free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
Slowly and cautiously moving further North with the peaks - the next stop was the Crianlarich Munros. Far from it from me to tackle all 7 in a day (well done/you are mental to anyone who has), thought I would at least start off with an interesting couple in the shape of An Caisteal and Beinn A'Chroin.
Forecast had said clear skies and sunshine in the morning, so the earlier the better. With this in mind, I left Glasgow at 6.45, arriving at the layby just south of Crianlarich, which was still quiet, shortly after 8.
IMG_2176 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Sron Gharbh from the layby
Even at this time, it was already warm. Got going across the field and under the railway, to my surprise into what was essentially a building site, with an access road down the side of the River Falloch stretching a couple of miles. This is not noted on the Walkhighlands route, so I take it these are recent works. Not sure if anyone can shed any light on this, but I'm assuming some sort of engineering as I saw a lot of large pipes lying about? A real shame as it completely blots the landscape of the valley.
IMG_2177 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Walked past an older couple after crossing the bridge and then left the access road about a kilometre later (no point in looking for a path, because there isn't one) to the right, aiming diagonally to the top of Sron Gharbh. The going is tough and boggy over lumpy ground, would suggest it is easier to walk up instead to the fence and turn 90 degrees to the right. The fleece was off in no time, perspiration flying off me, and the views back towards Crianlarich, Ben Oss, Beinn Dubhchraig and Ben Lui were fine. I saw another couple ahead of me, however the next time I looked up they were behind me, such was the 'every man for himself' way of the initially pathless ascent!
IMG_2180 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
IMG_2181 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
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Ross Thomson, on Flickr
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Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Once the top of Sron Gharbh is reached, a clear path becomes visible, winding up over Twistin Hill towards 'The Castle' (I found out this is actually the name of the sticky oot bit of rock that is visible from below, not the actual summit which is a wee bit behind it). The going was a lot easier up here, and there were great views back over the Tyndrum hills, with the pyramid of Beinn Dorain prominent. The shape of Beinn Chabhair on the right also became visible. It was still warm, although more bearable, and a panorama opened up of all Crianlarich munros.
IMG_2191 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
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Ross Thomson, on Flickr
IMG_2197 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
All 7 Crianlarich Munros - from left to right: Ben More, Stob Binnein, Cruach Ardain, Beinn Tulaichean, Beinn A'Chroin, An Caisteal and Beinn Chabhair. Path up An Caisteal is clearly visible.
IMG_2199 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
I really enjoyed this part of the walk, with the only part of any difficulty a deep cleft near 'The Castle' in the rock which is easily negotiated. The Castle itself is negotiated awkwardly round to left hand side, after which the summit is a short jaunt.
IMG_2208 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
The giant's cleft
IMG_2211 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Around The Castle
Surprisingly, there was barely a breath of wind on the summit, but it is a great viewpoint over the trossachs to the east, the Ben Lui and Cruachan ranges to the east, and the other Crianlarich munros as well as the Tyndrum hills to the North/Northwest.
IMG_2214 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Summit and Cruach Ardrain looking magnificent behind
IMG_2216 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Summit and Lui range
I sat for a good 10 minutes just looking around before the couple I had overtaken caught up. They were up from Durham for a 3 day expedition, and were planning to do all 7 in the range in those 3 days. Sat and chatted to them for another 10, had a bite to eat, then it was time to go. They were the last people I saw before I was back at the river. Toyed with the idea of doing Beinn Chabhair, but didn't like the look of the potential route up, so descended to the bealach below Beinn A'Chroin. The descent down to the bealach is fairly steep, and I happened to come across a male ptarmigan (second spot in as many months) on the way down.
IMG_2220 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Spot the ptarmigan
IMG_2227 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
From whence I came - An Caisteal from the bealach
The ascent to Beinn A'Chroin from here is pretty interesting. The path goes round to the right of the buttress, and presents one semi-difficult bit of scrambling - good upper-arm strength needed for one particular step.
IMG_2228 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
IMG_2231 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Tricky wee section
Anyway, in what seemed like no time I was on the summit plateau. The sun was still beating down, and as I thought about how my pasty skin might be in a spot of bother, the sun partially disappeared - who says there's not a god of hillwalking?
As mentioned in the route, there are a few separate summit cairns (I counted 3 - one at each end of the plateau and one in the middle). The true one is (apparently) the one in the centre of the plateau. The views down the falloch valley and over the back to the trossachs are stunning.
IMG_2235 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
The western summit, looking east towards the trossachs
IMG_2237 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
The middle [true] summit of Beinn A'Chroin, looking northwest
IMG_2242 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Eastern summit, at the end of the plateau, and the falloch valley
I had lunch here in blissful silence and could have gone for a wee nap. It was about 11.30 and the forecast was for rain in mid-afternoon, which I was keen to avoid, so instead set off on the descent. The path is fairly obvious from the eastern edge of the plateau, down a broad ridge, although care must be taken on the steeper sections, as I almost found out to my cost - luckily a sore arse was the only outcome.
IMG_2246 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
IMG_2248 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
The way doon
IMG_2250 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Aim for a confluence of two streams to cross over, the path is fairly obvious. It was really boggy down here though, and despite having high boots I still managed to get wet feet, nearly losing both boot and foot in heavy, peaty quicksand at one point.
IMG_2251 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
IMG_2253 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
The falloch really is a pretty wee river, and the lure of the clear pools was just too much of a temptation for my burning feet.
IMG_2256 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
Best bet from here is to stay as close to the river as possible to avoid the worst of the bog. I rejoined the access road at the end, next to where a sheep had recently met an unfortunate end. Was back at the layby (which by this point was mobbed) in just under 5 hours, and was able to feel at least a little bit smug as I saw the Loch Lomond holiday weekend tailbacks going the other way on the way home.
IMG_2258 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
IMG_2252 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr
IMG_2263 by
Ross Thomson, on Flickr