Clag Bound Benvane

[Gordie12]

I really should have climbed Benvane when doing Ben Ledi a couple of months ago but it was a really hot day and, to be honest, I couldn't be bothered. And so a return trip was required and if the weather gods played fair, I'd take in Beinn Stacath as well.

I'm not good at late starts even when I know I could improve the chances of a cloud free top, I tried this morning but still found myself parked up for just after 8:30am. The sun was in and out of the cloud but it was a decent looking day in store with surprisingly - no midges at the start

I was first in to the large parking area at Ballimore Farm where there are places for half a dozen cars.

Parking area

Bridge at the start

Over the bridge and straight right to follow the sign for Brig o' Turk. As per the WH notes I headed for the gate in the wall (where there is another mention of brig o' Turk) then a few yards further on where the grassy track split, I took the left fork to head directly up the hill with a fence on my left.

Looking back down to the start

View West

An indicator of the rain that was to follow

I was following an ATV track through the grass but managed to lose it somewhere during the initial climb only to see the outline of it over to my West so headed over to pick it up as the initial steep ascent started to ease opposite Lianach.

I brought two rucksacks with me today, the bigger one has room for waterproofs etc the small one is my favourite, it's a little 13l mountain bikers rucksack that I use in the summer on shorter walks like this one. I chose to take the small one with me as the forecast was decent and so the chances of a shower seemed slim and I was only going to be out for around 3 hours. Even if I'd taken the larger sack the chances are I wouldn't put waterproofs on anyway as I only seem to use them once or twice a year and then only when I'm so wet that putting them on is pointless.

And so with my little lightweight rucksack and no waterproofs I headed in to the clag, the wind picked up and the rain started to pour down and it was thoroughly bloomin miserable for about the last 40 minutes of the climb.

After the initial ascent the gradient eases and it's an easy walk to the point where the path meets a fence then runs parallel with it most of the way to the top.

The "view" ahead

Loch Lubnaig appears out of the gloom

Boggy bit ahead

There are a couple of boggy bits to negotiate before crossing a stile at the point where the fence ends and the final climb to the top starts.

Occasionally, the rain stopped and the clouds lifted to give glimpses of the views to be had.

Summit cairn

Loch Lubnaig

Glen Finglas Reservoir

It wasn't a day for hanging around at the top so I had a sandwich on the move as I headed back down the hill.

Looking back at the clouds still covering the top

Didn't hang around on the way down only stopping for a brief chat with a couple who were heading up the hill. I took a look over towards Beinn Stacath but with all the tops clag bound decided to leave it for another day (hopefully one where I could see something).

Back at the car in 2hrs 48 mins so not a long walk by any stretch of the imagination. Don't think this would be in my 2016 top ten hills but it was still good just to get out.