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The final Helensburgh Saturday of the term – I jumped in the car and decided to revisit some hills I’d not had a view from previously. Parking at Ardgarten I ditched the dress and slipped into something more comfortable
I waited for yet another shower to finish before heading off along the track. It was a beautiful afternoon and with one more concert down I felt a lot more relaxed
Up the footpath….as steep as I remember
Height was gained quickly and layers were shed as I was getting seriously warm
Before long I was above the trees and able to look up Glen Croe towards Beinn an Lochain
I crossed the burn without too much difficulty….
A rainbow
The Cobbler, with Beinn Ime & Narnain behind
Some view eh
It was easy walking although very squishy underfoot. Once I reached the snow it made it harder as the snow was very damp and every foot slipped through into more bog. Even trying to stick to the rocks didn’t really help as they were slippery too
I met a couple of people near the lochan who said they weren’t going any higher because there was lots of snow….
Loch Long and the Luss Grahams
It was an easy climb up the shoulder – the snow was more compacted here so it was much easier to walk on
Climbing out onto the summit I was greeted by views!! And wind blowing snow at me….but yay, views
Ben Lomond
The Cobbler & pals
The Rest & Be Thankful with Beinn an Lochain behind
Blue skies and sun
The Brack summit
Moving on, I continued down the ridge, going in the right direction this time (the previous visit had been clagged in and I’d wandered off in the wrong direction without thinking
)
Looking back to the trig – some viewpoint
Bits of snow to walk on
Beinn an Lochain
It was a glorious afternoon; the Cobbler looked very different to the week before where it was coated in snow!
Came down the side of this big boy!
It was a long descent from The Brack – Cnoc Coinnich my next target looked miles away!
These hills looked amazing; pretty sure this is Ben Bheula
After wading through a lot of bog and very squishy snow I was finally at the bealach; I wandered along the Cowal Way before breaking off up towards the ridge.
Looking back to The Brack
Cnoc Coinnich
I’m not sure what this hill is but it looks ace!
I met a guy on my way onto the ridge and we chatted awhile before continuing in our opposite directions. Once on the ridge the view opened out again. It was turning into a lovely evening
Beinn Ime & Beinn Luibhean
Cowal hills
Navigation was easy and before long I was on the summit enjoying views of Ben Lomond….
The Brack with the Cobbler behind
Down Loch Long and the Firth of Clyde
A bird struggling in the wind above the summit
Me on the summit of Cnoc Coinnich
I reckoned I’d found a new route down, so I retraced my steps off the summit
The Brack
Luss Grahams
I headed down snowy slopes which made the descent wonderfully easy. And looking back up looked pretty cool
The Brack
Eventually the snow ran out, I crossed a burn and then ended up in a bog
Looking back up
Heading back towards the Cowal Way the ground underfoot got ridiculously wet – clearly these hills are always boggy
Once back on the good path I dropped height quickly….
I’d forgotten how long the walk out on the track was….crossing this river I still had miles to go…
Finally reaching the shores of Loch Long; it was a stunning evening
Finally back at the car, it was a case of a simple drive home but as I had to stop off in Helensburgh to pick up my Cello it seemed a good idea to take the coast road and it was worth it for a wee photo
Thank goodness for Hill Therapy
