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With a few busy weeks behind me, I was on the plane home from a business trip in Switzerland. Having seen the Alps for a couple of days without being able to set a foot out of the of the office, I was now presented with one of the most amazing views…the Alps from 20000 something feet up in the air – highlighted by the sunset.
Making a mental note to return at some point in my life, I started to think about the upcoming weekend and finally the chance to do some hillwalking again.
By the time the Friday arrived I was more than ready to hit the hills again. In fact having spend a few days with temperatures as high as 18C, my body was confused and I was indeed ready for a wild camping weekend. Having mental images of camping in warm conditions somewhere in Glen Etive, the weather forecast brought me back to reality…
Expected snow showers and freezing conditions above 750m…welcome back to Scotland! Its not summer yet!
Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean were 2 mountains I wanted to do since a while, but after having done an Caisteal and Beinn a'Chroin in knee deep bog I needed some time before I was able to visit ‘Bogland’ again.
As Marco was keen to come for another hillwalk with me, I was happy that I did not had to walk alone and I was sure that after his last ordeal, the 2 Munros were pretty easy and straight forward.
With the advantage of longer nights I was able to enjoy a kind of long lay in (7.30 am rise) and after a 2h drive, we started walking up the mountain at 10:30.
Having left the parking area and realizing there is no way to walk through the first field of bog without sinking in at least 5x, we reached the first part of the path…easy peasy. After having seen pictures of the wonky bridge in some of the other trip reports, I was not disappointed to see the bridge was as dodgy looking as I imagined, but at least you can cross the burn without getting wet feet.
- The wonky bridge
From there it was a long and pretty hard going walk up to Cruach Ardrain. I am not sure if it was lack of food or being tired from some busy days at work, but I really struggled for the first part. I hate days like that when the it takes ages to get the so called second wind. After we reached the top of Cruach Ardrain I finally felt I have woken up fully and my mood lifted a bit as we were presented with some amazing views. Beinn Tulaichean was also a lot closer than I imagined from the map.
- On the way up
- Brilliant rock on the way
- looking back
After a quick drink in sub zero temperatures we did not stay long and walked towards the next hill. Within 5 min the weather changed and we were hit by a blast of snowflakes. Putting on all my spares I was pretty happy that I didn’t decided on camping and we walked on until we reached the top of Beinn Tulaichean. The snow showers did continue and sitting finally down at 2pm I had my much needed sandwich and tea. My energy levels were suddenly back and by the time we set off I was bouncing.
- Summit of Cruach Ardrain
- Beinn Tulaichean
- Freezing lunch
Looking back the path we walked up I realized one thing…there is no way in the world I would be walking back the same way…far too boring.
Luckily Marco wasn’t happy about the fact either, so we decided to walk over the shoulder towards the left hand site which would take us to the valley on the other side of the mountain. Leaving the path and walking down the hill was amazing…the freezing winds stopped, the sun was shining and within 10 min I had to remove all the layers I had to put on earlier on. The walk down the hill and up the other side was so easy and reaching the last snow fields, we could see the easy walk down into the valley.
- Apart from going back the same way, turn to your left and walk over the shoulder
- The easy walk back
I really stared to question why this way was not mentioned in any of the guidebooks. I know it is mentioned in some of the trip reports on this site…but in my opinion it is a much nicer way to complete the round of these 2 Munros .
One word of warning is that the grassy slope is rather slippy and I had a few near falls, while Marco, much to my amusement, managed to fall flat on his bum,
but only his ego was bruised
Walking down the right hand site of the path along the burn, I was hoping for a bridge, but at the end it meant taking shoes and socks of and walking through the burn…one reason why I always carry a small towel.
Hitting the path again was bliss and on the way back to the car we met another hillwalker. He told us he was part of a group and was waiting for 2 other walkers (a man and a women) who were taking their time coming down the other side of the hill. Looking at me with an ‘Excuse me but I have to say this’
expression. He started ranting on about women walkers.
‘Women’ he said, never shut up, they talk all bloddy day….chat chat chat…how can anyone ever walk with them…they take ages on the hills!
Pointing across the hill to the woman and other walker across, he said ‘ You see the two of them…what are they doing…they just stand there, waving, what are they doing...why cant they get a move on …argh I am waiting here since 45min …
He continued in a humorous manner and I had to stop myself from bursting out laughing…
it was hilarious.
Saying our good byes and wishing him good luck we moved on. My question to Marco if I chat to much, was answered with a prompt yes
But to make me stop from throwing him in the next bog patch, he said that at least I had to drag him up the hills and not vice versa.
