Date: Friday 22nd June 2018
Company: Just Myself
Distance: 8.5km, Ascent: 820m
Time: 3Hrs 20Mins
Having ascended Beinn Dorain earlier this year in winter conditions, I decided to return to Bridge of Orchy today to ascend its neighbour, Beinn an Dothaidh. I last ascended Beinn an Dothaidh way back in 1999.
I parked in the Bridge of Orchy Railway Station car park and set off walking towards Coire an Dothaidh.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
The ascent today was considerably easier than my ascent of Beinn Dorain in February as the track was not covered in snow and was therefore easy to follow.
Beinn an Dothaidh from just beyond the railway line:
The temperature was ideal for walking, a pleasant change from recent walking in baking hot sunshine.
Looking back towards Bridge of Orchy Railway Station:
To ascend the Fionas, I visited this part of Scotland numerous times. I will now have to revisit numerous more times to re-ascend all the Munros in the area
.Loch Tulla and the Black Mount hills:
The track up towards Beinn Dorain and Beinn an Dothaidh is badly eroded. Unfortunately someone has tried to address this problem by just dumping lots of loose stones on sections of the track. I really dislike walking on lots of loose stones, as do most others, therefore instead of fixing the problem this just tends to make people walk to the side widening the track with even more erosion.
Heading up towards Coire an Dothaidh:
Coire an Dothaidh:
Sample of stone dumping on track below.
My least favourite kind of path:
Crag on Beinn Dorain:
During my ascent to the col, I realised by how far I had missed the track during my snow-covered ascent back in February.
At the col between Beinn an Dothaidh and Beinn Dorain:
From the col, I continued on without stopping towards the summit of Beinn an Dothaidh.
Beinn an Dothaidh from the col:
Looking back to the col:
Ascending Beinn an Dothaidh:
During the final twenty minutes of ascent, the cloud level dropped capping Beinn Dorain in cloud. I could also see the cloud heading for Beinn an Dothaidh. Would I be able to reach the summit before the cloud hit?
Beinn Dorain capped in cloud:
Final ascent of Beinn an Dothaidh:
Had I reached the summit literally five minutes earlier, I would have got some views from the summit. Unfortunately, the cloud capped the summit during the final few minutes of my ascent
.Beinn an Dothaidh summit cairn:
As there was no views there was no point hanging around. I therefore just touched the cairn before making my way back to the van via the same route. During the ascent and descent I did not stop even once and carried the rucksack pretty much for nothing as I didn't once open it.
Descent to Bridge of Orchy:
I was glad to get back to the van as this ascent was much more pleasant in winter when everything was covered in snow.