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;

A cold summers day for a Pubil Corbett double

Hill: Meall Buidhe (907m) (Yellow rounded hill) & Sron a’ Choire Chnapanaich (837m) (The nose of the knobbly corrie)

Type: Corbetts

A return to one of my favourite glens but is this summer I asked myself as I stood at the end of Glen Lyon with the wind howling, the clouds grey, smirry rain and it was cold.

Start from houses

The double Corbett circuit seemed less attractive at this moment. Nevertheless hardy souls we are and off we went doing an anti clockwise circuit following the Cicerone route and not WH or SMC, highly recommended apart from the longer lochside walk at the end.

Up through the Pubil estate following an estate track until we reached the small hydro dam, the coos were aplenty but they ran away, yipee. Avoiding the numerous large pats was harder than avoiding them.

We initially stayed lower down, heading across the moor, wet and boggy at times, small hags, typical upland moor before, cutting up to the ridge to find the iron fence poles. After that it was a straightforward walk to the 1^st summit of Sron, under 2 hours good going. The number of frogs around today was unreal. 

Good views down over the very low reservoir of Loch an Daimh. There is a big drop but you are not aware of it.

Heading for burn and then up to the bealach

The next section to the 2^nd Corbett was to be the most awkward and as such the hardest. A steep descent to find the burn, peat hags to be avoided.

Then followed the burn upwards before peeling off to head for the ridge to find the next set of old fence posts. The contouring and rubbish terrain was hard work.

At the old posts there was a faint track, amazing how much easier the going is when the ground is flattened to a track, I was not complaining.

The next top is visible on our left but we are following the poles and taking a circular route before heading directly for the obvious cairn. Once again big is not always best as the true cairn is the smaller one further on. 

Summit plateau

Not the true top even though the cairn is miles bigger

It was pretty cold, almost freezing but the couple of Spaniards with us thought our weather was great compared to the oppressive summer heat they are used to. Surely there is a compromise to be found.

Our route now differs from the other routes as we headed due south down the steep grassy slopes. Stopping on same slopes for food and to enjoy great views over Loch Lyon and the impressive Coire Eoghannan, got to be some deer in there.

Found the required gate

Next a burn crossing before through the open gate in the deer fence. There is a very faint ATV track to follow through the newish plantation but beware there were a lot of hidden holes where trees had not been planted, care required.

Long walk back to the dam

Finally, we reached the loch and the long walk back to the cars with one steep climb to finish that I would rather not have had.

Overall, an excellent ramble in good company but some heat please.

Ascent: 1026m

Distance: 16.9

Time: 6.09

Wildlife: Common Frog; Small Heath Butterfly; Chimney Sweeper moth; Hare; Red Deer (hinds); Golden Eagle: Raven.

Could not see much yellow.....Meall Buidhe (Glen Lyon)

Hill: Meall Budhie (Glen Lyon) (Yellow Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 932m

Today was meant to be a double up and down Munro bash but the forecasted weather made me think twice. I had a long drive to the start and heavy rain was forecast to arrive between 2 & 3. Additionally a grey day with thick cloud so nae views so only one hill.

It was also meant to be a completion of my Glen Lyon Munros, maybe tomorrow.

Met a huge timber tractor vehicle on the very narrow road but thankfully we got past each other as I headed to the normal starting spot at Loch an Daimh. One car parked up (never saw them) and another arrived as I was walking off. Looked a bit of an odd chap and I barely got an acknowledgement as I walked away.

There are another two Corbetts down there somewhere in the gloom

There were low clouds around and drizzle as I started. I suppose this route breaks into three sections.

The estate route

Following the stalking advice I took the standard route (path 1) up-to the the main plateau. A decent gradient and slightly boggy but decent progress made.

Loch na Daimh

Section 2 is the peat hags, I seem to have come across much more of these than normal over the last few months. An intermittent track through the hags but again could have been a lot worse. Then a short pull up to the cairn at Meall a’ Phuill (possibly the hill of the mud, I wonder why?)

Open top

Further on small cairn not sure for what

Section 3 is the ridge walk to the summit with Glas Choire on your right but seen much better on the return. When the clouds lifted this was a very green coire definitely not grey. Lots of deer droppings but none spotted.

