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Twelve months ago, a group of us made the trip north to Fort William for a weekend of good company and to conquer the Ben. That trip proved to be a successful and happy time (it was probably helped by the 31deg temperatures and cloudless skies) so, as a group, we decided to venture north again for another outing in the hills (and for those less adventurous, to spend time in the shops in Stirling, our base for the weekend).
The weather forecast had been less than favourable for Saturday, the day of our walk, with heavy rain, strong winds and zero views in the offing. However, as we travelled along the A84 from Stirling and through Callander, the weather didn't look too bad and gave us some encouragement.
We had decided to ascend the two hills from the less used southern approached starting from Inverlochlarig. There is a good car park at the end of the minor road and it is from here you cross the road, over the stile and then immediately up the steep slopes of the south facing hill.
We started walking at 10.15am. My brother Chris and I led the way followed by Malcolm, John, Claire, Anne, Yvonne, Peter and John M. The path was ok and not too difficult under foot, just a case of getting your head down and working hard. You eventually climb another stile and the path then meanders through a craggy area before reaching true open countryside marked on the map as Stob Invercarnaig. The views began to expand now and we were able to see east along Loch Voil to Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin, south towards Ben Ledi and further round to Ben Lomond and them immediately to our west, Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach Ardrain.
- At the start, steep from the off
- View back to the car park
- Loch Voil with distant Ben Vorlich and Stuc a' Chroin
- Steep section over, onwards over Stob Invercarnaig
- Beinn Tulaichean & Cruach Ardrain coming into view
- View back down the broad ridge
Chris and I ventured passed the small cairn and then on the narrowing ridge with the form of Stob Coire an Lochain and Stob Binnein in front of us, admittedly the tops of which were in cloud. It was at this point that we realised the main group weren't making good progress but we had arranged to rendezvous at the bealach between SB and BM in any case so we decided to press on. The wind began to pick up considerably now from the east and the temperature dropped by several degrees. Into the cloud we went and although the ridge was narrower and the wind was gusty we still felt in control.
- First glimps of Stob Coire an Lochain/Stob Binnein
- Good footpath
- The ridge narrows and the wind picks up
Up and over Stob Coire and Lochain and the rain started to fall (well more horizontal than vertical) and crystals of the snow off the east side of the ridge were being blown at us too. We reached the summit of Stob Binnein at 1pm. We didn't hang around too long, except for Chris to take a text message to say that the weather hadn't been too good back in Cumbria with localised flooding.
- Stob Coire an Lochain top
- Atop Stob Binnein, time to put my coat on
We dropped down the steep northern ridge of SB to the Bealach-eadar-dha Bheinn and met a party of three sheltering behind a large rock. We decided to continue to ascend Ben More and met another couple of gents coming down. In the cloud, with wind and rain battering us, the climb seemed to go on forever. It was a wild place when we reached the trig point (2pm), so we quickly took some photos, went over to the cairn too and then started to head back to the bealach.
- At Ben More trig point
- ....and me too!
- .... and to the cairn
We (well I !!) were feeling hungry by now so we took shelter behind the rock where we had met the group of three ealier. However, there was no sight of the rest of our party. Chris checked his mobile and received a text to say that when they had reached the southern ridge of SB it had blown Malcolm over so they decided to call it a day and head back to the car. Probably a wise decision.
- Food stop in shelter of the rock at the Bealach-eadar-dha Bheinn
Fully refuelled , Chris and I then descend from the bealach in a west/south west direction, checking the GPS for clarification of our route. Having dropped a matter of 100m or so we came out of the cloud and Benmore Glen came into view. We could see that we were heading for the watershed between the Benmore Glen and the Inverlochlarig Glen so made good time. Being on the west side of the hill, we were now sheltered from most of the wind. Walking over soft ground made the descent better on my knees which can ache from the pounding of a stoney path.
- First view of Benmore Glen
- Heading towards the watershed between Benmore Glen and Inverlochlarig Glen
At the watershed we kept high of the flat and boggy area before picking up the Inverlochlarig Burn and following it down until we reached the farm track that led us back to habitation.
- At the watershed
- View down Inverlochlarig Glen
- The 'duck' stone
- Start of the farm track
- View back up the track
It was interesting to see that a hydro electric scheme is underway as you get nearer the settlement.
- Hydro Electric scheme in progress
Through the farm yard and along the road back to the car where Peter and Anne were waiting for us at circa 4.50pm.
We had a thoroughly enjoyable walk and this route is a good alternative to tackling them both from the north.