Beinn Ime..but only just

[Bruadair]

Again I was joined on my walk by my son Craig (he still hasn't had a haircut) and when we left the house this morning we were heading for SE hills, but whilst driving up M73 heard forcast for extremely high winds out on east side, so desided to turn and to West. Have you ever tried to head back towards Glasgow after diverting off A80 at current roadworks, what a nightmare....we ended up in the Motorway contractors compound.

Once we eventually found the way back onto the M80 towards Glasgow and M8 we headed across Erskine Bridge and up A82 towards Arrochar Alps and Beinn Ime. Arrived in car park at Succoth (NN295048) at approx 8.45am and got kitted up for the days walk......by the way the parking meter seems to have gone from carpark, and there is a for sale sign in situe.

After setting off up ZZ track to bench at (NN289046) it was desided that we would miss out the next set of ZZ's and continue along track past radio mast to woodland track at (NN284043) for our route of assent.

Looking down woodland track that runs from NN284043

Woodland track with Ben Lomond in distance

Upstream view of burn that ruins parallel to track

Downstream view

Craig trying to fathom how his camera works...there was a nice wee summer bathing pool at this spot

After a bit of a wet / boggy assent through woods, we emerged at approx (NN284044) and continued up fire break towards dam at (NN279050) where we forded Allt a' Bhalachain a little further up stream and rejoined main track past Narnain boulders.

1st view of Narnain as we exited woodland track

The mysterious Ben Arthur

East side of The Cobbler viewed from Coire a' Bhalachain track

Eventually Beinn Ime (or a portion of) came into view

1st real view of Beinn Ime

Just about where tracks split for Cobbler / Narnain & Ime (NN262065) it started to snow lightly and as we trudged up Ime it really started to snow

It's snowing Craig...taken from 700m (NN259073) with Narnain & Cobbler fading behind

and by the time we reached 750m height the snow completly hid Narnain & Cobbler from view. We continued onwards and upwards and eventually took shelter at rocks at 850m height (NN258079) in order to get out of the driving snow to take some sustenance.

At 850m NN258079 as we sheltered behind rock face

Still at 850m

The snow relented some what only to be replaced by major spindrift and visibility was down to a few metres and so continued upwards until we reached lower summit cairn by which time with spindrift and cloud we could only see down approx two metres and couldn't see correct summit after a bit of head scratching on which way to go, the wind subsided as did the spindrift and way forward was visible, so we set off again in direction of summit.

Craig at Summit Cairn

East(ish) taken from summit cairn

After the summit photo's, it was down asap to somewhere we could enjoy a hot cuppa......the desent included yours truely having a major two foot slip, which knocked the wind out of me, and a couple of intentional good bum slides and soon we were back at the
Bealach a' Mhaim

Ben Vane ?? from Bealach a' Mhaim on desent

where we continued further down track to enjoy our tea sheltered by Narnain boulders....well I enjoyed some of Craig's tea because I broke my flask (must have been when I slipped) thereafter it was down remainder of track inclusive of ZZ's and back to the car and home.
My first real winter walk I would say.....intense at times but extremely enjoyable.

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[Merry-walker]

Wow, all that snow

Great pictures

[fingeez]

nice report and pics

Maybe shoould have gone east like you first planned. I was up Glenshee way today and although there was a fair bit of wind, it wasnt too bad, but cloud was high up and good few spots of blue sky and bright sunshine :)

Ross

[ChrisW]

The two footed flask breaker could have broken something worse great pics and report - thanks for posting

[Bruadair]

Wow, all that snow

Great pictures

Thanks MW.

Reagrds.................B

[Bruadair]

nice report and pics

Maybe shoould have gone east like you first planned. I was up Glenshee way today and although there was a fair bit of wind, it wasnt too bad, but cloud was high up and good few spots of blue sky and bright sunshine :)

Ross

Cheers Ross,

To be honest a few times I called off walking because of such weather and then wondered what if afterwards, so I'm quite glad I went West and was able to tick that box.

Regards.................B

[Bruadair]

The two footed flask breaker could have broken something worse great pics and report - thanks for posting

Thanks for your comments CW................. I should have put a bar of toffee in my back pocket as I don't think the flask breaker thing will catch on.

Regards..............B

[gammy leg walker]

Good work getting to the top in that white out.

[Bruadair]

Good work getting to the top in that white out.

Thanks Gammy...... I see you & Stretch had a bit of a fun day yesterday.....the vid had me in stitches.

Regards...............B

[pruney84]

Good report Bruadair, some great photo's too, looked pretty wild when it was snowing!!!

I look forward to doing the rest of the Arrochar Alps sometime soon!