B. Ime by the direct route. A random day?
Posted: Wed Jul 27, 2016 12:02 amBeen a while since I did this one, but remember that feeling of needing to get out, though weather wasn't looking too favourable. Chewed over a few route options around Arrochar, but left options open as I headed from home. Tend to be somewhat impulsive and indecisive 
En route, thought I might tackle Beinn Ime from Butterbridge, perhaps this time via Bealach a' Mhargaidh, although I may have also entertained a daft notion to just see what it would be like, tackled head on
So, I set off, up the side of the Allt Beinn Ime, before turning south into the corrie between Ime and Luibhean. Top of Beinn Ime was just about clear and eyes were fixed on the western face, looking for likely way up, while wondering inside, if this was really a wise move, especially being on my own. It looks quite steep near the top, but sometimes things aren't as steep once you are close up 
Always comes a point when one has to decide and eventually opted to 'suck it and see,' choosing to keep to the left of the main cleft rising high, up the centre of the hill. It soon turned steep and was hard going, up the grassy slopes, however certainly lower down, I felt reasonably comfortable. About, what I'd reckon would be about 8/900 m, that feeling began to change, probably having looked down a few times, thinking one might roll a long way here, before being able to stop! For all that, grip and strength remained good and didn't really want to turn back here, so soldiered on, but just a bit more carefully, eventually reaching spot, I figured might be more difficult, as obvious route became un-obvious, as it became more craggy
By now the pulse was definitely beating, inside and out
Edged my way right, round boulder, but a move to climb it, was at the limit of what I wanted to try. Bleep! Decided to get my ice axe out, as I felt I needed extra grip and worked my way back, before trying less appealing look round to the left. Used the axe and grabbed up side of rock, very gingerly, more than a few times wondering what I was doing and how daft I would look, if anything should go wrong. Just be careful and your nearly there. I drifted a little off to the left just below the top and felt considerable relief, as the slope gradually eased, to a point where the axe was returned to its home. A short walk and that was it. Wow, I had done it. Two hours fifteen, but was it worth it?
Anyway, decided I'd make for the Cobbler and decide what to do from there. Didn't meet anyone till some guys working on the path, right near the gap between the north and south peak. Decided I would then skirt down by Arthur's Seat, as I had never been round that side, then head east, over and up to the bealach between Cruach nam Miseag, up the Spearhead, onto Beinn Narnian. It was tough going up to the bealach and the usual wee moments up by the Spearhead, before finally making the top.
From here it was a relatively straightforward hike, descending NW off Narnian, round to Bealach a' Mhargaidh and back to the car. Well, that was a random day
En route, thought I might tackle Beinn Ime from Butterbridge, perhaps this time via Bealach a' Mhargaidh, although I may have also entertained a daft notion to just see what it would be like, tackled head on
So, I set off, up the side of the Allt Beinn Ime, before turning south into the corrie between Ime and Luibhean. Top of Beinn Ime was just about clear and eyes were fixed on the western face, looking for likely way up, while wondering inside, if this was really a wise move, especially being on my own. It looks quite steep near the top, but sometimes things aren't as steep once you are close up - From the start/end point.
- Looking up. Doesn't look that steep!
- Looking down. Doesn't look that steep!
Always comes a point when one has to decide and eventually opted to 'suck it and see,' choosing to keep to the left of the main cleft rising high, up the centre of the hill. It soon turned steep and was hard going, up the grassy slopes, however certainly lower down, I felt reasonably comfortable. About, what I'd reckon would be about 8/900 m, that feeling began to change, probably having looked down a few times, thinking one might roll a long way here, before being able to stop! For all that, grip and strength remained good and didn't really want to turn back here, so soldiered on, but just a bit more carefully, eventually reaching spot, I figured might be more difficult, as obvious route became un-obvious, as it became more craggy
- Very rough track of route.
By now the pulse was definitely beating, inside and out
Edged my way right, round boulder, but a move to climb it, was at the limit of what I wanted to try. Bleep! Decided to get my ice axe out, as I felt I needed extra grip and worked my way back, before trying less appealing look round to the left. Used the axe and grabbed up side of rock, very gingerly, more than a few times wondering what I was doing and how daft I would look, if anything should go wrong. Just be careful and your nearly there. I drifted a little off to the left just below the top and felt considerable relief, as the slope gradually eased, to a point where the axe was returned to its home. A short walk and that was it. Wow, I had done it. Two hours fifteen, but was it worth it? - Glen Kinglas and ridge of Binnein an Fhidhleir.
- Loch's Lomond, Arklet and Katrine.
- Over to Ben Lomond. Still a bit of snow around.
- Looking back to top of BI.
Anyway, decided I'd make for the Cobbler and decide what to do from there. Didn't meet anyone till some guys working on the path, right near the gap between the north and south peak. Decided I would then skirt down by Arthur's Seat, as I had never been round that side, then head east, over and up to the bealach between Cruach nam Miseag, up the Spearhead, onto Beinn Narnian. It was tough going up to the bealach and the usual wee moments up by the Spearhead, before finally making the top.
- The Cobbler's backside!
- Looking back up Beinn Ime.
- "Hang on a minute."
- The 'Needle,' looking down to Loch Long.
- Closer look at Ardgartan.
- Think this is about the Spearhead, looking down to Arrochar.
- Finnart and Clyde, beyond.
- Over to the Cobbler, Needle and Arthur's Seat.
From here it was a relatively straightforward hike, descending NW off Narnian, round to Bealach a' Mhargaidh and back to the car. Well, that was a random day
- Descent route, via Bealach a' Mhargaidh.
- Over to Beinn an Lochain, a nice wee climb if you haven't yet tried it?
- Very rough track of route.
- From the start/end point.
