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Beinn an Lochain

Beinn an Lochain


Postby gman » Fri Jan 13, 2012 12:04 am

Route description: Beinn an Lochain

Corbetts included on this walk: Beinn an Lochain

Date walked: 12/01/2012

Time taken: 4.5 hours

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First hill of the year, just getting over a cold so wanted something easyish. This one's a cracker.

Layby is about 7 miles after Arrochar, after Loch Restil it's just round a right hander so careful or you'll miss it. Then down to the stream, path leads to stepping stones but water was high so I walked left a bit for the wee island.
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0001.jpg

Beinn an Lochain from the layby:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0002.jpg

Then short walk over boggy ground, clear path leads to ridge just before crags start:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0003.jpg

And that's the boring bit over, there's a lot of varied terrain on the ridge to maintain interest:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0010.jpg

View back along Glen Kinglas:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0016.jpg

Next challenge, path follows grass left to right here.
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0018.jpg

View over to Ime & Cobbler:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0020.jpg

Looking back down path:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0021.jpg

After hearing about guy rescued from Ben Ledi I was overloaded with gear I wouldn't need - crampons & ice axe. But path was snowed over here so they came in handy. Snow was deep & steep and had an icy crust so was tricky to kick steps, but no problems with crampons. Alternate route up steep grass on the left, decided to go that way on return but might as well use crampons since I brought them.
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0022.jpg

Next section leading to summit, more snow here & getting cloudy.
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0025.jpg

Quite a bit of snow here, decided to veer off path & get a bit of crampon practise. Bit time consuming putting them on & taking them off, worst bit is squeezing them inside crampon bag.
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0030.jpg

View down the snow, if you fall you'll just whizz off the end & land gracefully in Loch so no worries.
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0033.jpg

Cairn:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0035.jpg

South Summit:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0037.jpg

Weather suddenly changed at the summit, couple of flecks of snow then wind got up and got a snow/hail mixture. Time to go back, on the path this time to avoid snow. Path was snowed over though so had to get crampons on again:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0041.jpg

Snow off again:
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0042.jpg

Rest of path down was ok, there was always a scrambly bit or something different so it didn't seem to take too long.
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0045.jpg

Decided to go down steep grass rather than get crampons on again for snow section, was flattened long grass with water running so snow was acually easier.
beinn an lochain_12Jan2012_0048.jpg

After this it was back down to the end of the ridge then a very short walk to the car, unlike eg Cobbler where there's a long walk in/out. Great hill, but winter conditions definitely changeable even with sunny forecast.
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby ChrisW » Fri Jan 13, 2012 2:38 am

Loved this report Gman, some great photos to go with it too :D....... "View down the snow, if you fall you'll just whizz off the end & land gracefully in Loch so no worries" ......not so sure about this bit though :lol: :lol:
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby Fudgie » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:19 am

ChrisW wrote:Loved this report Gman, some great photos to go with it too :D....... "View down the snow, if you fall you'll just whizz off the end & land gracefully in Loch so no worries" ......not so sure about this bit though :lol: :lol:


It would certainly make the descent a bit quicker :D
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby quoman » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:38 am

Hi gman
crackin report an some excellent pic's 0033jpg is fantastic get the ice axe ready am away :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby gman » Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:01 pm

Aeronautical descents attempted at your own risk! :D Finally figured out how to pack crampons in under 10mins without severed artery.
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby Jock McJock » Fri Jan 13, 2012 4:49 pm

One of my favourite hills. Been up there twice now. Great hill with a wee bit of everything. some cracking pics there too :D
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby yokehead » Fri Jan 13, 2012 9:33 pm

Lovely stuff. Thanks for the photos, now I can see what I didn't see when in the clag a few weeks ago, if that makes sense! :)
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby Johnny Corbett » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:20 pm

I was up this on hogmany and i see the snow is still lying on the exact same spots. Great walk this one :D
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby EmmaTowle » Fri Jan 13, 2012 10:37 pm

Looks like a nice wee hill does that. Must add it to my to do list :)
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby mrssanta » Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:17 pm

gman wrote:Aeronautical descents attempted at your own risk! :D Finally figured out how to pack crampons in under 10mins without severed artery.

please do share!! :D :D
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby rockhopper » Fri Jan 13, 2012 11:37 pm

Lovely - had hoped to be up this hill last weekend when up on Beinn Luibhean but the wind put paid to that - somewhat jealous of your conditions as I now have a cold & cough and am going nowhere soon (where're the violins) - cheers :D
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby MarilynMunro » Sat Jan 14, 2012 12:20 am

Remember seeing these beauties when driving upto Inveraray recently, will have try and get up there soon, if the weather stays mild. Great photos, looked like you had a great day.
Thanks for the heads up.
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Re: Beinn an Lochain

Postby maryhillmoose » Fri Jan 20, 2012 12:04 pm

one of my favourites from last year - lovely pics!
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