Beinn na Lap

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

With a weather forecast of winds and wintry showers, we selected this hill as being a short and relatively safe outing - with a start at 400m altitude to make it easier.

But first, there was the little adventure of a train journey to Corrour. This was a new outing for me, with a real sense of venturing into the wilderness.

From the path to Loch Ossian, Corrour Station appears to nestle between the folds of Rannoch Moor with its lochans, and the rising sloped of Leum Uilleim.

IMG_3605 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Our track led towards a menacing prospect of the hills around the Bealach Dubh.

IMG_3600 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

The Youth Hostel was silhouetted against the shores of the lake.

IMG_3611 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

As we left the Loch Ossian track for the open hillside, the rain hit us, turning to snow higher up. It was one of those days when the word "path" is interchangeable with the word "stream". The Walkhighlands description of this route says "Muddy lower slopes; pathless indistinct ridge higher up" and that says everything you need to know.

The angle eased as we reached the crest of the ridge (marked Ceann Caol Beinn na Lap on maps) at around 700m. After that the snowstorm relented slightly, and it was a pleasant but featureless walk in the mist up to the summit, which can be found just beyond a small pond, perched on a pavement of tilted slabs. It's the sort of spot that makes you think how nice it would be in good weather.

IMG_3618 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Coming down was a navigational doddle, a matter of following our own footprints in the snow. Then the clouds ripped open and we had some views of Rannoch Moor and Loch Ossian.

IMG_3623 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

IMG_3626 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

Another shower managed to nab us before we got to the sanctuary of the Corrour Cafe, which had suitably Trainspotting views from its windows.

IMG_3632 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr

And a view from the opposite window towards Bealach Dubh, all sunshine and smiles now.

IMG_3638 by Half Man Half Titanium, on Flickr