Author Topic: Ben Crauchan area trip  (Read 2008 times)

Lyle Brotherton

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Ben Crauchan area trip
« on: November 16, 2012, 12:40:38 PM »
The Ben Crauchan area in Argyll and Bute, just east of Oban, is simply stunning. 15 Munros all within easy reach, Scotland’s longest fresh water loch, Loch Awe at over 40km, and magical historic castles such as Kilchurn, the late ancestral home of the Campbells of Glen Orchy, make this area of the Southern Highlands one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Just don’t expect to get good weather, because, as my Grandmother used to say ‘You’re in Scotland!’



Wednesday we set off early for the summit of Ben Cruachan, which at 1126m, is the highest in the region, taking the route opposite the power station and through the railway arches with a scramble to the path that follows the outflow stream from the Crauchan Dam and forms the Falls of Crauchan to the Dam, a pumped-storage hydroelectric power station located in a cavern inside the mountain, up to Meall Cuanail, 918m. The going underfoot was treacherous with rotting leaves and lots of surface water making the steep ground, with a sharp drop to the east, treacherous. 7 weeks ago the Oban MRT had to recover a body from here where a man had slipped down the drop.



Reaching the dam face we practised with using hand flares, the Pains Wessex Type 8, an excellent hand flare that emits 15,000 candela for 60 seconds and is visible from up to 26km (16 miles) - with authority from Strathclyde Police to do so. Then took the direct route up to Meall Cuanail, hitting a dense cloud base at 450m



At the summit the wind and driving rain made sub-zero conditions, snow lay around us, and the cloud had reduced visibility to less than 10m. The walk from Meall Cuanail to the ben is relatively safe, and on reaching 1000m we had passed thru the cloud and enjoyed spectacular views over the banks of clouds. The walk back, which involved other detours and practice, was arduous, not least because of failing light and 30kg rucksacks, getting back to the lodge around 2000hrs.

The Pass of Brander is definitely a region I would visit for pleasure and recommend other folk to do so, and the Lodge at Brander was a great place to stay with local beers.
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