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I have a Wednesday entirely to myself and a notion in my head for Beinn Dorain which had been put on hold at the weekend due to a dodgy elbow. The forecast is positively balmy for March, the elbow no worse than it was for traipsing around Arrochar Corbetts on Sunday and these are straightforward hills, it is too good an opportunity to ignore. I head up early and am on my way at 8.30.
It is still and really quite warm as I set off under the railway and begin the steady plod up the side of the Allt an Dothaidh towards the corrie. A few of the dreaded midge even appear as I cross the boggier lower slopes, though they thankfully aren't biting yet. The ascent up the the bealach is gentle, though the path is pretty eroded so there's no rushing it, all bar the short steep section to the upper corrie. I pause here for a first cuppa of the day, admiring the view back to the Black Mount. It is a little hazy, the tops still snow clad, the combination of the two makes Stob Ghabhar look as if it is hovering in mid air.
- Heading up to the corrie, sunshine on Beinn an Dothaidh
- It's a pleasant route dotted with waterfalls and craggy outcrops
- Looking down from the upper corrie, Stob Ghabhar hovering in the background
From here it is but a short amble to the bealach with its large cairn and wee lochan. Views to the east emerge, hazier still than those to the west, Loch Lyon can barely be made out, but the sun is shining and I figure the cloud will burn off some as the day goes on. I contemplate the options, Dorain to the south, an Dothaidh to the north and decide to tackle the former as it is the nicer hill and I'm not entirely convinced dodgy elbow will hold out for both. There is still a fair amount of snow to be seen on the higher reaches, glittering in the sun.
- Murky views east from the bealach, no sign of Loch Lyon yet
I can see a couple of other folk headed up that way before me, over the slabby rocks and on to the ridge. As it turns out once up there is little in the way of white stuff that can't be avoided by going slightly off the beaten track here and there, and where it does have to be crossed the ground is flat enough that iron mongery is not required, just a little care. Snow avoidance results in me passing to the west of the Carn Sasunnaich and by the smaller counterpart with its fine views towards the Tyndrum hills. They are looking splendid, still in winter garb, mist below them.
- Swinging by this wee cairn to the west of Carn Sasunnaich to avoid lingering snow
- Fine views south west from here
- Onwards to the summit
A brief pause here and then it is onwards along the ridge to the top of Beinn Dorain where I am rewarded with glorious vistas to the south of Crianlarich hills looking ethereal in the morning mists. The haze is easing somewhat to the east, Loch Lyon now visible, both Cruachan to the west and Ben Nevis to the north are visible. Though clarity might not be the greatest it is a beautiful spring day, a little breezy up high but not enough to warrant an extra jacket as I settle down to enjoy dinner part one at the summit.
- Beinn Dorain summit views to Lui, Oss and Dubhchraig
- Crianlarich hills looking ethereal in the mist to the south
- South east from the summit
- Summit cairn and views north to other Bridge of Orchy hills
- Views to the east, Loch Lyon now visible through the haze
I spend some time hanging around, admiring the view before making tracks back towards the bealach, possibly indulging in a teensy bit of sliding down snowy slopes on the way. It is a straightforward descent which doesn't take long and having returned I reckon the elbow still feels OK so head up towards Beinn an Dothaidh. This is a very gentle ascent with lots of squelch and some soft snow lingering in shadier parts.
- Looking back to Beinn Dorain from the bealach
I aim first for the southern top with its views over Beinn Mhanach, then amble to the summit itself, dropping down slightly from the cairn and out of the breeze which is a little stiffer here. Dinner part two is enjoyed gazing over Rannoch Moor, the Mamores visible beyond through the hazy sky, still clad in snow. The Black Mount, Creise and poking up beyond Bidean Nam Bian look fine over to the west. This is also an opportunity to have a wee gander at Beinn Nam Fuaran below me to the south-east which I have a vague fancy for camping on or around later in the year. It is all rather lovely, and hard to believe this is still March, it feels more like early May weather.
- Hazy vistas across Rannoch Moor from Beinn an Dothaidh summit, the Mamores faintly visible in the distance
- Looking down on Loch Lyon and Beinn nam Fuaran, I've taken a fancy for this wee hill
- Black Mount from the summit, Bidean Nam Bian poking up behind
- Towards Beinn an Dothaidh's western top
- And southern one
After lingering for a while I take a brief swing by the western top with its nice viewpoint over Loch Tulla before ambling down through soft snow back towards the path and the bealach. I am slightly worried about dodgy elbow on the steep section of descent back down from the upper quarry, and use this as an excuse for another coffee stop before heading for the car. It seems OK but I do find myself putting some pressure on it here and there to steady myself.
- Heading down through soft snow
- Back in the upper quarry, with clearer views west than this morning
Beyond here the down is easy enough and I plod back to the car without incident and head for home. The elbow is quite sore later in the evening, mostly I suspect from the drive, but totally worth it for a cracking day out.
