Beinn na Lap

[litljortindan]

Having had some knee pain two days earlier from my short walk to Troup Head I was looking for an easy hill to climb to coincide with the forecast fine weather. The forecast was for wall to wall sunshine on the Saturday but something more mixed on Friday and I favoured the latter. As for the hill choice, easy Munros are getting thin on the ground but Beinn na Lap sprang to mind as a possibility.
Gave myself plenty of time for the drive across to Tulloch but didn't register that the A86 was closed though I must have passed a sign along the way. The diversion via Dalwhinnie didn't add on too much time but then mistakenly driving to Fersit first instead of Tulloch did result in my arriving at the station with only fifteen minutes to spare and some consequent hurried packing. Somehow I'd also managed to acquire some internet misinformation about the existence of a ticket machine but pressing the information button soon put me right; ticket to be bought on the train.
There was one other car parked so I thought good, I can just follow the others as they will know where to stand etc. but follow the leader isn't always a good idea. I recall driving to Hampden for the 2010 Scottish Cup final and joining a convoy of cars bedecked in tangerine only to end up lost. Can't really get lost at Tulloch train station though.
All boarding Corrour passengers were advised to congregate near the toilet on arrival as only one exit door would be operating. That was useful information and put my mind at rest regarding successful disembarkation and not ending up in Glasgow or somewhere else along the line and fined. Needless anxiety, of course, probably arising from my first ever solo train journey where I hadn't realised that, in the nineteen eighties this is, you had to open the door by first opening the window and reaching for the handle on the outside.
Anyway, had a highly enjoyable journey with a window seat overlooking Loch Treig and some dramatic views of the hills around. Arrived at Corrour and made my way slowly along the track towards Beinn na Lap. The sky was a mix of cloud and breaks with some hills clear and some still cloaked in cloud, particularly to the west. But it was dry and that was my main concern for the weather.
I was surprised to find that everyone else seemed to be heading right at the track junction. No matter, I continued round to the start of the path up with good views down Loch Ossian and looking back to the station and Leum Uilleim of, I suppose, Trainspotting fame though I dare say it did not get a film credit.
The path heads more or less north up onto the shoulder of Beinn na Lap. But that is easier typed than walked. Whilst only an ascent of 350m or so, that first stretch is quite wet and requires a fair amount of concentration and wriggling around to find the driest way up. I also found the ground sucking my boots in to be a bit tiring. But I got there, of course. And what a contrast once onto the broad and dry summit ridge; another mile and 200m of ascent to go to the top but a pure pleasure to walk and with fantastic views all around.
Probably at about the 800m contour I could see that there were more folk ascending. I stuck to the south side of the broad ridge to get views over Loch Ossian and also south west over Rannoach Moor and west to the hills of Glens Etive and Glencoe. It was a slowly improving day with the cloud gradually lifting off of the summits and more and more blue sky beinhg revealed as well as a steady breeze to keep me cool and to keep the insects off. Couldn't be much better really.
I arrived at the summit all too soon but after a break there I continued east for a short distance to get views looking back of the summit but also north east to Binnein Shuas and its neighbours.
And no knee pain! Having been reduced to shuffling about two days earlier I was very pleased to find that my knees had bounced back. I guess it was the bobbly ground off the main path at Troup Head that had done for them but a bit of rest and stretching had made all the diffeence. Would that still be the case for the descent though?
Naturally, I took it easy on the descent but there's only really one section of steeper ground to negotiate and I managed that ok with the only knee twinges coming, oddly enough, only once back at the station.
After the cautious negotiation of the watery descent path it was an easy stroll back along the track to the station where I got myself a cup of coffee to help fill in the couple of hours of waiting time. I should have thought to bring along something to read but a mix of sitting outside in the sun and inside drinking coffee, writing a postcard and looking at the old photographs on the walls as well some maps made for a pleasant enough wait. I should have picked a book out of the collection at the end of the room that seems to be there for a rainy day and had a read of something but I can do that next time.
Got another window seat for the return journey and soon I was driving back home but I'll remember my little trip to Beinn na Lap for a long time; a great train journey, a fine hill walk, pleasant staff and coffee at the station house, a friednly station house dog and lots of interest on the walls and bookshelves.


Waiting for the train.


And we're off! Quite an exciting short journey overlooking Loch Treig.


And with some decent views beyond.




My Trainspotting moment, alighting at Corrour, but I didn't make a speech decrying the state of the nation or denying that fresh air will do me any good.




There are many ways to go frlom here it seems.


There's a brightening sky ahead and a spring in my step.


Looking back at the station house.


All around the hills are winning their respective battles with the cloud.




A bit overcast at Loch Ossian but still dry.


Highly foreshortened view of the splashy way up.


Eastern Grey Corries I think.


And a good, if slightly hazy, view of Rannoch Moor.


Up onto the shoulder and summit ridge and the going becomes very pleasant and much drier.






Looking back at Leum Uilleim.


Good view across Loch Ossian to the neighbouring Munros.




Brightening to the west.








At the summit there's a good view north east too.


View north.


Had a short break at the summit shelter before diverting a short way east.




Looking back at the summit.


Made a cautious descent over the wet ground and then had an easy stroll on the track back to the station house.


Time for a cup of coffee.


And to say hello to one of the station dogs.


No buses or taxis so I'll just have to wait for the train back.