Beinn a'Chroin, last of the Crianlarich seven.
Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2019 9:41 pmThis was my third attempt to climb Beinn a'Chroin, previous outings having been cut short due to bad weather and running out of time on a multiple munro trip.
Weather looked quite reasonable for January, brisk northerly wind gradually easing down during the day and the promise of clear blue skies.
Wind chill on summit at first light around -20, warming up as the day progressed.
Left the lay by on the A82 as it started to get light and began the walk up alongside the River Falloch. The first part of the track is surfaced and leads up to a small dam on the river. On the way, you pass the cut off on the left for the ascent up to Cruach Ardrain, and the cut off on the right for An Caisteal.
IMG_3780 Beinn a'Chroin at dawn by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3781 An Caisteal summit at dawn by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3783 by Dam on River Falloch robert irvine, on FlickrOnce you reach the dam, the track ends and you follow the river uphill and try and avoid the worst of the boggy bits, some were frozen over and some were not. There are a couple of intermittent paths but I just made my own way up.
On the way you pass the rock garden as mentioned in many previous reports.
IMG_3788 by robert irvine, on FlickrAfter a couple of kilometers, you cross over the river, now just a stream, and begin the ascent up the North West ridge.
This is where the crampons went on, everything was coated in ice.
IMG_3794 Icy ridge by robert irvine, on Flickr
There was a path, but at times it disappeared under the snow and ice,
IMG_3798 path / ice chute by robert irvine, on Flickr
As you gained height, the wind began to pick up and the temperature began to drop.
The views were great.
IMG_3795 view down river Falloch by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3796 Cruach Ardrain behind a big rock by robert irvine, on FlickrIt was a really enjoyable walk up, the feeling of security that wearing crampons gives you while crunching over the ice.
Arriving at the first, and lower, summit, the wind was really strong.
It made a roaring noise like a train passing by and was blowing up clouds of spindrift.
Trying to stand and take photos was a bit of an effort, but the scenery was fantastic.
IMG_3801 Cruach Ardrain, Ben More, Stob Binnein and Beinn Tulaichean by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3800 An Caisteal by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3802 Panoramic view, Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin left, Ben Ledi centre by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3803 Ben Lomond in the sun by robert irvine, on FlickrI then made my way down the dip and back up to the true summit, passing by, and through, some lovely icicles.
IMG_3806 Icicles on Beinn a'Chroin by robert irvine, on FlickrThe views from the true summit were just as good.
Apart from one.
20190117_125722 Auld git blocking a view of An Caisteal by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3815 Ben Lui range by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3817 Ben Cruachan group by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3821 Ben Vorlich and Stuc a'Chroin in distance by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3825 Bridge of Orchy hills, Cruach Ardrain on right by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3826 View from Beinn a'Chroin summit to secondary summit by robert irvine, on Flickr
IMG_3827 view to Ben Ledi by robert irvine, on Flickr
I then found a sheltered spot out of the wind and in the bright sunshine.
Sat for a good 45 mins and just enjoyed where I was, doesn't get much better than this.
On the way back, I cut the corner and missed out the second summit and followed the same route back down.
On the way along the river, I passed this rock.
Does it look like an Easter Island statue with hair, or am I becoming light headed after a long walk.
IMG_3832 Easter Island statue with hair ? by robert irvine, on FlickrCracking day out.
