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After many years of looking up towards Cruach Ardrain whilst driving from Tyndrum towards Crainlarich on my many trips home from West Coast ventures, it was time to climb the mountain. It always amuses me the random pattern of events and circumstances that determine your next mountain destination. Yes, I do plan trips to an extent, but there seems to be a element of destiny and fate that decides where to go next. This adds even more to the satifaction of exploring our wonderful mountain landscape.......
Valerie had informed me last week that this weekend was to be the best opportunity for a while with fair weather conditions and low winds, so we were up and away from the house at 7.15am and were walking by 9.30am. It was a fine run through via Loch Earn and then we headed to Balquhidder. The early morning setting a long Loch Voil was beautiful with lingering mists and then we arrived at the carpark just a few hundred metres back from Inverlochlarig. Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean are two lovely mountain summits each with their own very fine characteristcs, and a good path connecting them. This path is obvious and well used at the high bealach/summit levels as many walkers tackling the hills from the Crianlarich side also use this a route to and from Beinn Tulaichean. I would point out though that the main climbing and descent roues from Inverlochlarig Glen are not obvious and are steep and boggy. Worth noting depending on how at home you are when walking off the beaten track.
- Cruach Adrain with the crags of Creagan Duhba below.
- Ben More and Stob Binnein
- 'This way'
- On the bealach and 'oh is it about to cloud over?'
- Ritchie thinking 'Where is she?'
- Oh here she comes, having put on her over-trousers back to front!
- Emerging out of the cloud again, after some great chat with fellow walkers heading back down.
- A nice swinging round approach to the summit of Cruach Ardrain.
- Fantastic changing timeless environment!
- A final drop then up to the summit cairn.
- As happy as ever and ready for a bite to eat. We were able to sit for a few moments and savour the moments.
- On our way back round this magnificent mountain top.
- Crianlarich nestled below......
- Retreating back to the bealach with Beinn Tulaichean in our sights.
- This lochan was shrouded in cloud on our way up.
- Now a chance for one of my favourites - the lochan shot!
- A view back to Cruach Ardrain.
- Beinn Tulaichean.
- The summit cairn with beautiful surroundings.
- Loch Voil appears, from where we approached this morning along the lochside single track road.
- A rugged and fascinating area just south of the summit.
- A view back down into Inverlochlarig.
- Quite a view to say the least!
We were back down off Beinn Tulaichean in good time as we were due back for a party at neighbour's house in the evening, and I don't like to miss out when there's a wee hoolie on the go, but first we had a small rescue operation to carry out. Earlier that morning we had met a nice lady with her dog Jack. They had driven up the glen to park up and conduct test samples from the burn as part of an on-going study. They have a red car that you are able to spot in one of my later photos. Anyway, when we initially met earlier, Jack had attempted to follow us up the mountainside and had to be coaxed back to his owner. We met again when coming off the mountain as Jack had jumped onto his owner's lap as they retreated down the glen and the car swerved into a muddy ditch! Between ourselves and another walker who was able to get his 4x4 from the carpark all was eventually well with no damage done.......some good banter and stories to tell.
We also met some lovely people during the day on the connecting ridge, spent much time exchanging tales and this all added to a great day. Where to next? The Cobbler I say..........
