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- Some impressive crags on the approach to the bealach
Charlie had been looking at climbing these two hills this summer though I’d hoped to get up on a weekday, given their proximity to the central belt, relatively short mileage and good parking - they looked to be likely to be busy.
The forecast was a bit mixed though there seemed to be consensus of heavy rain early clearing later to a mix of sun and cloud. It was a fairly grey start which grew darker and darker as we drove up the A84 before a deluge rained down, many parts of the road being fairly covered by deep water - particularly bad between Stirling and Doune.
As we kept going it continued to worsen and I was a bit concerned given Charlie’s dislike of poor conditions (quite reasonably!) it might be a washout. We reached bridge or orchy and it had appeared to have passed with just chaotic low moving cloud quickly dissipating.
- Clouds undecided on its final destination after the downpour
It was still enough for a few midges to have a go so we set off fairly quickly, over the road - almost certainly the most dangerous part of the day - and up under the railway and onto the main path.
The Allt Coire an Dothaidh was making a real racket with the run off from the hills flooding down the burn.
- Lots of water today
The path up is really good quality and easy walking though with the water run off a few sections had evolved into minor burns. By now the low clouds had mostly dissipated and breaks of sunshine warmer us up as we climbed further.
- It’s a very good path up to Coire an Dothaidh though it was partly burn with the water coming off the hills
With the sun out the Coire is impressive on the way up, crags on both sides framing the approach as the path steepens. To the left, the burns running off the west flank of Beinn an Dothaidh were cascading down in impressive form.
- Continued sunshine though fast moving clouds suggesting no guarantees that would continue
The path steepens as it approaches the bealach but even relatively wet underfoot it’s a good path by hill standards, if not slightly eroded in a few places. Before long we’d made it to the bealach and sat for a while in the sun, until inevitably the cloud rolled over.
- Creag Mhor from Coire a’Ghabhalach
We opted to head up Beinn an Dothaidh first which followes another good path north fron the bealach. Soon a flatter section is reached that was slightly boggy underfoot and we lost the track but it’s easy underfoot taken directly.
Fairly soon we’d reached the route up to the 993 summit, not the true top, and visibility was now reduced.
- Pt 993 with a nice cone shape to walk up
A little further to reach the true top but unfortunately the very striking views that people suggested are seen from the top were obscured by cloud. After a quick chat with a guy at the top we headed back down, round in a loop following the top of Coire Achaladair and back down to the bealach.
We stopped just up from the cairn on some flat rocks and had an extended lunch break. Charlie realised that he’d chosen chicken sandwiches that he doesn’t really like when we picked them up very early in the morning but funnily enough they seemed to taste better out in the hills….funny what hunger can do!
We set off uphill, the route initially winding through rockier sections before reaching a grassy plateau. After a steeper eroded slope things flatten out onto the broad ridge. The cloud had lifted and Charlie remarked how big this hill was looking down at the road, but how from the car it didn’t look nearly as tall.
- Looking west (from memory) towards the hills at dalmally
We continued up and over Carn Sassunaich where the coire slightly east opens up. A route up Sron Garbh looks fairly possible (though long) - other WHers may comment on whether this esoteric from the sake of it or a worthwhile alternative route.
- Looking east from the approach to Beinn Dorain
We reached the top and the wind was up a wee bit so didn’t hand around for too long. It really is a great viewpoint over to Glencoe, the Nevis Range, Cruachan/Dalmally and towards crianlarich and tyndrum.
We retraced our steps and Charlie spotted the scars on the side of Beinn Bhreac Liath from felling. With dappled sunlight the shapes look almost otherworldly, not quite even enough to be human but too uniform to be natural.
- Scars of felled plantations, beautiful in their own ugly way
We reached the bealach and stopped for a quick chat with some guys coming down. Charlie told them his munro total and they showed they were impressed with which I think made him happy.
The descent from the bealach is quite steep but never difficult even when wet and by now the sun was starting to win and the temperature was up a bit.
- The sun now winning out on descent
We made it back down to where the path starts to level out, water levels out. We passed a woman heading up, I’m always quite jealous of people getting a later start and who likely have the hill to themselves.
- Wind getting up a bit but still very mild
Back under the railway and just the crossing of the road to manage. This requires a lot of care, it being fairly fast and busy and not the easiest to see both ways.
Back to the car and I noticed that my slowly failing Salomon boots’ soles had now decided to part ways from the main boot after 11 months….Thankfully these were replaced under warranty. The old pair retired for lighter dog walking duties in the boggy but less demanding local hills.
