9C - BEN CRUACHAN
From Ben Cruachan looking back to Stob Diamh, the wee bump centre skyline, Beinn a' Chochuill ridge to left. Photo tms.nickbramhall.com
5.6 miles 750 metres
Start Wednesday 14.20
Stob Diamh 14.46
Ben Cruachan 15.15
Finish 15.48
Squares: yellow - changeover, red, finish, Circles summits: green - this leg. Map Colin Matheson
Time: Estimated 1.53 Actual 1.28
Steve writes:
Good sleep last night, in tent at lay-by below Buachaille Etive Mor, felt refreshed! Drove down to Dalmally in morning and walked up track to Lairig Noe. Very warm in sunny, slight breeze on col and became more cloudy but no midges so very pleasant 2 ½ hr wait for Ifor.
He arrived with a mighty shout from near top of Beinn a' Chochuill – I couldn't see him at first but spotted him picking his way through crags half way down, therefore plenty of time to pack gear away and don bumbag! Photo of Ifor and spent 10 seconds chatting to him before he insisted that I move on!
Pushed hard towards Stob Diamh, contouring first peak and arriving after 25.55 (5 mins up), started at 14.17. Good run along ridge and over middle peak at 1099m, too rocky/ craggy to contour. Ridge good running, dry granite therefore good grip; very warm but not sunny. Arrived Ben Cruachan after 55.26 (split 29.31, 6 mins up on schedule) – good views and actually met some people for first time on relay, no time to chat!
Fast descent down south ridge, path to Cruachan Resevoir and path to visitor centre; arrived after 1 hr 20 mins (split 32.51, 15 mins up!) Couldn't find Craig at first (tried Power Station car park by mistake!) Spotted him in visitor centre car park and vaulted fence and into car whilst he was tying up his shoes! - didn't realise it was me. Fairly quick drive round to Auch to drop off Craig at 16.17.
Total time for my run 1hr 28mins therefore 25 mins up on schedule and best run so far; makes a lot of difference having good weather and running with bumbag only.
Peaks done 71 Hours elapsed 80 Peaks to do 206
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