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After a good day out on the Orchy Munro's last year, the next door Corbetts were a challenge I'd been eyeing up for a while. I checked what I thought was an unconvincing forecast late on Saturday to see it had turned into a belter of a day. Allegedly! So a last minute plan saw me choosing a nice challenge
The long hours of daylight meant I didn't have to get up too disgustingly early (although it did feel like it at the time
) and a relatively easy drive saw me at the parking spot and setting off at 9am. There was a bit of cloud around but I was confident that it would clear. It was what the forecast promised after all!
The first problem was getting across the railway but a quick climb over a gate and a level crossing sorted that problem, although it left me with a very steep climb and a deer fence the other side… eventually I was on the west highland way!
Beinn Dorain and Glen Orchy
Almost immediately I headed uphill. I knew this bit was going to be horrifically steep but the good thing was that it was pretty short. However it didn't feel that way… the ground was wet and slipppery and I was sliding around all over the place. However there was a nice breeze and the views were opening out.
I reached the Lochan where the gradient eased a little….
….before the final pull to the summit.
Looking back towards Tyndrum
By no means easy but I was standing on my first summit only a little over an hour from the start.
Meall Buidhe
Beinn Dorain and the Orchy Munros
Despite a lot of the higher tops around were still in the cloud, I could see all of my route ahead.
Cam Chreag & Beinn Chaorach
Jaxter special
Beinn Dorain in cloud and the glen below
Cam Chreag with Chreag Mhor behind and Loch Lyon
It was a great viewpoint and I could see a lot of hills that I'd climbed. There was a cold breeze (which was nice on the ascent but cools you down quickly) so I headed down initially gentle slopes to another Lochan before the going got really steep. I spent most of this descent on my backside and arrived at the bealach with a wet bum and a few muddy skid marks
Beinn Chaorach had looked very small from the summit of Beinn Odhar but from here it looked monstrous
there was only one thing for it…I steadily made my way upwards, zig-zagging to the max.
Beinn a’ Chaisteil and Beinn Dorain
Beinn Dorain & the railway bridge
A wee burn provided some welcome refreshment! After a brutal 200m thankfully the gradient eased a little and I was able to at least breathe…
Finally onto the top it was a short stroll to the trig point at the summit and despite being a tiny wee thing it was a fabulous viewpoint!
A wee wander south gave an even better view of Beinn Challum which looked pretty impressive from here.
Crianlarich hills
Glencoe peeking through
South
Beinn a’ Chaisteil and Beinn Dorain with the Black Mount and Glencoe behind
Looking across to Cam Chreag I was trying to work out which end the summit was… the map was unhelpful and to the eye they looked the same height. Doh…should have done my homework better
It was a mercifully easy descent down to the bealach where I picked up a path which led me safely through the bog and peat hags.
Both railway bridges now
I did see this strange contraption…anyone know what it might be?
Compared to the previous two summits, this climb was a walk in the park! But my legs were getting tired and it was warming up. Another burn gave an opportunity for a breather and to top up water supplies.
Ben Lui hills and Beinn Odhar
From here it was a short pull to the top and I was greeted by a cairn. Now I was 99% sure that I was on the summit..but it would be so annoying to get home and find id missed it for the sake of a couple of kilometres…
Ben Dorain and Beinn a’ Chaisteil
Ben Lui and friends
Ben Nevis almost clear
Loch Lyon
Beinn a’ Chaisteil & Beinn nam Fuaran with Dorain and Achaladair behind
Beinn Chaorach & Beinn Odhar with Lui & friends behind
I could see some people hang gliding near Beinn Dorain and this seemed like a good excuse to play with my pals expensive lens
I sat down for a sandwich and turned on my phone to find I had no signal to check, but at least I didn't have hundreds of messages pinging through. So I went for a (what turned out be totally unnecessary) stroll along to the end of the ridge. It wasn't a total loss, it was a nice walk and the views were good
Glen Lochay
The actual summit…with Orchy Massif behind
The hang gliders were out in force
Back at the summit, I could see my route ahead….long way down, long way up
Spiky Beinn Achaladair
It was actually a pretty nice descent, the ridge was gentle and soft but eventually it became very boggy and then very steep.
Looking back up
Safely down, I hopped across the burn and looked ahead. The steep cone of Beinn Na Fuaran was ahead.
There was an inkling of a path to begin with but this soon disappeared. I picked a straight line and made for the summit.
Looking back to the descent from Cam Chreag
My legs were really starting to feel it here and it was tough going. As I gained height I could see three people crossing the bealach between Beinn nam Fuaran and my final summit, Beinn a’ Chaisteil.
I dragged my tired self up the final pull and was at the summit! Fortunately that was the last big ascent. I took some time to enjoy the views - everything was clear. Except Ben Nevis of course
Beinn Achaladair and friends
Beinn Mhanach & Beinn a’ Chreachain behind
Loch Lyon
Achaladair
I was getting cold so it was time to go. Just as I was leaving I had my first human encounter of the day - turned out he had been following my route all day but I hadn't seen him
I headed off, meeting the first of the group of three as I began my descent. This was a busy hill
the descent was very steep; I could have cut off to the side for a slightly easier time…but why make things easy?
As I approached the bottom I saw my tail from the top go running past…so that's how he caught me
The bealach was really boggy and although my boots had kept my feet dry up until now, I could feel a bit of water coming through now. Past the point of caring, I bog-hopped my way across and began the final ascent. From below this has looked a nice gradual ascent but it felt anything but easy
I vaguely followed the fence posts up and up…and up…
Looking back (an excuse for a breather
)
And a nice view….
Just as I was approaching the summit I felt a few spots of rain
this wasn't forecast at all but it gave me the kick up the backside I needed to get there before it got wet! Fortunately the rain never actually materialised
Loch Lyon and Beinn nam Fuaran
Glen Orchy
Finally at the summit this was a tired Jaxter pose
First summit, Beinn Odhar
Orchy Massif
Moody Loch Lyon
Beinn Bhreac-Liath
With the threat of rain imminent and the breeze cooling down all the sweat on my back, I didn't linger too long.
I followed the ridge south, descending easily (and even on a path!) Eventually the path petered out and it was time to drop from the ridge. This was not an enjoyable part of the day.
Glen Coralan
It was steep and slippery and as I got lower it became boggy too. I managed to stay on my meet by some miracle and eventually emerged, aching, onto the track.
From here it was an easy walk back, gradually downhill to the river past a couple of impressive railway bridges….
…before I met the West Highland way for the return to the car. I had initially planned to park at Auch to avoid this walk at the end of the day but couldn't really find any parking. The sun chose this moment to come out and these last few uphill kilometres were tough
I met a few groups still walking and some setting up camp near the river.
Looking back
The final uphill done, I was back at the car. I downed about a litre of water and finished my sandwiches before I was safe to drive to the Green Welly where I had a cup of tea before contemplating the drive home
I was relieved that my knee had survived a tough day out, although the cycle to work the next morning was…uncomfortable
definitely a tougher circuit that the Munro's next door!!
But an excellent day out