this coming but it is always a little disheartening to see a big drop and re-ascent before getting onto the ridge that leads to the summit.

View across to Stuc an Lochain

The good thing is that the views were outstanding so soaked it in. The SMC guide says that this is the best part of the walk, the undulating grassy ridge alongside Coire an Lochain and look down into its depths to see the dark, circular Lochan nan Cat.

still a few snow patches

Perfect view Lochan nan Cat

There were some small solid snow patches which made it interesting at times due to being unavoidable and angled over drops. But the highlight before the summit was standing looking down on the perfect circular Lochan nan Cat. A view to remember.

Final climb a couple coming down

Finally it was the short, sharp final ascent to the summit with again a few more snow patches to detour or cross. I was pleasantly surprised when I unexpectedly reached the flat summit and then to find that the wind had disappeared.

The dam at Loch Lyon

The Bookle centre right with the Black Mount Munros on the left

Ben Nevis

The 360deg views were outstanding, one of the best that I have experienced for some time. All the Glen Lyon and Ben Lawers range very close by. Throw in the Crianlarich/Tyndrum/Bridge of Orchy ranges. Further afield the Black Mount and the Big Bookle and so much more. The cold air clarity meant that the only limit to how far you could see was your eyesight and the horizon.

View of the ascent ridge from the summit with Glen Lyon and Lawers range Munros behind

The cold wind was back up again, must be a windchill feel like minus temperature. There is an alternative descent which goes more directly to the loch side but I stuck with my ascent route even knowing that the stony track would not be a lot of fun. It wasn’t but I was able to use more grassy sections which probably reduced the stone sections by half. Still a lot of slow, careful walking on the slippy stones.

The Munro of Meall Buidhe

Muirburn pollution. Nice view of Glen Lyon behind.

Despite the care I was still able to enjoy the views over the loch and across to Meall Buidhe but still happy when I reached the main track which led back to the car. I had to stop to empty the painful small stones out of my boots which I had not been aware of until I reached the flat ground.

Overall a really good short ramble with spectacular views. Fitness was good so another plus point.

PS: As part of my research I came across this description in Ralph Storer’s book which is a classic. “Stuc an Lochain has a unique claim to fame in that it was the scene of the first ever recorded ascent of a Munro around 1590. The bagger, more (in)famous for abducting ladies and executing MacDonalds than for his hillwalking exploits, was Colin ‘The Mad’ Campbell of Glen Lyon. Although some say you have to be mad to climb mountains. Colin’s excuse was to stalk game”

Ascent: 731m

Distance: 9.6km

Time: 3.59

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit: Wheatear (1^st of year); Little Ringed Plover (1^st for years); Coal Tit; Chaffinch;