An Caisteal and Beinn a'Chroin

[nathan79]

9.7.2013 An Caisteal and Beinn a Chroin.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Tuesday off as ever, chance of cloud free tops so high MWIS didn't even bother giving it a percentage. Joining the WH gang on the Ring of Steall was briefly pondered and quickly dismissed due to fitness and temperature concerns and I settled on Some Crianlarich action.

Out of the house before 7, l trouble-free drive to Loch Earn where I sat down and had a coffee and my usual hill breakfast of a peanut butter, jam and banana sandwich. Basked in the sunshine here for a longer than I should have(I had intended to be as early as I could to beat the heat). Definitely made the right choice going for shorts.

Loch Earn breakfast pano

I would say I was parked up at the lay by behind schedule, but I had no schedule! The sun was shining and the days are long so what was the rush?

Booted and rucksacked at 10am, over the fence and headed for the passage under. 2 other cars to be seen and one other walker making his way on foot from Crianlarich.

View from the start

Quickly over the field, under the railway an across the river Falloch. Dragonflies and Damselflies abound. If only I'd been earlier they'd have been less active and far easier to snap.

Please please please just stay still long enough to let me get your pic

My first golden ring picture. My joy was short-lived however when I felt a pinch on my arm. I looked down to see a big fly eyeballing me. Oh no , this must be one of those dreaded horseflies.

Camera bagged, I powered on, arms flailing like some sort of whirling dervish. Then I remembered I had my trusty can of Smidge in my rucksack. Seems to do the trick with them as it does with midgies, i.e. they still come at you but they won't settle or bite.

Feeling suitably protected I pressed on, up the track and then off up the green green grass for the long hot yomp up to Sron Gharbh. I could see a couple of figures making their way down, either they'd camped last night or were up and off at a ridiculously early time. As expected the heat was relentless and I was glad to have 2.5L of fluid with me, I'd definitely need it.

Reached the top of Sron Gharbh and was glad to sit down for a bite and gulp down some water. The other walker I'd seen earlier joined me, we both lamented the heat, but really we couldn't complain.

the Ben More pair, the Cruach Ardrain pair, the An Caisteal pair and Beinn Chabhair sneaking in at the right.

I left my brunch companion and continued on and up towards summit number 1.
Approaching An Caisteal, I liked the look of the rocky stuff that awaited me.

approaching An Caisteall summit

Over the path and towards Ben More

Rocky stuff and a mini scramble out of the way it was summit number 1 with great views.

bliss

Basking in the sunshine and savouring the views I spent almost 2 hours on summit number 1. As I said, I was on no schedule and out to have fun.

posing in the sunshine

Larking about

The ravens were fearless and getting rather close. Happier than the dragonflies to pose for pics.

Summit company

Check them new laces

Loch Katrine, Ben Lomond, Loch Long. Loch Lomond hiding down low.

Eventually I decided it was time to press on. I'd had thoughts of adding in Beinn Chabhair to this round but as close and inviting as it looked, I knew it'd be an unenjoyable toil so I elected to leave it for another day.

Beinn Chabhair

It was past 4pm by now so I pressed on for Beinn a'Chroin. A steep but not unpleasant ascent through the crags before I was up high again. Still pausing regularly to savour the views, I was casting a shadow on summit number two by 5:30.

Beinn a'Chroin summit

Two summits done, all that was left was the descent and plod to the car. Quickly lost altitude and got back to ground level. A disappointingly boggy, but not too boggy slog back to the landrover track. Ran out of water on this stretch and was glad to get back to the good track I could power along back to the car (and my stash of water in the boot).

Back to the car at 8pm. A long lovely day with great views, some great wildlife, fun wee scrambles and one of my favourite days out.

Roll on this Tuesday. I'll take the same weather again anytime.

[jonny616]

Very nice

[Second chance]

Great report - hope to do this trip soon - its on the List.
Seems like a long haul though - 10 Hours ?
Regards
Second Chance

[Bay Bloke]

Looks like you had a great day!! I did the same the Saturday after you and the weather wasn't quite as good - clouds round summits didn't clear until reached Beinn a'Chroin (although the lack of sun did make the day a bit easier )

Great report - hope to do this trip soon - its on the List.
Seems like a long haul though - 10 Hours ?
Regards
Second Chance

2nd Chance - I did it in 7 hours at a fairly easy pace, I see that Nathan had a 2 hour break at An Caisteal, if its another scorcher then thats the way to go