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Firstly we should pay tribute & offer our sympathies to Martin (MG1976) who organised this little outing/gathering, I will let him explain/rant about why he failed to make an appearance & wasn't even offered the services of a taxi from Preston to Corrour
The English rail companies obviously aren't as caring or compassionate as Scotrail
The plan was hatched to meet at either Crianlarich or Corrour, Martin having researched all the train times & costings, especially as bookings had to be made as we were catching the earliest available train from Crianlarich, which happened to be the sleeper. So bookings were made with Scotrail & tickets were received in the post & we all had seat reservations.
6 of us arrived bright & early at Crianlarich, but due to the severe midge activity we had to take avoiding action.
This was the first time I had travelled on a sleeper & I have to say I suitably impressed, the carriages were almost luxurious, curtains on the windows, foot rests, seats were wider & more comfortable with much more leg room. We had been allocated seats in coach "S" which just happened to be the last coach & as the train was fairly lengthy & Crianlarich platform isn't, this involved wandering through the last couple of carriages, carrying our rucksacks & looking like proper adventurers
The train journey from Crianlarich to Corrour was absolutely superb, it was a real treat just sitting back & admiring the views, totally different from driving
It would have been nice to face the direction we were travelling but that is just nit picking
So at 9am we duly arrived at the remote outpost of the British Empire known as Corrour Station & file off the train carefully trying not to hit fellow passengers with our rucksacks. Once we assembled outside the station we met Evie (Sunny Speyside) who had arrived from the north.
We knew we were up against it time wise as the last train south leaves Corrour at 1825hrs, so we didn't hang around & headed along the fairly newly constructed track, the plan was to follow the WH route and climb the 2 munro's to the south of Loch Ossian first
We set off at a fair old pace & although it was hardly June weather we soon warmed up once we started the uphill trek.
The summit of Carn Dearg was reached, however almost on cue the clag arrived just as we were about to leave. I won't mention that fact that one of the group Andy (AJ Nicholls) has a history of taking clag with him, certainly on the 2 occasions I have walked with him the views have been limited
A couple of photo's were taken & as it was a bit chilly it was time to move on. In our anxiety to press on, we followed what we thought was the path to Sgor Gaibhre. After we had descended maybe a 100' or so it was time to check & make sure we heading the right way, just as well because instead of heading east we were heading south
You have to bear in mind visibility was about 20m, so it was a 180 back up to the summit
- A couple of posers in the way up Carn Dearg, Loch Ossian in the background
- Looking back over Loch Ossian, the youth hostel is hidden by the trees
- The magnificent 7 on the summit of Carn Dearg
I am going to have to get more practice using my tripod, everyone else is looking at the camera, I have yet to master this difficult task
- Quite an impressive cairn on Carn Dearg
So once we were heading in the right direction, the clag lifted and we could see exactly where we were heading, quite a good path across moorland. There are one or two patches that could pose problems underfoot, after a lengthy spell of rain, but we hardly got our boots dirty
The summit of Sgor Gaibhre was reached without too much difficulty
- The way across the moorland to Sgor Gaibhre
- The summit of Sgor Gaibhre, nothing special. Note waterproof jackets on!
- A wee snack was taken on the summit & Chris decided to sit all by himself, may have had HAKE sandwiches & didn't want to show the rest of us!
The plan was to head down the grassy slopes to Corrour Lodge, however Evie had plenty of time to spare & decided to take in the nearby summit of Sgor Choinnich. We then decided to head over the grassy slope to Meall Nathrach Mor (834m) as it wasn't too far off our decent route, we also thought it could be a Corbett
Now the bad news for Chris (jepsonscotland), unfortunately it isn't listed as a Corbett so you didn't bag your first one, so the huge round of applause you received was in vane
- The summit of Meall Nathrach Mor, not a Corbett, not a spectacular cairn either
- Looking down to Corrour Lodge
- Looking up towards Aonach Beag & Uisge Labhair
- Looking along Loch Ossian
We reached a de-forested area to east of Corrour Lodge before 1345hrs and we figured we were going to be able to manage Ben na Lap as well. The original plan was to head up to the summit from the east, initially crossing a de-forested area which would be far more difficult and not ideal after nearly 5 hours of walking
- Our ready made dining area
- Barry & Colleen
So we set off along the track taking us past Corrour Lodge & I came up with a really cunning plan
I suggested we walk along the track heading west along the north bank of Loch Ossian, climb up Ben na Lap via the WH suggested route, however as we would be descending the same way, why not leave our rucksacks near the start of the climb
Everyone was in favour of the plan so we marched along the track, the track is one of the best I have walked along & would be ideal for racing along on a mountain bike
We reached the foot of Ben na Lap shortly after 3pm, so we had just over 3 hrs to get up & down, easy peasy
- Dumping the rucksacks & having a good drink before departing
So off we set uphill, it was rather strange walking lightweight and we started off in good spirits, but that didn't last long as the slog uphill was energy sapping, especially after walking 20+ km
As usual Andy set off in his usual mountain goat fashion, with Barry & Colleen trying to keep up with him but to no avail
I was next trying to keep up & failing miserably & at the coo's tail was Karen & Chris
Chris will no doubt use the old excuse of new boots and sore feet, but that isn't really very original
- A stop to catch my breath, Loch Ossian & the youth hostel
It has to be said that the views from the summit of Ben na Lap will take some beating, a full 360 panorama. It was getting cold & a brisk wind was making it feel even colder. I should have taken far more photo's but I was feeling a bit on the cool side
- The Easain Ridge
- Evie arriving out of the blue
- Karen & Chris sprinting up to the summit, note the background shot
- Summit pose, Chris trying his best to show off his new boots
- Summit pose number 2
- Youth hostel visible at last
- Corrour Restaurant with the station hiding behind
The descent was fairly pleasant & easy, Barry & I descended down the grassy slopes we were both keen to get back to our rucksacks, mainly for a drink. The trip up & down Ben na Lap took under 2 hours and the change of plan proved to be worthwhile
Evie decided to remain on the summit & enjoy the views & had the luxury of dawdling, as her train wasn't until after 9pm and was planning to taste the food on offer in the restaurant. I take it you got home alright, albeit rather late, was the food any good?
We arrived at the station before 6pm and I would estimate there were another 10 or so folk also waiting for the train, we discussed the logic in the restaurant not opening until 6.30pm, 5 minutes after the last train south
Scotrail could also make a few extra pennies - Andy suggested a vending machine containing drinks, which if you think about it would need filling at least weekly. I daresay just about everyone on the station has been walking & could murder a tin of something or other
The train arrived ON TIME and had 4 carriages, naturally we were in carriage A, which was at the front & had to accessed by the carriage behind
The train journey back to Crianlarich for me was even better as I was facing towards the front & the views over Rannoch Moor, the hills round the Bridge of Orchy & Tyndrum were amazing
We had decided earlier that the 6 of us heading south would eat in Crianlarich & as there isn't a great deal of choice opted for the 'Rod & Reel'. The food was OK, some selections better than others, Andy's haggis took the prize for presentation
I was a bit bemused having looked at the menu, if you were dining in a place called the Rod & Reel you would expect to be looking at a menu full of fish dishes. So if anyone is planning to go there for a great selection of fishy treats, don't bother as the only fish dish is Fish & Chips
, which is not even very original.
Yet another successful, fantastic day out in great company and without WH none of us would have ever met, really feel sorry for Martin as I know you were looking forward to this little outing
I was going to use a snooker related title but the day wasn't about me (147) it was a team effort, well done to all my fellow walkers for making the day so memorable
