Beinn Narnain and The Cobbler

[Dunfie]

I've been meaning to take Cameron and Mrs D up here for a while now. I worked out that it was about 28 years since I was last up so it was well past the time to pay a visit.

I really wanted to go straight up from the Succoth car park past the Narnain Boulders and up onto Narnain itself. The description was for some light scrambling and we were comfortable with that. However as we drove up Loch Lomond side we saw a fair dusting of snow in Ben Lomond so thought that it might be a bit trickier at the top when approaching from the south east so we changed the plan to follow the path up between Narnain and The Cobbler and then ascend Beinn Narnain from the bealach, come back down and then up The Cobbler. The overall walk was longer but it removed any doubt.

We got to Succoth at 9am and were greeted by a heavy shower so we just sat in the car for a few minutes to let it pass. The sun came out and it turned into a lovely fresh morning. We were soon off and enjoying the views across the valley and down Loch Long.



As we got to the top of the trees we saw our first glimpse of The Cobbler.



Soon we were on the main path running between our targetted conquests when we started to see some clouds flirting with The Cobbler.



Soon The Cobbler disappeared behind some hail and snow and then begin to hunt down Narnain (this quickly disappeared too).



For the next five minutes we were exposed to a very heavy shower. I was beginning to get some looks from Cameron to suggest turning back but to be honest I didn't think his heart was in it so once rain stopped we were back on our way. It wasn't long until we were getting some amazing views of The Cobbler that made it all worth while.



We got the bealach but didn't hang around as we wanted to get up Narnain and be back down before lunch. We did catch a nice shot of Beinn Ime on the way up.



Pressing up to the top the wind was getting a bit stronger so we just stopped for the pictures and then back down.

Cameron on Beinn Narnain with the Cobbler in the background.



Cameron and his old Dad on Ben Narnain



The Cobbler from Beinn Narnain



Ben Lomond from Beinn Narnain



We were fortunate as we managed to get back down to the bealach for lunch just as another hail and snow storm came rushing in. We sheltered behind the rocks at the bottom of the steps up The Cobbler. Again it all passed quite quickly and we headed up for the final push of the day.

We made good progress on the way up but stopped a few times to chat to some who were on their way down (good chance to catch our breath). I have to admit that when we got to the top the scale of the drops over the cliffs made me quite dizzy. I was equally in awe and quite spooked by the mountain. It was really worth the effort but I wasn't for hanging around too long.





We got to the car just after 3 after a fantastic day. I won't be leaving it 28 years before I go back to the Arrochar Alps.

[Bruadair]

Hi Dunfie,

Some good photo's.....I did these two back in November and really enjoyed the day..............did Narnain via Spearhead and loved it...it's great hill..................well done to young Cameron, the walk in via Coire a' Bhalachain and Narnain Boulders is long and tiring, but you get great views of the Cobbler.

Regards...................B

[ChrisW]

Great report and some stunning pics, looks to be some great views all along the walk

[monty]

Excellent report Dunfie. Some top pictures as well. Great to get the young lad walking on some good hills.

[Merry-walker]

Love the Cobbler. There's just something about the look of this hill, I can't put my finger on it (I must make the effort and visit.) Cracking pictures, cheers. Fab walk

[PeteR]

Great report and pics. The Cobbler is simply the best - what the hills are about for me. Looks like you had great weather too, which is good to see. Thanks for posting

[Dunfie]

Thanks folks, it was a good day and Cameron did well getting up both hills (he now has them ticked off on his wall chart).

Some good photo's.....I did these two back in November and really enjoyed the day..............did Narnain via Spearhead and loved it...it's great hill..................well done to young Cameron, the walk in via Coire a' Bhalachain and Narnain Boulders is long and tiring, but you get great views of the Cobbler.

That looks like a good challenge so we plan to do it this way when we do it next time.