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With another forecast promising a wealth of unadulterated moontin porn every walker/climber was sure to be out again today. Having managed to get home from a night out in town at a reasonable time I got a decent sleep and was up early and in the car driving North
Crossing the Erskine Bridge I still hadn't decided what hills to climb/walk, by the time I got to Luss I had chosen two hills I last walked 5 years ago - An Caisteal & Beinn a Chroin. I distinctly recall that long boggy walk out, however with the ground frozen that shouldn't be an issue today.
Parked up at 08.00am. Had breakfast and was off at 08.30hrs, two younger lads had left at 08.15hrs. Turns out they did the route reverse to what I did. They would be the only people I spoke to that day, it really is worth getting up early. Later when I finished and back at the car it resembled Ikea Car Park on a Sunday afternoon
Followed a good path south to its highest point then took a pathless line West up the face to reach the ridge.
Already the sun was in full flow, it was going to be a great day! Thank goodness I remembered my lip balm
Finally gained the ridge proper - time to celebrate
Time to stick on the crampons - continue to follow the ridge South to the summit. . .superb
Nearing the summit, blinded by the sun...
Final little stretch, views sublime...
Summit of An Caisteal - Another celebration
I sat on the summit for over half an hour with the sun beating down on me, the views in every direction just sublime. I looked West, the two lads ascending the face of Beinn a Chroin.
It was now time to tackle the next summit, in my way was a craggy but great ridge.
Ascending through the crags to the final plateau brought about some raw nerves due to a 10m stretch that was almost vertical, thankfully someone had laid steps which provided a confidence boost. I got to the ridge and made my way to the summit.
On route I bumped into the two young lads. We chatted for 10 minutes, mostly about the scenery, the weather, and how lucky it was to be out on such a glorious day.
I took a shot of them just before I reached the summit.
I was now standing on top of summit number two - Beinn a Chroin
Sat here for 15 minutes and took in the views. Little ant like creatures covered the other tops, humans really but minuscule next to the massive mountains. Time to descend, and what fun it was racing down the face of BaC
The walk out wasn't boggy, it was a nice walk really due to the harder ground. I felt energized, I almost quick marched back to the car
A cracking set of hills to end what was a wonderful weekend of winter walking...long may it continue
