An Casteal and Bein a'Chroin

[houdi]

Pleased you cleared that up matt as I was beginning to think I'd been in the Twilight Zone on Sunday!! Yes, Saturday was a much better day. I did Stob a' Choire Odhair and Stob Ghabar that day and, although these two did not lift their heads out of the clouds all day (just my luck again) everywhere else seemed to have beautiful clear blue skies. There wasn't a cloud in sight over Ben Cruachan. And, yes, it was breezy on Saturday but not to the extremes of Sunday.
Fudgie - I did An Caisteal on NY Day this year and had brilliant views, but it was too icy to continue on to Beinn a' Chroin (I don't have crampons) so, like you with Chabhair, I will have to do this one again. Will probably combine it with Beinn Chabhair next time, which I haven't done yet.
MC - Yes, the walk out along the valley is definitely the boggiest (and longest) route I've ever experienced. I will never complain about the bogs in the Lairig Gartain again after this.

[robertian]

On doing An Casteal a few weeks ago , I noticed that you dont actually have to cross the boggy field at the beginning/ end of the walk. On returning to the layby I actually just walked through the river rather than crossing the bridge , in order to clean my boots and gaiters. At the north end of the layby there is a gate and if you follow the track it takes you down under the railway and to the river. I wonder how many walkers have had filthy manky boots BEFORE they even get to the underpass ?
Cheers
Ian

[houdi]

Ditto Robertian. I parked my car near that gate and saw a couple of lads going that way, so I followed them. Didn't have to cross that boggy field at all.