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I was still car-less in 2014, so I jumped on the bus to Bridge of Orchy one Sunday to bag the two Corbetts to the west of the A82 / railway / WHW. I think most people either go from A85 to the South or plan the route to include the huge quartzite fault line to the North, that is so distinguishable when viewed from Bridge of Orchy. This was tempting, but not as tempting as the track that led all the way from Glen Orchy Farm to the summit of Beinn Udlaidh!
The hotel brought back memories of a couple of childhood holidays here, including possibly the best hotel breakfasts I've ever had.
It was a long and pleasant walk down the glen on the B8074, past the Easan Dubha waterfall. Probably the only part of the whole walk with any tricky decisions to be made was at the farm itself. The map showed that the track doesn't start until the back of the field behind the farm. From memory I think I had to pass the farm, hop the fence at the roadside and head up the right-hand side of the field, observed by a flock of sheep, to find the gate at the back.
From there it was plain sailing, following the track up towards the summit of Beinn Udlaidh.
A typical view of the climb up the steep-ish track.
At 410m the track emerged from the forest to reveal a grand vista towards the corrie.
Bridge of Orchy (and dinner!) was now visible above the forests of Glen Orchy. Beinn Dorain was still struggling to shake off clouds, but luckily I was on the Corbetts today.
Views started to open up towards Black Mount.
Above 650m the track rose in a series of zig-zags towards the summit plateau.
A dry-stone wall appeared above 700m. I've read about the one on Suilven, and this one seems similarly...random?
After a gentle climb I headed towards the summit to be greeted by the debris of an old mast (this kind of stuff is never cleared away for some unknown reason?) and a surprisingly large cairn.
Great views opened up towards Loch Awe.
Crianlarich Hills and Ben Vorlich / Stuc a' Chroin.
The view of Ben Lui slightly spoiled by the mess in the foreground.
Surprisingly thin, actually. Changed days...
This could be the start of the quartzite dyke that heads down to the glen,
Bridge of Orchy was visible again as I headed down to the col between Beinn Udlaidh and Beinn Bhreac-Liath.
Braw.
Looking back towards Beinn Udlaidh.
The sun had come out on Beinn Udlaidh, but disappeared again as I headed up onto the massive summit of Beinn Bhreac-Liath.
Beinn Dorain had finally got rid of the cloud to reveal a tremendous view above the glen between Auch and Bridge of Orchy which, oddly, doesn't seem to have a name? (the largest / most famous name-less glen in the Highlands?)
The huge summit cairn of Beinn Udlaidh was still visible.
For some reason I often struggle with descents (either from picking a weird route, the length of the day or something about my knees, I dunno), so it can take just as long as the ascent sometimes. But this descent was a joy. The gradient was fine, heading out along the flat North ridge then heading downhill, making a beeline for Bridge of Orchy (and dinner!!) The views towards Beinn Dorain and Rannoch Moor were tremendous, which helped.
I headed down to the edge of the forest and eventually reached the road at a gate. It was seriously clouding over by this point, and I was glad to be off the hills with perfect timing.
After humphing it along the grass verge next to the A82, I finally reached the Bridge of Orchy Hotel with enough time to have dinner before the bus home. And it was worth the wait!
All in all, a really good day. I managed to avoid any rain and the views were great in all directions. Sometimes the Corbetts can have the best views: really in amongst it all, looking down on the glens, but looking up at the Munros...
