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We decided on a 6am start due to the hot weather and it was overcast as we left the car park at Dalrigh.
- The scene at 6 am
After crossing the railway we headed straight for the footbridge across the bog. It looks very dry but there were still some very wet areas to negotiate.
- Crossing the bridge
Once over the bridge and into the woods everywhere was dry and progress was easy.
- Looking back over the pine woods
The sun started to come out but the clouds were lingering and as we climbed up into them we encountered - cloudberries!
- Cloudberries
It was lovely to be in the cool of the clouds after so much hot weather and they accompanied us all the way to the summit of Beinn Dubhcraig.
- Summit of Beinn Dubhcraig
We hung around for about 15 minutes as the clouds were swirling around and it looked like it was going to clear up but got bored of waiting and retraced our steps then descended to the col with Ben Oss. I wasn't especially looking forward to the climb back up this section as the weather was definitely returning to hot.
- First views of Ben Oss
We found the cairn marking the path up to Ben Oss and it was a nice ascent as the views were now opening up.
- The cairn
It was about 10:30 when we arrived on top and had our lunch with the backdrop of the majestic Ben Lui.
- Ben Oss summit
As we made our way back towards the col, Beinn Dubhcraig finally appeared and we also encountered our first people of the day, a father and son.
- The elusive Beinn Dubhcraig
The climb back up to the main descent route was more enjoyable than anticipated and when we arrived at the cairn marking the route we encountered the majority of the people we saw that day, probably around 6 or 7 in different groups.
The descent alongside the burn was lovely, it was hot now and we stopped for a paddle in one of the pools which also gave Jess, our dog, time to cool down. A guy passed us on his way up as we lounged around and I was pleased we had set off early as he looked very hot and bothered. Back in the woods we met a lady on her way up, bemoaning the fact she had to work in the morning so couldn't set off any earlier.
All in all, a great day out.