Meall nan Tarmachan

Van parked at start of walk , Dawne inside making sandwiches.
We stayed in the van overnight in Killin and were there for a rather cloudy start at 0900 hrs.

Ben Lawers in the distance as the cloud starts to descend.  

The ridge ahead looks quite interesting, unfortunately this was the last  we would see of it as the cloud rolled in.

We sat by the little tarn above surrounded by clumps of Saxifraga  Oppositifolia. If only they kept the sheep out in the Lakes.

The Meall Garbh part of the ridge was narrower than expected and we struggled on a very steep descent at the end.  Apparently there is a little detour that avoids  the steep bit but we missed it in the mist.

Eventually we emerged from the mist in the corrie  below Creag na Caillich.  we walked back to the Ben Lawers car park on the quarry road.  Lower down there were clumps of my favourite flower ,  Primula Vulgaris.

Jack's Rake

Not used to the heat we arrived at the tarn quite hot.  I did not have the sun hat and my wife still had her winter trousers.  Must be 5 years since we did the Rake.  Tried taking a gradual rising line up the screes last time so just stuck to the path this time.

I must be getting old cos I certainly did not find it as hard in the past,  we struggled up the tight bits under the critical eyes of climbers.   Near the top we branched off right up some lovely slabs to the summit.  I've not been to the Cuillin Ridge but that gabbro will have to be rough to out rough the rocks on the top of Pavey Ark.

Put Buff over head in attempt to keep sun off bald spot.  Innov8 s looking a bit worn,  can't understand the huge boots some folk wear.

We descended down to Pike How, watching the paragliders catching the afternoon breeze.

A big cycling event was taking place in Langdale and the fields were full of cars.  They certainly had a nice day for it. Just time for a drink at the Stickle Barn before heading home.