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Left Falkirk at 5 a.m. and had a lovely quiet drive up, the scenery was fantastic, everything was crystal clear in the early morning sun.
Parked in the large lay by at the side of Loch Lubhair, in between two camper vans, must be a great way to tour Scotland in the recent good weather.
- Loch Lubhair in early morning sun
Got suited and booted and left at 6.30 a.m., gloves, jacket and hat on, bit of a nip in the air.
I walked the quarter mile or so along the A85 until I spotted the huge sign for Ben More.
- Expensive looking sign
Through the gap in the hedge, across the ditch and off we go up the farm track.
Ben More really dominates everything at the start
- Ben More
I had already made the decision to walk up Benmore Glen and reach the bealach from there, avoiding the slog up the front of Ben More, my legs are still a bit rusty after a long lay off from the hills.
It's then a very pleasant walk up through the glen on a well surfaced farm track.
- First view of Stob Binnein
When the track ends after a mile or so, it's just a case of following the Benmore burn on your right hand side, for another half mile.
- Benmore burn
Turn left now, and aim for the low point of the bealach, heading for a large boulder.
- Large boulder close up
Upon reaching the rock, cross the burn on the right hand side and you will pick up a path heading uphill along side the burn.Follow the path and it will take you safely through a gap in the crags ahead.
- Path through crags
From here it is not too long before you reach the bealach, it was a nice climb up in the cool of the early morning shade, into the sun now with quite a stiff westerly breeze.
- Ben More from bealach
- Stob Binnein from bealach
I went for Stob Binnein first as I was still unsure at this point if I was going to descend down the front of Ben More or retrace my journey back down the glen.
It's quite a steep pull up Stob Binnein from here on a zig zagging path but well worth the effort when you reach the summit.
- Almost there
- Summit in view
I had the top to myself and sat for 30 minutes or so, out of the breeze, admiring the views and enjoying my lunch, a roll on chicken, corn beef and boiled egg, no expense spared.
- Ben More and beyond from summit
- Looking south from summit
Back down to the bealach and up towards the top of Ben More.
It was here that I came across my first fellow hillwalker, a chap from Preston who travels a long road up to enjoy the mountains.
I sat for a while and had a chat.
Then it was back to the uphill slog, it's steep on the south side of Ben More too.
- It's steep at the back also
Couple of little steps just before the top, but nothing too tricky.
- First step, no problem
- Second step, no problem
Then the trig point appears, yipee !
- Eureka !
Went to the summit cairn and took lots of photos.
Bit more cloud rolling in now, but still fantastic views.
Half a dozen people at the top with more arriving as time went by.
- Summit cairn looking east to Lawyers range
- Crianlarich and beyond
Stayed for about 40 mins or so, had another roll and enjoyed saying hello to fellow walkers, always enjoy hearing all the different accents on top of a busy hill.
Decided to descend down the north face, boy it is steep.
- Down we go
- Steeper and steeper
- Must be good coming up the way
Met people as they were heading uphill, good workout for their legs.
Eventually got down and met the farm track again.
Once back on the A85, it is a nice walk back to the lay by, gives you a chance to stretch your legs on a flat surface for a change, heaven.
Cracking walk, lovely hills and met some nice people.
Well satisfied.