A different world on Beinn Narnain

[johnkaysleftleg]

Following bagging Ben Lomond on Saturday we headed for the Arrochar Alps on the Sunday morning to climb up Beinn Narnain.

Ben Narnian.gpx.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

It was fairly overcast with most of the cloud at about 600m as we set off, quickly finding the path up the line of the long gone hydro project. To say the route was a bit wet was an understatement as it resembled a stream for much of the way.

The stream...sorry path

It hadn’t taken long but we already preferred this wet rough start to the climb than the sanitised path on Ben Lomond. It was steady away as we passed the traverse path and headed up towards the first easy scrambling section. It was very wet so we had to take care but encountered no real problems. For some unbeknown reason, rather than head right to the second scramble we followed just as distinct a path to the left that led us into a stinking bog. We ploughed onwards and upwards and following much squelching we found the path again to our great relief.

Looking down Loch Long

Looking down to Arrochar

Loch Long from higher up

Shortly after this we ascended into cloud before traverseing the top of Cruach nam Miseag. The path that winds its way through the boulders clinging to the edge of the cliffs at times is excellent, full of interest even in poor visibility. Eventually the Spearhead loomed out of the mist looking very imposing indeed and we followed the simple gully to the right onto the summit plateau.

Misty mountain hop!

Balancing act

We wandered through the mist and got within about 10 yards before we actually saw the trig point and shelter. It’s probably the closest we’ve been to a top before we saw it.

Top of the Spearhead

Family summit shot

We had a well earned lunch as it brightened slightly but quite simply we weren’t getting any summit views today. We headed down off the summit and across a small boulder field to be greeted by bright sunshine. The Cobbler provided us with a spectacular sight as it played hide and seek with the cloud. At this point another slight navigational malfunction occurred as we were drawn towards the views and ended up dropping down the side of the hill and over some super slippy rocks one of which saw my better half do a very graceful unplanned bum slide.

Heading down

The Cobbler emerges from the mist

Sunshine on Bealach a' Mhaim

Ptarmigan

Soon enough we reached the path through the valley and a quick return to the car. During this descent Grace was quite tired although her claims to be close to death were somewhat exaggerated.

Looking back to the Cobbler

We really enjoyed Beinn Narnian even with the mist. It’s a proper hill with a great rough ascent from Succoth, certainly a different world to the tourist route up Ben Lomond we did the previous day. The views we did get were truly spectacular and we’re all looking forward to another chance to visit the Arrochar Alps.

[ChrisW]

Great stuff JK, good to see the family all smiles at the top even in the clag I actually thought that first picture was a stream until reading the caption glad you got some sunshine on the deadly descent

[monty]

Nice report JK, ditto Chris, i also thought the path was a burn Shame about the clag but you got some sun on the descent.

[johnkaysleftleg]

Great stuff JK, good to see the family all smiles at the top even in the clag I actually thought that first picture was a stream until reading the caption glad you got some sunshine on the deadly descent

Nice report JK, ditto Chris, i also thought the path was a burn Shame about the clag but you got some sun on the descent.

Thanks lads.

[SusieThePensioner]

Another great report, John, and some fantastic photos
Glad you remembered to take your hat off this time for the family shot

[johnkaysleftleg]

Another great report, John, and some fantastic photos
Glad you remembered to take your hat off this time for the family shot

Helped that I didn't need a sunhat.

[dogplodder]

That's a lovely summit shot of the family - one to treasure in years to come!

[johnkaysleftleg]

That's a lovely summit shot of the family - one to treasure in years to come!

Thanks, even Hughie posed nicely!

[Johnny Corbett]

I remember that path well, it's not changed much since i was up it three years ago. To this day Kim still thinks i took her up the wrong way, claiming "this is not a path, it's a stream", which i couldn't really argue with.

[johnkaysleftleg]

I remember that path well, it's not changed much since i was up it three years ago. To this day Kim still thinks i took her up the wrong way, claiming "this is not a path, it's a stream", which i couldn't really argue with.

Thing is it's remarkably not that slippy. All good fun IMHO

[SMRussell]

Great to see families out in the hills!

But what is it with this mountain and the clag?! It was an absolute clag fest when we did it a few weeks back and each report I've seen since seems the same! Must be a devilish secret up there...

[L-Hiking]

Nice report JK, the family shot is ace as is the camoflaged Ptarmigan

The Cobbler looks inviting from there too!!

[johnkaysleftleg]

Nice report JK, the family shot is ace as is the camoflaged Ptarmigan

The Cobbler looks inviting from there too!!

Thanks LH, the Cobbler must be just about the most amazing looking hill in Britain. I'll walk up it one day but I suspect I'll be too much of a coward to ever bag it.

[Fudgie]

Nice report JK, the family shot is ace as is the camoflaged Ptarmigan

The Cobbler looks inviting from there too!!

Thanks LH, the Cobbler must be just about the most amazing looking hill in Britain. I'll walk up it one day but I suspect I'll be too much of a coward to ever bag it.

There's a stone starircase at the back which makes it very easy to get to the summit. Threading the needle though is a different prospect...