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Ben More & Stob Binnein in the sun

PostPosted: Sat Jul 21, 2018 9:32 pm
by maxie23
Left Falkirk at 5 a.m. and had a lovely quiet drive up, the scenery was fantastic, everything was crystal clear in the early morning sun. 8)
Parked in the large lay by at the side of Loch Lubhair, in between two camper vans, must be a great way to tour Scotland in the recent good weather.
Loch Lubhair in early morning sun.jpg
Loch Lubhair in early morning sun

Got suited and booted and left at 6.30 a.m., gloves, jacket and hat on, bit of a nip in the air.
I walked the quarter mile or so along the A85 until I spotted the huge sign for Ben More.
Expensive looking sign.jpg
Expensive looking sign

Through the gap in the hedge, across the ditch and off we go up the farm track.
Ben More really dominates everything at the start
First look at Ben More.jpg
Ben More

I had already made the decision to walk up Benmore Glen and reach the bealach from there, avoiding the slog up the front of Ben More, my legs are still a bit rusty after a long lay off from the hills.
It's then a very pleasant walk up through the glen on a well surfaced farm track.
First view of Stob Binnein.jpg
First view of Stob Binnein

When the track ends after a mile or so, it's just a case of following the Benmore burn on your right hand side, for another half mile.
Benmore burn.jpg
Benmore burn

Turn left now, and aim for the low point of the bealach, heading for a large boulder.
Big rock close up.jpg
Large boulder close up

Upon reaching the rock, cross the burn on the right hand side and you will pick up a path heading uphill along side the burn.Follow the path and it will take you safely through a gap in the crags ahead.
Path through crags.jpg
Path through crags

From here it is not too long before you reach the bealach, it was a nice climb up in the cool of the early morning shade, into the sun now with quite a stiff westerly breeze.
Ben More from bealach.jpg
Ben More from bealach
Stob Binnein from bealach.jpg
Stob Binnein from bealach

I went for Stob Binnein first as I was still unsure at this point if I was going to descend down the front of Ben More or retrace my journey back down the glen.
It's quite a steep pull up Stob Binnein from here on a zig zagging path but well worth the effort when you reach the summit.
Almost there.jpg
Almost there
Summit in view.jpg
Summit in view

I had the top to myself and sat for 30 minutes or so, out of the breeze, admiring the views and enjoying my lunch, a roll on chicken, corn beef and boiled egg, no expense spared.
Ben More and beyond from summit.jpg
Ben More and beyond from summit
Looking South from summit.jpg
Looking south from summit

Back down to the bealach and up towards the top of Ben More.
It was here that I came across my first fellow hillwalker, a chap from Preston who travels a long road up to enjoy the mountains.
I sat for a while and had a chat.
Then it was back to the uphill slog, it's steep on the south side of Ben More too.
It's steep at the back also.jpg
It's steep at the back also

Couple of little steps just before the top, but nothing too tricky.
Little step, no problem.jpg
First step, no problem
Another little step, no problem.jpg
Second step, no problem

Then the trig point appears, yipee !
Eureka !.jpg
Eureka !

Went to the summit cairn and took lots of photos.
Bit more cloud rolling in now, but still fantastic views.
Half a dozen people at the top with more arriving as time went by.
Summit cairn looking east to Lawyers range.jpg
Summit cairn looking east to Lawyers range
Crianlarich and beyond.jpg
Crianlarich and beyond

Stayed for about 40 mins or so, had another roll and enjoyed saying hello to fellow walkers, always enjoy hearing all the different accents on top of a busy hill.
Decided to descend down the north face, boy it is steep.
Down we go.jpg
Down we go
Steeper and steeper.jpg
Steeper and steeper
Must be good coming up the way.jpg
Must be good coming up the way

Met people as they were heading uphill, good workout for their legs.
Eventually got down and met the farm track again.
Once back on the A85, it is a nice walk back to the lay by, gives you a chance to stretch your legs on a flat surface for a change, heaven.
Cracking walk, lovely hills and met some nice people.
Well satisfied.

