In the shadow of Ben Dorain - The Glen Orchy 3

[Mountainlove]

18.12.2021

It was one of those weekend weather forecasts which will make me rush to the hills and cancel all other plans..Low fog with a chance of cloud invasions. The drive in thick fog was anything but nice, however half way around Loch Lomond the sky above me finally cleared and bright sunshine filled the sky.

Ben Dorain which never fails to amaze me when I am driving past, looked particular spectacular rising above a bed of clouds.

Ben Dorain

Glen Orchy had me mesmerized as soon as I drove down the single track road. Impressive waterfalls, a winding single track road, some ancient forest and mountains as far as you can see.

Glen Orchy

By the time I found the specious car park and stepped out of the car, it was freezing cold, but utterly gorgeous.
For a Corbett the start of the walk was amazingly well sign posted and the path climbed gently through some beautiful woodland on the way towards Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh.

So well signposted

When the path cleared the forest, the mountain tops illuminated red by the rising sun, promised a gorgeous day. Out of the forest bright sunshine greeted me and the hill was now rising steeply ahead. Below in the valley the fog still lingered and made the view backs spectacular.

View back towards the forest

I had met another woman walking solo in the forest and while we continued up the fill we met yet another hill walker. Chatting for a while my first companion soon had to say her good byes as she was in a rush to catch a lift, which meant that me and the other hill walker ended up walking together. It's always lovely when you meet like minded people on the hill!

The path up the hill turned out to be not as bad as I first had thought. The fact that we managed to keep a conversation going was evidence enough, that it was not too steep. The views on the other hand got more and more spectacular. Endless mountain peaks rising steeply out of a sea of fog and the great visibility meant that we could even see the Paps of Jura clearly.

The Paps of Jura in the distance

Out of the freezing fog below the day was incredible warm for mid December and I was regretting my decision of wearing a long sleeve top. When we reached the plateau like summit, the mountain views were spectacular. It was certainly one of these magic days when nothing beats being up a hill. With so much day light left we had a lengthily lunch and decided to walk towards the end of the mountain before returning back. Even though it's not a full loop, it gave at least some change of scenery before we reached the forest again.

What a day!

From Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidhs summit

More summit views

Close to the car the last remaining fog patched were still clinging to the branches of the trees and new evening fog started to roll in.

At the cars we said our good byes and I made a mental note to return soon...after all 2 more Corbetts were waiting to be discovered down the road.

5.3.2022

2.5 month would actually pass until I was driving down Glen Orchy again. This time stopping at the small 'good for 3 cars'. car park. I was in fact the 5th car squeezing into the space, which occupied a van, 3 cars and a tent . There was in fact a whole bunch of people camping all over the place. Getting ready I soon set of off the normal Walkhighlands route, tackling Beinn Bhreac-liath first.

The start of the walk

Ben Dorain in the distance

The temperature was -1C when I left and the first 20 min of the walk were really pleasant. However this soon changed as the hill has been planted with trees. Some parts of the plantation were avoidable, while other parts were horrible to navigate through. Upturned piles of soil right next to deep water filled holes...all on a very steep slope. Tree plantations are a personal pet hate of mine, so for a good 30 min I grumpily made my way up hill.

Once past the plantation (deep breath of release) the hill was not finished with me. Thick frozen moss which (similar to snow) held my weight for a millisecond until I sank into it. It was pretty hard going and I soon came to the decision, that I never wanted to climb this hill again. However by the time the ground flattened and made way to amazing views and a HUGE summit I had changed my mind again....This was lovely!

The plantation further down the hill and view back

The start of the easy walk with cracking views

View back towards Glen Orchy

With energy levels restored after having some juice and an apple I walked along the summit. In all directions mountain peaks could be spotted and what this hill did not make in looks, it made up for in views! Simply spectacular!

Mountain views

The train viaduct between Tyndrum and Bridge of Orchy

The fenceline

The dreaded deer fence which ran parallel to the summit was also in plain site. Not looking forward to climb over the deer fence (so stupid not to build a gate) I continued along the summit or quite some time before I reached the fence. Getting closer I noticed that there was a gap. Someone had cut the length of the fence with wire cutters...Hail to the person who did this! Usually not a fan of people destroying property...but this was genius ! Hopefully a sign that an opening for hill walkers is required!

The new gap

The lovely summit

Myself next to the summit cairn

View towards the second Corbett

Leaving the summit I made my way towards Beinnn Udlaidh, it was a gentle way down with some easy avoidable rocky outcrops, along a short bealach and up the Corbett number 2.

