Both Iain and I had another free day for a walk and decided to head for something a bit closer that would give us both a new hill to climb and a repeat of a hill we had already climbed before.
I had been up Beinn Each a few years back but never made it to Stuc a' Chroin, leaving it left to do inbetween Beinn Each and Ben Vorlich. Iain had done both Munros but not the Corbett so we settled on a Corbett ascent and the ridge walk along to Stuc a' Chroin, something I had wanted to do the last time I was here.
We set off fairly early and enjoyed a cracking breakfast in Callander before parking at Loch Lubnaig and setting off up the now improved path up into Glen Ample:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (1) by Chris Mac, on FlickrLooking back to Ben Ledi:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (2) by Chris Mac, on FlickrWe had chosen well and it was already looking like being a very nice day as our ascent up Beinn Each presented itself:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (3) by Chris Mac, on FlickrIain was enjoying the route so far as we looked down Glen Ample towards Sgiath a' Chaise, Loch Earn and Meall nan Tarmachan:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (5) by Chris Mac, on Flickr
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (6) by Chris Mac, on FlickrBigger hills coming into view now as we continue ascending up the good path:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (9) by Chris Mac, on FlickrMeall Buidhe in front of the Loch Tay Munros:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (13) by Chris Mac, on FlickrIt was turning out to be a nice day:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (17) by djchrismac, on FlickrThe Glen of Plenty, Glen Ample down below us and our return route, with Meall Ghaordaidh, Meall nan Tarmachan and the Lawers group in the background.
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (18) by djchrismac, on FlickrWorth a zoom:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (19) by djchrismac, on FlickrNow at the bit where the summit is in view and the final ascent is in front of you. Not only that but we also get a good preview of our route along the rocky ridge en route to Stuc a' Chroin:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (20) by djchrismac, on FlickrBeinn Each North Top in the centre with Beinn Each Far North Top not very visible behind, both in front of the taller Stuc a' Chroin West Top:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (21) by djchrismac, on FlickrIain enjoying a water break and the view:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (24) by djchrismac, on FlickrView south to the Campsies:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (25) by djchrismac, on FlickrA quick look west the around to the north - Ben Venue and Ben Lomond:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (27) by djchrismac, on FlickrBenvane, Arrochar hills and Stob a' Choin:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (28) by djchrismac, on FlickrCrianlarich and Tyndrum hills:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (29) by djchrismac, on FlickrNorth and slightly west to the Glen Lochay hills with Meall an t-Seallaidh and Creag Mac Rannaich in front :
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (31) by djchrismac, on FlickrMeall Ghaordaidh, you owe me a view:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (32) by djchrismac, on FlickrIt's just a short pull up to the summit behind the pointy rocky outcrop that looks like it should be the summit:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (26) by djchrismac, on FlickrSomeone already approaching the summit:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (34) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe arrived to find an elderly gent about to tuck into his sandwich, said hi then sat down to give him peace and take some photos.
