Lochearnhead Corbett, but should have been two!

[The Rodmiester]

Forecast low cloud, fog and rain for most of the weekend so having done nothing on the Friday decided to try both these Corbetts if the weather Gods allowed.We were staying at the Ochil's Bunkhouse in Crainlarich so a fairly early start was had with only a short drive to Lochearnhead required.

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The main Lochearnhead car park where there are also toilets and solar panel litter bins, well that's a new one, hope they are well used. We were greeted by a local who was wanting some breakfast

I had a written copy of Mountain Thyme's excellent walk report in my pocket as quite a few trip reports had suggested finding the start and following the many paths at the West end of the loch was somewhat confusing, with some bridges to go over and some below. Pictute shows us heading West along the main road out of Lochearnhead

After turning left at the A85 and walking past the local paper shop not the friendliest we turned right up past the church

Reaching the cycleway we double backed at this sign and took the Killin Kenmore direction under the bridge and followed the route climbing steadily on a good surface

Climbing steadily up with views over the Loch to our right, after some zig zags and with the path getting steeper we turned off the path to take the old railway track on our left

Old railway track now a fine level walk past a couple of gates

The railway bridge you do not go under but take the wooden gate on your left and go up over the bridge to reach the good track going up Glen Kendrum

Heading off up the Glen with the glag well down

Burn crossing which would usually be a piece of cake but with the snow melt over the past couple of days was slightly tricky

Pondering how to tackle the crossing

First sign of Creag Mac Ra'naich in the distance

Now to find away past the crags. It would all have been so different if you could see the route in front of you, so it was onwards and upwards trying to find the grassy sections, with the gradient getting steeper and steeper

Passing some fairly large boulders

Further up and now in the snow

Not far and after passing the Southern cairn finding a trace of a path to the Northern cairn the summit at 809m

Group photo at summit, no views what so ever, getting windy and cold with the detection of rain in the offing

After getting back to the bealach a lightly different route being taken as the steepness of the climb up was maybe not something that should have been attempted on the return, it was time to decide whether it was worth doing the other Corbett with little or no chance of the weather improving. It was decided just to head on back down the glen track and stop off for a bite to eat and return another day for Meall an t-Seallaidh. On the way done saw this burn in full flow

Now for the river crossing again where we found it much easier tackling it from this side

More than one way to cross a river

Maybe we all needed a pair of these for the river crossings, over the boot wellies, or maybe just black bin bags, but these did have some grip and already made ties at the top, think about it!

[Petr Dakota]

Useful and well documented report Rod, nicely described route with all the details, supported by the right pics
Looks like nice walk in a better - drier day...pity the clag was there and made you the decision to do only one of the two but at least you can go there again in clear day as good as you got back earlier for some food - refreshment
I guess crossing the burns will be a challenge in next a few weeks / months when the snow will be melting everywhere

[basscadet]

Aye, the climb up from the track is ridiculously steep. Well done for carrying on to the top on such a day..
I wonder what the bog over to the other one was like - probably luckily avoided if you ask me..

[The Rodmiester]

Useful and well documented report Rod, nicely described route with all the details, supported by the right pics
Looks like nice walk in a better - drier day...pity the clag was there and made you the decision to do only one of the two but at least you can go there again in clear day as good as you got back earlier for some food - refreshment
I guess crossing the burns will be a challenge in next a few weeks / months when the snow will be melting everywhere

Hi Petr, at least I'll know the start next time, pick a good day as I think the views should be pretty good. The food and refreshment went down very well, a cracking wee bunkhouse for £9.00 a night, cannot be bad.

[The Rodmiester]

Aye, the climb up from the track is ridiculously steep. Well done for carrying on to the top on such a day..
I wonder what the bog over to the other one was like - probably luckily avoided if you ask me..

Your spot on basscadet checking the contours on the other one it did not take long to reach a decision, as it was going to be over some rough looking stuff and a return to the bealach as I don't think coming off the South East shoulder would have been on as we would not have been able to cross the river further down.

[Jeremiah Johnson]

Good report Rod and cracking photos! I imagine soon the Pocket Wellies will be at the bottom of every walkers rucksack - an essential piece of kit!!

[The Rodmiester]

Good report Rod and cracking photos! I imagine soon the Pocket Wellies will be at the bottom of every walkers rucksack - an essential piece of kit!!

I believe the Green Welly place may have sold out by now

[basscadet]

Your spot on basscadet checking the contours on the other one it did not take long to reach a decision, as it was going to be over some rough looking stuff and a return to the bealach as I don't think coming off the South East shoulder would have been on as we would not have been able to cross the river further down.

You were very very right.. I went up that way - and regretted it somewhat, not because of the river, but terrain was knee deep moss that sapped the soul

[The Rodmiester]

Your spot on basscadet checking the contours on the other one it did not take long to reach a decision, as it was going to be over some rough looking stuff and a return to the bealach as I don't think coming off the South East shoulder would have been on as we would not have been able to cross the river further down.

You were very very right.. I went up that way - and regretted it somewhat, not because of the river, but terrain was knee deep moss that sapped the soul

Thanks for that basscadet that makes me feel a whole lot better that the right decision was made

[Gordie12]

Nice timing Rod, I'm thinking about these two for my 2016 debut. Might just wait till there is less snow melt and a decent dry spell.

[The Rodmiester]

Nice timing Rod, I'm thinking about these two for my 2016 debut. Might just wait till there is less snow melt and a decent dry spell.

Might just be a good idea Gordie, that second one could be quite a battle with the bog, give me a shout if you want company, I'm happy to do the first one again, as I got no views from the summit and the start is a bit confusing.