Top in view

Reached the summit cairn where I am assured there are spectacular views over Loch Rannoch, Scheihallion, Ben Nevis and lots more, but not for me today.

Looking back

Returned by the same route passing Mr Odd on the ridge, who was accompanied by his obvious clone, son of Mr Odd, poor boy. Again a brief nod from Mr Odd but nothing from junior, not even an eye glance, brought up well!!

At the far end clouds still not coming over the ridge

Great views of the atmospheric clouds swooping into the corries but never coming over the tops onto the ridge. Superb atmospheric viewing and I’m glad I am seeing some views.

Descent across the hags

Looking down on the northern parts of Loch an Daimh it is still so low on water.

Stuc an Lochain and big shadow on the loch

On the descent I was now getting good views of the companion hill, Stuc an Lochain. I was studying the ascent route so much that somewhere I missed a turn from my ascent route. I realised things were not as they should be but no big deal as I was still on a well worn path so followed this back down to the estate trail. At one point I could see three walkers at the point where I left the track and started my ascent. Clearly they had seen me and spent a bit of time debating the route before heading up my ascent route. I was too far away to shout but either start would have done for Section 1.

The weather had held up although heavy grey clouds were still threatening to drop those heavy showers.

An enjoyable short walk and surely one of the quickest Munros to bag.

Ascent: 555m

Distance: 9.01

Time: 2.43

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Hooded Crow; Golden Plover; Wheatear,

First early winter day of the season.....Meall nan Subh

Hill: Meall nan Subh (Hill of the berries, probably wild raspberries)

Type: Corbett

Height: 804m

I like a noticeboard

A straightforward ascent via a private road helps with the start of the walk. The sky constantly alternated between brilliant blue and slate grey. The grey ones were bringing in the first snow showers of this winter and many surrounding tops were dusted white. Not surprisingly the very strong wind was bitterly cold. The consolation for me was that I was ascending on the lee side and at times was too warm. 

As good a spot as any to head up

The ridge now in sight

After the private road there are no tracks to this top so simply pick the spot you like best and head up the grassy/moorland slopes. There is a lot of running water, much of it hidden along with many grassy covered deep holes so care was required. This is big hill country so no hardship to stop and see which ones I could name. 

Head for the high spot on right

Typical terrain

The high spot

I knew that reaching the crest of the hill was only the beginning as there is a large plateau full of peat bogs to negotiate. I headed to the most obvious high point which gave me a good view of the final boggy section and of the jumble of hills that holds the summit, but which one, not quite as obvious as it looks in the snap? 

Can finally see the Corbett from high spot 

On my side of the hags I spotted an ATV track which obviously skirted the worst, a no brainer, use local knowledge. The wind was fierce and I was breaking icy patches as I descended along with the squally snow bursts. I followed the ATV track alongside more iced peat hags, sprung 5 black grouse, great sight. At the end of the hags I climbed to a new plateau and could see that the small top directly ahead had a broken trig. As I neared it I was sure the hill beside me was higher, here we go again. So up the flanks of this one I went, blinded by the low sun, goggles and sun glasses in the boot, another not so smart move. Finally got to the top and the broken cairn was definitely below this top. 

Meall Ghaordaid

Corbetts from Pubil

View east down Glen Lyon

The views were top drawer particularly over and down Glen Lyon. The two Corbetts from Pubil looked a good round, a pair for the future. Meall Ghaordaid's north flank particularly white. Behind it the twin prongs of Beinn nan Eachan and Creag na Caillich looking very steep. 

Heading back, rough stuff

Back on the private road with the twin peaks in the distance

Zoomed in on the twin peaks

Far too cold to hang about so headed back the same way. I heard a sharp bark and a red fox ran away from me quickly rounding a hummock, too quick to get the camera out. It has been a few years since I saw a hill fox and it was a large one. A good ramble but it might be time to get the spikes packed.

Ascent: 759m

Distance: 12.3km

Time: 3.39

Wildlife: Black Grouse (5); Red Fox; Roe Deer; Buzzard; Raven; Meadow Pipit;