Date: Friday 21st January 2022
Company: Myself and Ann-Marie
Distance: 25.4km, Ascent: 975m
Time: 7Hrs 35Mins
On Friday morning, we drove to Glen Lochay for an ascent of Stob nan Clach and Creag Mhor. Given clear skies above, wind and windchill, it was a cold start as we set off walking using our headtorches to light-up our route.
Route:
On reaching Kenknock, there is a choice of taking the upper or lower track both of which lead towards Creag Mhor. I opted for the lower track which runs alongside the River Lochay. After almost an hour of walking there was sufficient light to switch of our torches and get our first photographs of the day. It was a stunning morning with the weather nicer than the forecast.
Looking back along the track:
A short distance beyond Batavaime, we ascended from the lower track to the upper track before continuing along the upper track.
Onto the track joining the lower and upper tracks:
Instead of taking the standard ascent route via the SE ridge, given I wanted to ascend Stob nan Clach as well as Creag Mhor, I opted for an ascent via Coire Cheathaich. This route would take us up onto the col between Stob nan Clach and Creag Mhor and would avoid having to go out and back from Creag Mhor.
As we progressed up the lower slopes towards Coire Cheathaich we watched the cloud flowing down the slopes of Sail Dhubh.
Sail Dhubh:
The ascent via Coire Cheathaich was really pleasant. A gentler, less-steep way up than the SE ridge, albeit pathless.
On looking back it was nice to see the sun rise above the mountains. Here comes the sun doo-doo-doo-doo.
Sun rising above the mountains:
A brief stop:
As we progressed up the lower coire and then the upper coire, we were walking in and out of low cloud. On eventually reaching the col between Stob nan Clach and Creag Mhor, I made my way to the summit of Stob nan Clach while Ann-Marie had a brief rest at the col.
At the summit of Stob nan Clach:
After returning to the col, we carried on up the frost-covered slopes towards the summit of Creag Mhor.
Fogbow:
Frosty ground en-route to Creag Mhor:
Despite ascending to above 1000m, there was a distinct lack of snow for the time of year. It felt more akin to walking in April than January.
Creag Mhor:
Fleeting views while walking in mist:
Views were still very much fleeting until the final approach to the summit when we were treated to views of surrounding mountains and spectacular cloud inversion.
Final ascent of Creag Mhor:
At the summit of Creag Mhor:
At the summit of Creag Mhor:
Outstanding views from the summit:
View down SE ridge towards Sron nan Eun:
Cloud inversion:
We spent around ten minutes at the summit admiring the views and taking photos.
Ann-Marie approaching summit:
Cloud inversion:
From the summit we returned to Glen Lochay via Creag Mhor's SE ridge.
Looking back during descent of SE ridge:
Looking back along SE ridge:
Glen Lochay:
The path eventually petered out, either that or we lost it.
Descent between the crags:
To get back onto the upper Glen Lochay track we had to climb over a six-foot deer fence. Once on the track, we returned to the car again via the lower track.
Looking back from the Glen Lochay track:
A fantastic first Munro of 2022.