Three (Corbett's) as the Croe Flies

[JimboJim]

Managed to arrange another hook up with Steve. This time our plans were for something more local, so we arranged a rendezvous at Ardgartan, keeping options open. Steve, then kindly went along with my suggestion, to take a car to the top of ‘the Rest,’ do Ben Donich, head over to ‘the Brack,’ then “the new one” Cnoc Coinnich, down Coilessan Glen, back round to the other motor. Simples!

Lochgoilhead.

Towards Ben Lomond.

Arrochar Alps and beyond, to Ben More and Stob Binnein.

Doon the Clyde, to Paddy's Milestone.

Fairly standard climb to the top of Ben Donich. Route over to the Brack, was relatively straight forward, although one has to beware of several steep shelves, which require care to negotiate. Once at the bottom, we eyed what looked like an obvious route up. What also, soon became obvious, was who was fit (Steve) and who was unfit (me.) Quite a steep haul up to the top, but I made it, eventually.

Looking over to Cnoc Coinnich.

The Ben, away to the north.

Looking down on the old torpedo testing range and Arrochar.

On the summit of The Brack, looking out to the Paps.

Glen Croe.

Beinn an Lochain.

Coming off the Brack, heading SW, there is also one, or two steep, craggy bits to negotiate, but no bother in good vis, such as we were enjoying. I think we then came round the east side of the 578m spot, whereas the WH route, shows a track to the west, but I may be wrong about this. Either way, shouldn’t make much difference. A short jaunt to the west, along the Cowal, way, then detour up the ridge, to the summit of Cnoc Coinnich. Nice views and a feeling of a fairly hefty hike, however there is still a good distance back to Ardgartan.

From Cnoc Coinnich.

Back to the Brack, with the Arrochar hills behind.

Ben More, Mull, way in the distance.

Looking over Gare Loch and Clyde.

Give us a wave :)

Survived a few scary moments evading a deranged, earth excavator, re-sculpting the track down to Coilessan. Tricky trying to approach, when driver can neither see, or hear you Once on the tarred road along the lochside, my legs and feet were feeling the pace, however our (well, my mood) mood was lightened by a Dutch army, heavy recovery lorry, having gone in the ditch, wondering about the fun and games it would take to get the lorry out and, who would take the blame for that. Schadenfruede, I believe it is called

Looking over to Arrochar, from the lochside.

Eventually, made it back to the car, at Ardgartan, taking 6 hours for the 11.5 miles, 1385m of ascent and three Ronnie’s