Stob Breac

[magicdin]

Again didn't get an early start - so another short day as a result
Stob Breac the Graham above Inverlochlarig is a hill that has been niggling at me for a couple of years since I turned back from it on a day of ill health and lethargy.
It was just after 11.30 when I set off from the car park at Inverlochlarig along the road for the rise up the forestry track that skirts the west side of this rough wee hill.
There is a locked gate at the bottom of the track with a stile to get over the fence so perhaps not one for the canine companions.

Locked gate and stile - only wee dugs allowed

Once over the stile the track rises in gradual zig zags before levelling off.
I knew from my previous aborted visit that there was a wide firebreak that gave access to the steep hillside.
You do pass other firebreaks that would also take you on to the hill but the slopes above them are very steep.

This firebreak for instance
My route to the hill was further to the south

This ruin is passed on the way

Reached the bottom of the firebreak(NN440153) in just under an hour

My way up the hill - on the trail of the lonesome pine
Wasn't particularly looking forward to this climb - forestry firebreaks can be rough going
As it turned out the going was OK - probably the best time of the year to tackle this hill
The tussocky grass had been flattened down by recent snows and the ground was still quite frozen
So I made good time up to the tree line where I stopped for a drink

Beinn Tulaichean

Looking up to the ridge from the top of the firebreak

Thought about taking a rising traverse up to the summit but in the end just went for the direct steep climb to the broad grassy ridge - disturbed a small group of stags on the way up

On the ridge

Along over the 681m top before sight of the actual summit

Approaching the top - South ridge of Stob Binnein beyond

Peaty col to cross just before the top

Reached the top of the hill and this tiny cairn (a couple of hinds lying just below were soon off and running)

There was another wee grassy top a couple of hundred yards to the north so I wandered out to it and back

Beinn Tulaichean,Cruach Ardrain and Stob Garbh

These hills were clear of cloud but the top of Stob Binnein didn't clear

Fine neighbouring Corbett - Stob a'Choin

Loch Doine

Looking south along the grassy ridge of Stob Breac

I could have dropped directly down the steep slope to search out one of the other firebreaks but settled for the gentle falling traverse back to my ascent route

Falling traverse

Rocky outcrop

Soon back down on to the forestry track for the amble back to the car

Inverlochlarig Farm

"Breac" always makes you think of rough ground and it is a rugged wee hill right enough
Maybe not the most exciting of walks but typical of a Graham in being a good viewpoint to bigger hills
Must get myself out of my pit earlier next week for a longer day

Stopped at the Kingshouse for a beer - Bottle of Deuchars

[malky_c]

Bit grey, but not a bad looking day

Hoping to combine this with Meall Mor and Stob a Chroin, so I'll be re-reading this at some point for some idea of the best way to get down through the forest - should be useful!

[dooterbang]

you really must set the alarm earlier!!

Distinct lack of snow

Nice report all the same - it's just good to get out, even if its a late rise

[magicdin]

you really must set the alarm earlier!!

Distinct lack of snow

Nice report all the same - it's just good to get out, even if its a late rise

The alarm goes off OK at the correct time - It's me that cannae get going

[Graeme D]

Nice one magicdin. It's a hill I have had an eagle eye on for a while too, just got to decide how to go about tackling it.

[magicdin]

Cheers Graeme
On my previous failed trip (May 2008 it was) I even considered going straight up the steep north slope
It would have been brutal I'm sure and as I said in TR I wasn't feeling too grand that day
So ended up walking round the track on the west side - thats how I knew about the firebreak
picture looking up the north slope

Stob Breac - North Slope

[Johnny Corbett]

Nice one magicdin. It's a hill I have had an eagle eye on for a while too, just got to decide how to go about tackling it.

I did this hill recently and climbed up the north face, it is a bit steep but very doable. It was also my first time using crampons due to the steepness. I descended down the east face

[magicdin]

I did this hill recently and climbed up the north face, it is a bit steep but very doable. It was also my first time using crampons due to the steepness. I descended down the east face

Must have been interesting

[Johnny Corbett]

I did this hill recently and climbed up the north face, it is a bit steep but very doable. It was also my first time using crampons due to the steepness. I descended down the east face

Must have been interesting

It was pretty hard going, one of the toughest climbs i've done.It took me five hours

[kinley]

Why oh why did I spend time and fuel getting up to Fisherfield for that 90% cloud free fantasy when the south was better?

Must admit we found the west slopes of this one fairly steep themselves - quite a rough customer

Looks a good day - and economical on the fuel too

[magicdin]

Why oh why did I spend time and fuel getting up to Fisherfield for that 90% cloud free fantasy when the south was better?

Must admit we found the west slopes of this one fairly steep themselves - quite a rough customer

Looks a good day - and economical on the fuel too

Yes must have been - read your TR on this hill
Think I'm suffering from a post compleation torpor
It's the driving any sort of distance that I don't fancy - for the moment

[kinley]

Good choice - we'd been saving Groban/Beinn Bheag and Creag Rainich for a great day - and it was pretty poor. Didn't do the Corbett.

Really pish forecasting recently

[malky_c]

Good choice - we'd been saving Groban/Beinn Bheag and Creag Rainich for a great day - and it was pretty poor. Didn't do the Corbett.

Really pish forecasting recently

Unlucky - I have a similar plan and I've pulled back from doing it a couple of times now because of the weather. Somewhere down the side of Loch Linnhe is where you wanted to be Saturday - beautiful in the afternoon. I wasn't up any hills though

[threya]

Haven't been down that valley so enjoyed reading this one

[magicdin]

Haven't been down that valley so enjoyed reading this one

Yes it is a nice part of the country - and very good for approaching the Crianlarich Munros
Stob a'Choin is a fine Corbett also