Our route ahead:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (36) by djchrismac, on FlickrSouth east to the Ochils, Dumyat and the Firth of Forth with the Pentlands in the background:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (56) by djchrismac, on FlickrSouth west to Dumgoyne and Glasgow:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (61) by djchrismac, on FlickrIt only took us just over an hour to summit Beinn Each and with a long way to walk still we decided lunch would be best saved for the big hill in front of us so set off down the north side of the summit on the good path which zig-zags you carefully down through the crags:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (63) by djchrismac, on FlickrBeinn Each north face, care required:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (64) by djchrismac, on FlickrAlthough not marked on the OS map there is a good path that will take us all the way to Stuc a' Chroin:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (66) by djchrismac, on FlickrFacing the rock wall of Beinn Each North Top:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (68) by djchrismac, on FlickrThere is a path up this breach in the defence:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (69) by djchrismac, on FlickrIt's a decent gradient but poses no problems:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (71) by djchrismac, on FlickrNorth Top summit, or is it that rock over there? We end up walking over all possible summits:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (75) by djchrismac, on FlickrThere are some impressive rocks and crags on the way along:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (78) by djchrismac, on Flickr
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (79) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe head over the far north top on the way to Stuc a' Chroin West Top and look back - in shot is Beinn Each, below right of that is the North Top with the Far North Top below right of it. It doesn't even make Tump status which is why it is barely noticeable:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (83) by djchrismac, on FlickrTwo targets left now that Beinn Each is done, starting with the west top of Stuc a' Chroin:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (84) by djchrismac, on FlickrArivurichardrich where a friend is at this exact moment with some scouts. I take this photo then send it to him and say we're spying on them!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (88) by Chris Mac, on FlickrLooking down Gleann a' Chroin:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (89) by djchrismac, on FlickrAt the summit we stop for a snack and drink as I survey the way ahead:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (90) by djchrismac, on FlickrSomeone is following us as we bask in sunshine and enjoy a break while preparing for the final ascent up the Munro:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (92) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe chat to the guy and he's come all the way up Gleann a' Chroin from Callander up to Beinn Each then Stuc a' Chroin before his return to Callander down the Munro's south east ridge back to the start!
We thought we were doing a decent day of walking but his route was much more impressive!
After a brief chat he then moved on ahead of us as we finished sunbathing and snoozing.Just this big lump to get up now and it looks even more energy sapping from further down:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (94) by djchrismac, on FlickrWhen we were on the West Top the Callander walker mentioned the crag on one side, seen here as we look back at the route travelled so far:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (95) by djchrismac, on FlickrAnother summit you don't want to just blindly wander off in bad visibility!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (96) by djchrismac, on FlickrBreak time for the other guy who we would pass on the way up. I'll not lie though, I found this part pretty heavy going on the legs but we were both a bit out of practice:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (97) by djchrismac, on FlickrLooking back down from half way up, impressive surroundings:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (98) by djchrismac, on FlickrAnother shot looking back to Beinn Each and it's two northern tops:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (99) by djchrismac, on FlickrFinally over the worst of it and onto a flatter section before the final pull up to the summit:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (102) by djchrismac, on FlickrStill being followed:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (104) by djchrismac, on FlickrNow the final ascent:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (106) by djchrismac, on FlickrI mean final final ascent!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (107) by djchrismac, on FlickrLooking down to Lochan a' Chroin:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (109) by djchrismac, on Flickr
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (110) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe reach the western summit cairn, say hello to a couple then make the final walk to the actual summit with Ben Vorlich now in view as Iain tells us how big the fish he caught was again:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (112) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe made it, time for a well earned break and Iain remembered the coffee this time!
He's caught up at last:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (114) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe all settle down to have lunch and coffee:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (118) by djchrismac, on FlickrThe hill is fairly busy and we are soon joined by another new friend, Zak:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (119) by djchrismac, on FlickrHe was of course only interested in our food and after receiving a few snacks and scratches he then spotted his next target, two girls who had just arrived on the summit:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (120) by djchrismac, on FlickrSuccess for Zak!
