Disappointed on Ben Lui

[johnbythell]

This will be a relatively short post given the long day (10 h) on the Ben Lui Munros, due to there not being much to see. The forecast was for low cloud and fog in the morning but lifting with some sunny spells and a few showers in the afternoon/early evening. I got an early start as I knew it would be a long day, thinking that Ben Lui and Beinn a' Chleibh would be in the cloud, but hoping to see some of the reported spectacular views looking back from Ben Oss and hoping for some special reveals as the cloud lifted. As it turned out, the cloud base stayed stubbornly at about 730m and I spent the whole wet day in the clag, which was a very disappointing way to do this group of Munros - definitely need a return visit here!

Ben Lui Circuit 10 Aug 2023.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

On the mine track heading towards Cononish, with low cloud and mist in the glen.

Looking back down towards the farm

It was looking pretty hopeful at this stage that the cloud would lift and there would be some atmospheric views from the tops, with the sun looking like it was about to break through, sadly not to be

Looking back down from the initial climb up to Coire Gaothach

Approaching the impenetrable-looking cloud base

Entering the cloud base, not knowing that I wouldn't get out of it for another 6 hours or so

There was some tricky route-picking up the steep and very wet grassy slopes out of the coire to gain the NE ridge of Ben Lui, Few signs of a trodden path until I got close to the ridgeline

It was a relief to reach the cairn on the crest of the ridge

Probably some airy places on the ridge, if you could see them. As it was, I could still feel their presence!

I knew it was unlikely to be the summit, but thought I'd better get the obligatory photo..

The actual summit cairn

Beinn a' Chleibh appeared relatively quickly out of the mist, a short descent and hop back up

The traverse across the south flank of Ben Lui was steep wet grass and bog wasn't particularly pleasant, never is great traversing on steep ground but I was glad when the bealach eventually materialised

You'll have to fill in the stunning views to Ben Lui for yourselves I'm afraid - the summit of Ben Oss

There are still some atmospheric appearances in the clouds though - the crags look bigger and mysterious as they appear for example, and I was surprised by the appearance of the little lochan at the next bealach

The final summit of Beinn Dubhchraig

Coming down off Beinn Dubhchraig into Gleann Achrioch, the cloud base clearly hadn't shifted all day

The Allt Gleann Achrioch has some beautiful sculpted rock formations

And these falls, unnamed on the OS map, must be spectacular in full spate when all of the falls are running

Some old mature Scots pine forest lower down

Beautiful new footbridge over the Allt Gleann Achrioch

A disappointing day, so definitely one to return to, though I'm glad I don't feel the need to do the whole circuit next time - that was a long, long day!