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Re: Ben More & Stob Binnein in the sun

PostPosted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 7:54 am
by HalfManHalfTitanium
Great photos!

Looks like a better route to these two than the usual direct route. I have done a variety of walks around Crianlarich, but the one I have never fancied is relentless-looking slog up Ben More. This looks a better way to do it!

Tim

Re: Ben More & Stob Binnein in the sun

PostPosted: Sun Jul 22, 2018 6:24 pm
by maxie23
HalfManHalfTitanium wrote:Great photos!

Looks like a better route to these two than the usual direct route. I have done a variety of walks around Crianlarich, but the one I have never fancied is relentless-looking slog up Ben More. This looks a better way to do it!

Tim


Thanks Tim.
Cracking day, lovely views.
I must admit when I was halfway down the front of Ben More I was wishing I had gone back down by the bealach way.
If this is what your legs are like going down the way, it must be a hard slog going up the way.

Re: Ben More & Stob Binnein in the sun

PostPosted: Tue Jul 24, 2018 8:26 pm
by katyhills
It is indeed a hard slog doing it the conventional way, but very satisfying :D

Lovely report - and some great photos. Great that you enjoyed doing them and especially getting those views. Don't think I had any views in the summit clag. All the Crianlarich hills are good days out though.
I can't walk at all in the heat we've been having, so haven't been looking in here a lot - too depressing reading all the reports! :lol:

Re: Ben More & Stob Binnein in the sun

PostPosted: Sun Jul 29, 2018 9:29 pm
by maxie23
katyhills wrote:It is indeed a hard slog doing it the conventional way, but very satisfying :D

Lovely report - and some great photos. Great that you enjoyed doing them and especially getting those views. Don't think I had any views in the summit clag. All the Crianlarich hills are good days out though.
I can't walk at all in the heat we've been having, so haven't been looking in here a lot - too depressing reading all the reports! :lol:


Katyhills
Thank you for your comments.
It looks as if the really hot weather is breaking a bit.
Hope you get back out there soon.
Regards

Re: Ben More & Stob Binnein in the sun

PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 8:57 am
by ronofcam
maxie23 wrote:Parked in the large lay by at the side of Loch Lubhair, in between two camper vans, must be a great way to tour Scotland in the recent good weather.

Just for your information, it's 'iubhair', not 'lubhair' (it's a capital i, not a lower-case L). It's pronounced 'yew-ar', not 'lub-hair'. It means 'yew loch'.

I remember when the road signs went up originally they said 'Lubhair'. They were quickly taken down when people pointed out the mistake! In part it's to do with us English speakers not being able to get our heads around an 'i' coming before a 'u' at the start of a word. We assume it must be a consonant.

Anyway, looks like you had a great day.

Re: Ben More & Stob Binnein in the sun

PostPosted: Wed Aug 01, 2018 5:35 pm
by maxie23
ronofcam wrote:
maxie23 wrote:Parked in the large lay by at the side of Loch Lubhair, in between two camper vans, must be a great way to tour Scotland in the recent good weather.

Just for your information, it's 'iubhair', not 'lubhair' (it's a capital i, not a lower-case L). It's pronounced 'yew-ar', not 'lub-hair'. It means 'yew loch'.

I remember when the road signs went up originally they said 'Lubhair'. They were quickly taken down when people pointed out the mistake! In part it's to do with us English speakers not being able to get our heads around an 'i' coming before a 'u' at the start of a word. We assume it must be a consonant.

Anyway, looks like you had a great day.


ronofcam
Thank you for your comments, you are right, it is Loch Iubhair, not Lubhair, pardon my ignorance.
Ta for heads up re spelling, pronunciation and meaning.
Really was a great day out.
I love watching the Munro show series with Muriel Gray on you tube. I think my favorite part of each show is when Sorley Maclean gives his take on the Gaelic pronunciation, and meaning, of each mountain. What an education and what a droll sense of humour he had.
Went off topic a bit.
Regards