Ben Lui again

[Walkinmyfootsteps]

Early start for these two having done Stob Binnien and Ben More yesterday so slept in the van near Dalmally getting to the car park off the A85 at 0630. Busy already due to the amount of camper vans and people camping out next to the river.
Fjorded the river by removing my boots and socks but slippy underfoot. If I ever do them again I will take an old pair of trainers with me and hide them in a bush after crossing with them on then get changed into my boots. Followed the track up in a beautiful morning. Path up next to the burn is as boggy as ever and it pays you to divert off to the left and stick to forest u til you reach 500m altitude and then go through the deer gate. Slogged up Ben Lui not enjoying it as the endeavours of yesterday were still felt and a particularly sleepless night not helping either. At around 900m lost the path altogether so moved over to the north ridge edge and followed a decent path up from that point to the summit. Selfies taken, views admired and then the big rocky drop down to the beleach. The press back up to the summit of Beinn a’ Chleibe is really easy from here and takes no time at all. The way back to the beleach again is quick watching out for the cairn which shows the path down to the deer gate again. Easy stroll back down and back at the van within 5 hours. One little note of event. - a young Welsh lass at the river was struggling to find a point to cross. Offered her my boots when I crossed telling her that I would be getting them wet anyway as I had finished my walk. That way she could keep her boots dry and not slip getting across. All went well until the throwing the boots back over! First throw missed the far bank and landed a lot nearer to the throwing bank. Cue the boot getting picked up by the current and carried down stream. Dog ordered to fetch which she did to be fair but then lost interest and dropped it again for it to be carried away. Ran down the grassy bank keeping it in view as best I could before it disappeared from view. Came back and retrieved my other boot, wished my fellow walker well and implored her to carry on with her walk as she was starting relatively late. Jogged down the bank now with one boot on to hopefully get ahead of the boot but didn’t see it. Given that’s it’s brown didn’t help indentification against the brown rocks poking out the water. Gave up and crossed the river again to the far bank with the hope of maybe seeing it from that side. No joy but then I noticed Skye in the water again biting at my lost boot! Straight in and recovered it. All’s well that ends well! Hope my wee Welsh friend enjoyed her day and made the top safely!