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This was our first serious trip into the hills for years, since before having children, and the onset of midlife crisis and a sudden feeling that if we wanted to get up any more Munros we'd better get on with it, meant we had managed to arrange nearly a whole week with Grandparents in charge.
We walked in from Tyndrum the previous evening and camped at the foot of Ben Lui ready to get an early start in the morning. It's a very pleasant walk in from Tyndrum station through the forest then up Glen Cononish with Ben Lui at the head of the glen. Once we pitched our tent we enjoyed the sunset lighting up the shoulder of Ben Oss.
we were up and away bright and early in the morning, straight up the corrie, following the route described in the SMC munros book which was easy enough especially as we could see exactly where we were going. it was a frosty morning and there was still some snow left on the mountain, we were armed with our brand new crampons and my ancient ice axe, (I got it when I was in my teens, but fortunately at that time never had reason to use it seriously as I'd no idea how!) Husband was blessed with a lovely new axe half the weight of mine.
It got better and better as we climbed into the corrie, and we found a patch of snow big enough to justify bringing the crampons (although we could easily have walked round it!)
here's a wee plant high up in the coire gaothach
And here we are at the top just in time for morning coffee
And an inspiring view over to Dalmally with Cruachan behind. My Granny went up there so I can too.
From there we walked down and up along the obvious path to Beinn a'Chleibh. the obvious disadvantage to our route choice then presented itself - to get home, the best way really was back up Ben Lui again. By this time I was beginning to realise that I was getting middle aged and/or unfit. Never mind, it was that or stay on the hill all night!
I don't really have any decent pics after that, but we did do it, coming down Ben Lui by the northern arm of the corrie. That was a very steep long descent, by the time I got to the bottom I wasn't sure if I'd ever walk again!
but I did!