BEN DORAIN GROUP
Achaladair and Chreachain in cloud from Beinn an Dothaidh. Photo tms.nickbramhall.com
13.2 miles 1940 metres
Start Wednesday 21.55
Beinn Mhanach 22.23
Beinn a' Chreachain 23.06
Beinn Achaladair 23.42
Beinn an Dothaidh Thursday 00.25
Beinn Dorain 01.23
Finish 02.16
Squares: yellow - changeover, red - finish. Circles summits: green - this leg. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 5.30 Actual 4.21
Dave writes:
Wednesday had passed slowly, initial hopes of doing this round in daylight faded as bad weather, rain and low cloud caused lost time, or scheduled time to only just be achieved. A clearance was forecast but it was slow moving. The rain had stopped as I headed up Auch Gleann for the changeover with Alwyn, the cloud on Beinn Mhanach had lifted before I got there, but the dread remained, what's it like in the cloud in the dark? I didn't want to find out.
I arrived at 8pm, soaking cold feet, hurry Alwyn I hoped. A cold wait, although conditions on the hill were improving slowly, then suddenly Alwyn appeared, forded the stream, passed the baton and I was off.
The desire to get as far as possible before dark led to a sub 30 minute ascent of Beinn Mhanach, then seeing that Beinn a' Chreachain was clear I forged on, arriving on its summit shortly after 11pm. The dark closed in, I put on extra gear. As I jogged round to Achaladair it cleared. On the Rannonch moor below thousands of lochans reflected the last of the light, a single red light was the only sign of man. Dreamlike I moved on, cloud came and went, sheep formed silhouettes, was that someone watching me?
Descending Beinn an Dothaidh I found some knee deep springs, compass work here, from the bealach a view to Bridge of Orchy, but first another excursion up into the dark and cloud. I soon lost the path, refinding it higher up, past the big cairn, narrow ridge then summit. Looks nasty beyond.
Retracing my steps I followed the path down, this gets smaller but the light is now improving, the clouds lift and I find myself above a stream with crags to its right, I've come down slightly too far right. Down to the bealach, then plunge down to the lights at Orchy, relief to be down, the weather looks good too for what should now be our last day.
Peaks done 262 time taken 11 days 23 hours peaks to go 15
We now had only one leg each before Ben Lomond. Ian is the first, atoning for his lack of care earlier.
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