Nov 2026 - Ascent from A85 near Power Station. My third time on Ben Cruachan and another fantastic walk. Early sun and mist produced an atmospheric ascent to the dam. I had to take the longer route around as the cut up and across to the metal staircase (which unfortunately replaced the enjoyable but dodgy ladder) was out of bounds today. The walk beside the reservoir was glorious once again and a good preparation for the slog up through Coire Dearg to the Bealach an Lochain. Turning northwards from the bealach, the loose scree and boulder fields for the final 300m of ascent to the summit was a grind and much worse in descent. Views from the top were spectacular despite the lingering cloud base. Loch Etive glistened, and the Black Mount Munros and Glen Coe tops with Ben Starav in the foreground all looked fabulous. Bizarrely and coincidently, I received a video message from Jaqcui, the lovely host of the gorgeous place we're staying at in Barcaldine. She described a walk she was out on with Angus, her dog, and she panned around to Ben Cruachan, not knowing I was on the summit at that very moment. She was surprised when I sent a video back! I was tempted by the ridge across to Stob Daimh but experience told me that this was much longer than it appeared with another considerable amount of ascent, and I would be therefore descending in the dark. I gave it a miss and stuck to the plan, eventually peeling myself away from the summit. As I picked my way carefully down to the bealach, Ben Lui and the Crianlarich Munros appeared from the cloud that had hovered stubbornly to the southeast, and even the Arrochar Alps made an appearance. Amazing day before the long drive south tomorrow..