Ben Challum - Not As Wet As I Expected!

[Gordie12]

It feels like every time my journey to a hill involves driving on the A85 it guarantees me a clag bound day, the only exception to this rule in the last couple of years was Ben Vane. So last night I watched and listened to the various weather reports and changed my plans from a Corbett in the Cairngorms to a drive along the A85 to near Tyndrum as things looked promising.

I was parked up and walking by 8am, flat calm and overcast but no midgies

The first part of the walk to Kirkton Farm is familiar ground from the West Highland Way 2 years ago, the only difference this time was that whilst dull and overcast it wasn't absolutely heaving it down with torrential rain (my memories of the WHW are not good).

After the farm I left the WHW and took the grassy track which passes the cemetery (with the two fir trees in the middle of it) and heads on uphill to cross the railway line.

Looking towards Kirkton Farm

River Fillan

Kirkton Farm

The view back

Railway lines are like pules of logs - I have to get the camera out

Snap

I was watching for my right turn after the railway line, I probably followed the track for about 50 yards before looking over to the deer fence at the edge of the woods I think the WH report suggests heading over to. I started to walk in the direction of the fence but after only a few yards I saw a very feint grassy path heading more or less straight up the hill and decided to follow this path instead.

It's one of those paths you follow, then lose, then find again but in general it was fairly easy walking - not too steep and not really that wet.

Looking back

Short back and sides

Heading up

And up

Looking back again

Clag Alert

Eventually I reached a fence and after crossing it I knew I was back on the main track as it was far more eroded so it was a sharp left and time to follow the fence.

The climb up to the 997m point on the map seemed to be quite steep and it was back in to the A85 clag, the wind had picked up and it was surprisingly cold.

After the 997m point the feel of the hill changes completely from a wide open easy grassy ascent to a far narrower ridge with the cloud swirling round. It didn't take long to reach the top and I was surprised to see someone already at the cairn.

Narrower ridge

Summit

I was chatting to the guy at the summit but it was fairly cool so decided just to do a quick turnaround and head back down. It's August, but I confess I put some thin gloves on for part of the walk down - what a woose! I had company for the return walk as we were both leaving at the same time anyway.

Signs that the cloud could be breaking

Once down at the point where I joined the main route we decided to take my path down and it was an easy descent on a grassy track, not too steep or wet so for a change I was able to stay upright.

Surrounding hills finally come in to view

A lot brighter now back at the railway line

Still a few spaces available

Back on the West Highland Way there are a few more people about and back at the car the layby was now full.

From some of the reports I have read on this hill I wondered if I needed to take a snorkel with me but this really was OK. Maybe the normal route up Ben Challum is wet and muddy (the bits I saw looked pretty eroded) and I just got lucky spotting the grassy path but this was an awful lot better than expected.

Maybe one of these days I'll get a view from a hill top.

[rockhopper]

it's a nice walk and a central position for the view higher up - good to see you didn't find it too boggy - good one for winter as well especially if the bogs are frozen over - cheers

[Gordie12]

it's a nice walk and a central position for the view higher up - good to see you didn't find it too boggy - good one for winter as well especially if the bogs are frozen over - cheers

Hi RH - the sun broke out for a second on the summit but as soon as it appeared it was gone again and replaced by clag so I only caught a very very quick glimpse of the views.

[jamesb63]

it's a nice walk and a central position for the view higher up - good to see you didn't find it too boggy - good one for winter as well especially if the bogs are frozen over - cheers

This is one I am saving for a winters walk hopefully with some snow

[Chris Mac]

Nice report and pics Gordie, a shame you never got much of a view!

This is one I am saving for a winters walk hopefully with some snow

That sounds good as the surrounding hills would look great with their winter coat on and you would avoid the bog problems. A final descent down the first section on a sledge would be a great finale... until you reach the railway!

[Rufus Smalls]

Nice report - it's a hill I hope to do soon...

Doesn't look like you're having much luck with the views

[Gordie12]

Nice report - it's a hill I hope to do soon...

Doesn't look like you're having much luck with the views

It's not been a good spell Rufus but yesterday in Glencoe made up for all the clag bound days this year!!