He's a greedy boy:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (121) by djchrismac, on FlickrMore and more people kept arriving and leaving, quite a popular Munro this one!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (122) by djchrismac, on FlickrThe prow and route over to Ben Vorlich:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (124) by djchrismac, on FlickrBig Balquhidder hills:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (128) by djchrismac, on FlickrIain and I have a good view of our descent route off Meall an t-Seallaidh when we were chased by lightning last year and it only took us 30 minutes to descend 532m over 2.5km!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (129) by djchrismac, on FlickrBen Vorlich:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (132) by djchrismac, on FlickrThe view east over the Forest of Glenartney hills:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (133) by djchrismac, on FlickrDistand wee Lomonds and Ochils
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (135) by djchrismac, on FlickrLooking south east to Stirling, Edinburgh and the Forth:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (136) by djchrismac, on FlickrIain sunbathing again!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (141) by djchrismac, on FlickrLooking west from ben Lomond to Ben More and there are still people coming and going:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (142) by djchrismac, on FlickrConscious of the sun getting lower in the sky, we decide we should probably get moving as we still have a fair hike to go before reaching the car:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (145) by djchrismac, on FlickrIain sunbathing again!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (146) by djchrismac, on FlickrWrong summit mate!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (147) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe start following the path to the prow then will veer left and head down the steep looking hillside seen here:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (149) by djchrismac, on Flickr
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (150) by djchrismac, on FlickrThis path will run out soon:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (152) by djchrismac, on FlickrStuc a' Chroin's prow looks impressive close up:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (154) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe had flirted with the idea of heading down the path just to do the scramble up again but decided against it, no point pushing ourselves too much:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (155) by djchrismac, on FlickrBen Vorlich, my 10th Munro and a lovely mountain:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (156) by djchrismac, on FlickrProw on left and summit on right, Stuc a' Chroin is one big and bulky hill:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (157) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe've come a long way so far:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (158) by djchrismac, on FlickrYou may recall the pic a few before this, showing an easier way down into Coire Chroisg, which we definitely should have taken, except the path and prow distraction led us to remain on top for longer to leave us with a much steeper and rougher descent down just north of there. We definitely recommend heading down hill before this point!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (159) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe've come a long way so far:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (160) by djchrismac, on FlickrThe evening light was getting better and better as we made our way down and the view from here was well worth the detour:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (161) by djchrismac, on FlickrLoch Tay mountains:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (162) by djchrismac, on FlickrAnother dip and down towards and even steeper dip:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (163) by djchrismac, on FlickrLooking left and behind us you can see the terrain is pretty rough so care is definitely required if going off-piste here. Coire Chroisg is :
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (165) by djchrismac, on FlickrOur route down:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (166) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe set off down the steep slopes and end up navigating our own routes:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (167) by djchrismac, on FlickrSorry Iain, it doesn't look like this descent is getting any easier!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (168) by djchrismac, on FlickrAfter a bit of cursing we eventually reached the bottom and made our way to the large fence which was easily crossed, once you spotted some lurking danger first that is!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (169) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe had a fair few ferns and bracken to get through as we stuck to the edge of the forest, which was too think to go in to:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (170) by djchrismac, on FlickrA path of sorts was soon being followed that took us down to the Glen Ample track, at last:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (171) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe keep doing this Iain, getting off the hills then having a long walk back!
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (172) by djchrismac, on FlickrGlen Ample was an enjoyable stroll to finish with though and with both of us in trail shoes instead of boots it was good to get on a good track again:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (173) by djchrismac, on FlickrWaterfall with Sgiath a' Chaise behind:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (174) by djchrismac, on FlickrBeinn Each, even more enjoyable if you add in the ridge:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (175) by djchrismac, on FlickrThe race against shadows continues:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (176) by djchrismac, on FlickrA final look back at Ben Lawers and co.:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (177) by djchrismac, on FlickrBen Ledi:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (178) by djchrismac, on FlickrWe took a few final photos coming through the woods at the end:
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (179) by djchrismac, on Flickr
Beinn Each-Stuc a' Chroin (180) by djchrismac, on FlickrIt took us just over an hour to walk the 5.5km or so back to the car after reaching the Glen Ample path, making it a 6 and a half hour walk to cover 16.5km, most of it on good paths and tracks apart from our daring steep descent which neither of us fancy repeating.
It felt great to be out again and we got a smashing day for it which was a bonus, as well as meeting lots of nice fellow walkers and greedy dogs.
We both got a new hill to climb, another to revisit and the ridge walk along between both hills was very enjoyable with the view from both well worth the effort on a clear day. If you can handle the steep descent or find an easier descent route then doing a loop like this is recommended. We like our long walks, but we doubt we will ever do this walk from Callander and back, hats off to that man!
. Great photos too.
