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Been out of action for a couple of weeks with lung custard, so decided to head up & do the Cobbler again for a bit of exercise. Plus I bottled out of doing the needle the last time I was up so I haven't really bagged it
And while I was ill I got on the internet & bought a pair of sportiva raptors so it's my first bootless hills.
Got to car park about 8am and the midges were out in force. Decided to do Narnain too so headed straight up. Back to Arrochar:
Wet grass & water running down the hill meant my feet were getting wet in the non-waterproof shoes, but no real probs. Into the clag at the top.
Cairn.
Wanted to take the path up the east side of the Cobbler so veered off the path descending Narnain. This could be dodgy as there are crags.
Joined the normal path for a while then took a short cut up the Cobbler.
On the path now.
Soon at the top, turned left & up to the needle. Another walker had done it years ago but couldn't remember which way to go. I'm an expert cos I watched a youtube video last night
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Through the hole and onto the ledge, which is wider that I expected. Also heard it slopes outward but it's a gentle gradient.
Couple of boulders at the back to scramble onto then up on top.
Narnain free of clag now.
I thought it was slightly trickier getting back down but there were 2 of us so would be easier on your own
The eye of the needle.
Wandered over to the other summit, view back to the needle:
Then decided to climb Ime as well, down the other side of the Cobbler to the bealach:
Boggy path up Ime so wet feet again, sun came out higher up - a'Chrois & Loch Arklet:
Narnain from the top:
Then back down to the bealach, jumped over a muddy patch at the bottom & broke through the earth to a buried stream so got covered in mud - pleasantly cooling
And back on the path, getting really busy now. Realised that with boots on you don't notice stuff like stubbing your toes on the path, bit more painful with trainers. Definitely cover distance faster though. Last look at the Cobbler:
