Argyll duo
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 7:49 pmSaturday morning - Beinn a'Bhuiridh
The wee parking area on the B8077 just off the A85 contained road laying vehicles so parked on the verge beside the gate to the old quarries track. Not long after setting off along the track a herd of highland cattle was blocking the way ahead - early morning feeding time. Discretion being the better part of valour, I took a wide detour through some boggy ground before getting back to the track.
Followed the track round into the start of Coire Chreachainn.
The track branched off up Coire Chreachainn and I went left up the hillside into Coire Ghlas.
The track seemed to go on further than was marked on the map but I knew I had to pick a spot and head up towards Monadh Driseig. Couldn’t see a track so just headed up the hill - very steep at times with hands needed off and on.
Looking towards Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a’Chochuill
Looking towards Beinn a’Bhuiridh from the ascent
Took some time but eventually got up to the top and went past Monadh Driseig. Beinn a’Bhuiridh wasn’t too far away but looked as though there were some snow patches to avoid - was still carrying full winter gear just in case.
Loch Awe
View eastwards towards Ben Lui
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Up around some crags and stayed to the left to avoid most of the snow patches.
Loch Awe
Got to a wee cairn then headed further to the west to get to the summit cairn.
Ben Cruachan
Had a break and sat in the sun before heading back. Had thought about descending via Coire Ghlas but decided just to head back down via Monadh Driseig.
Back on the track, the cattle were dispersed across the field and on the track - had no choice other than to walk through them this time.
View up Glen Strae towards Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh
Back at the car there were several other cars parked along the B8077. Got ready and drove back along the A85 then up the B8074 Glen Orchy road to the lay-by at the Eas Urchaidh falls.
Saturday afternoon - Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh
Had some more food, got ready and set off over the bridge. Met two canoeists and saw some more canoes sitting at the side of the track. Followed the mountain biking trail up though the forest.
Glimpses above the trees of where I was heading.
Sign post to the wee bridge
From here on there were more signposts so just followed them rather than take a possibly incorrect route in the trees.
More glimpses above the trees.
Got to the boundary fence and style - signpost indicating open hill access
Small waterfall
Headed northerly up into Coire Chailleach.
Steep section before getting to the top where there was a fairly flat walk to the summit cairn.
Ben Lui
Ben More and Stob Binnein
Summit in sight
Views from the summit
Stopped for a break in the sun and to eat some more food. Then set off back down towards the trees. Had been thinking about adding on the Graham, Beinn Donachain on the return leg. However, it would mean an extra 350m or so of ascent and a longer walk back to the car - decided that I’d had a good enough day and so just headed back to the style and the walk back through the trees.
Eas Urchaidh falls
Back to the car, got ready and drove up the rest of the Glen Orchy road to the A82. Don’t think I’d been up this road before - it’s a nice drive and there were many cars parked with tents up at the side of the road. Nice weekend for it.
The wee parking area on the B8077 just off the A85 contained road laying vehicles so parked on the verge beside the gate to the old quarries track. Not long after setting off along the track a herd of highland cattle was blocking the way ahead - early morning feeding time. Discretion being the better part of valour, I took a wide detour through some boggy ground before getting back to the track.
Followed the track round into the start of Coire Chreachainn.
The track branched off up Coire Chreachainn and I went left up the hillside into Coire Ghlas.
The track seemed to go on further than was marked on the map but I knew I had to pick a spot and head up towards Monadh Driseig. Couldn’t see a track so just headed up the hill - very steep at times with hands needed off and on.
Looking towards Beinn Eunaich and Beinn a’Chochuill
Looking towards Beinn a’Bhuiridh from the ascent
Took some time but eventually got up to the top and went past Monadh Driseig. Beinn a’Bhuiridh wasn’t too far away but looked as though there were some snow patches to avoid - was still carrying full winter gear just in case.
Loch Awe
View eastwards towards Ben Lui
[/url]Up around some crags and stayed to the left to avoid most of the snow patches.
Loch Awe
Got to a wee cairn then headed further to the west to get to the summit cairn.
Ben Cruachan
Had a break and sat in the sun before heading back. Had thought about descending via Coire Ghlas but decided just to head back down via Monadh Driseig.
Back on the track, the cattle were dispersed across the field and on the track - had no choice other than to walk through them this time.
View up Glen Strae towards Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh
Back at the car there were several other cars parked along the B8077. Got ready and drove back along the A85 then up the B8074 Glen Orchy road to the lay-by at the Eas Urchaidh falls.
Saturday afternoon - Beinn Mhic-Mhonaidh
Had some more food, got ready and set off over the bridge. Met two canoeists and saw some more canoes sitting at the side of the track. Followed the mountain biking trail up though the forest.
Glimpses above the trees of where I was heading.
Sign post to the wee bridge
From here on there were more signposts so just followed them rather than take a possibly incorrect route in the trees.
More glimpses above the trees.
Got to the boundary fence and style - signpost indicating open hill access
Small waterfall
Headed northerly up into Coire Chailleach.
Steep section before getting to the top where there was a fairly flat walk to the summit cairn.
Ben Lui
Ben More and Stob Binnein
Summit in sight
Views from the summit
Stopped for a break in the sun and to eat some more food. Then set off back down towards the trees. Had been thinking about adding on the Graham, Beinn Donachain on the return leg. However, it would mean an extra 350m or so of ascent and a longer walk back to the car - decided that I’d had a good enough day and so just headed back to the style and the walk back through the trees.
Eas Urchaidh falls
Back to the car, got ready and drove up the rest of the Glen Orchy road to the A82. Don’t think I’d been up this road before - it’s a nice drive and there were many cars parked with tents up at the side of the road. Nice weekend for it.
It appears your fitness is back pretty quick after your lay off when hibernating during winter 