Beinnn Udlaidh

At the bealach

The way up

Beinnn Udlaidh had a completely different feel. There was so much more snow and it has a more rough feel to it. However the views were equally stunning. The cairn or whats left of the cairn is a pile of stones, however the true summit is passed on the way to it.

Views towards Ben Lui and neighbors

The true summit

What used to be a cairn

A moody looking Ben Lui

Looking back towards Beinn Bhreac-liath

Not lingering long I continued back down the hill, which was pretty easy to navigate. From having hated the first part, these two hills had really surprised me with spectacular views and gentle summits. Certainly a place I would not mind returning to...but until then...more hills are calling!

So well camouflaged

The last steep bit

The 2 Corbetts looking back

[steverabone]

As the first person on WH to report the new deer fence (I think) and the problem it caused me and others I am delighted that someone has attended to it. Hopefully the estate will do the decent thing and put up a stile. If it is just repaired then I am sure it will be dealt with again! Absolutely crass of the estate to block an established route up a hill.

An excellent trip report.

[Mountainlove]

As the first person on WH to report the new deer fence (I think) and the problem it caused me and others I am delighted that someone has attended to it. Hopefully the estate will do the decent thing and put up a stile. If it is just repaired then I am sure it will be dealt with again! Absolutely crass of the estate to block an established route up a hill.

An excellent trip report.

Many thanks!
I truly hope they will put a stile up (or some other kind of gate) was thinking that it would have been impossible taking large dogs in the past, which seems unfair. Otherwise I hope the gap stays open for some time, so that others can enjoy these great hills without the added difficulty having to climb a 6ft fence... Fingers crossed!

[steverabone]

You description has caused me to definitely add Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh to my "to climb" Corbett list. By the way have you realised that you haven't actually mentioned its name in your first report in December 2021?

I've climbed both the other Corbetts although unlike you on separate days largely because of the problems with that fence.

Now I reckon a return visit to Glen Orchy is called for in 2022. I'll be using public transport so there's the little matter of a 2 hour walk in each direction from Bridge of oOrchy to the start of the hill walk near the bridge but a bus from Glasgow arrives at Bridge of Orchy at 0840 and there is a train back at 1850 or a bus at 2017 so there should be plenty of time.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[jmarkb]

Now I reckon a return visit to Glen Orchy is called for in 2022. I'll be using public transport so there's the little matter of a 2 hour walk in each direction from Bridge of oOrchy to the start of the hill walk near the bridge but a bus from Glasgow arrives at Bridge of Orchy at 0840 and there is a train back at 1850 or a bus at 2017 so there should be plenty of time.

If you are on public transport, the approach from Dalmally up Glen Strae with an optional return over Beinn Donachain might be an attractive alternative (if the train times work out).

[steverabone]

If you are on public transport, the approach from Dalmally up Glen Strae with an optional return over Beinn Donachain might be an attractive alternative (if the train times work out).

I'll check that route out - thanks for the suggestion.

[Mountainlove]

You description has caused me to definitely add Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh to my "to climb" Corbett list. By the way have you realised that you haven't actually mentioned its name in your first report in December 2021?

I've climbed both the other Corbetts although unlike you on separate days largely because of the problems with that fence.

Now I reckon a return visit to Glen Orchy is called for in 2022. I'll be using public transport so there's the little matter of a 2 hour walk in each direction from Bridge of oOrchy to the start of the hill walk near the bridge but a bus from Glasgow arrives at Bridge of Orchy at 0840 and there is a train back at 1850 or a bus at 2017 so there should be plenty of time.

Thanks for the inspiration!

I actually did not realized that I missed the name. Thats updated now, thanks for the hint!!
Hats off for using Public Transport That must require so much planning and additional time, specially when you plan to return the same day. I think I would take a tent and do overnight trips....saying that with the current petrol prices that might be the way forward in the future

[Grahame37]

Further to jmarkb's comment about approaching the Corbett from Glen Strae using the train I can confirm that it is possible but I used Loch Awe station and walked back along the B8077. There is plenty of time between trains as Monday - Saturday the last train south from Oban is 20:39, Loch Awe 21:15.

[Alteknacker]

Nice one. It's the first time I've looked at a WHR on these hills, and now they're on the "to do" list.

I have to say, though, that I was disappointed to see your sac - it definitely looks a lot less weighty than your usual 35kg plus one .

[Mountainlove]

Nice one. It's the first time I've looked at a WHR on these hills, and now they're on the "to do" list.

I have to say, though, that I was disappointed to see your sac - it definitely looks a lot less weighty than your usual 35kg plus one .

Lol... I have treated myself to a day pack...which means I have to leave the kitchen sink at home nowadays
The hills are certainly worth a visit