walkhighlands

If it wasnae for ma wellies (part 2 and a while later)

Route: An Caisteal and Beinn a'Chròin, near Crianlarich

Munros: An Caisteal, Beinn a' Chròin

Date walked: 11/08/2018

Time taken: 174 hours

The plan for this year is to finish the Munros on the OS Map Loch Lomond North. Last week we headed to Crianlarich to tackle An Caisteal and Beinn a'Chroin.

The forecast was to be clear by mid morning. However when I picked up my walking companion at the Railway Station this was not looking likely. The rain got heavier as we headed up towards Sron Gharbh and we discussed whether to head home again (this was our second attempt at these hills). However, we decided to carry on and review later. We got to Sron Gharbh, the rain stopped, the wind started, and blew us dry. The clouds were rolling over and we got views off and on. The path over Twistin Hill up to An Caisteal was clear, dry and enjoyable. We could see An Caisteal in the distance looking formidable in the rolling cloud.

No view at the top so we moved on towards Beinn a'Chroin. The clouds were clearing and the views were stunning. We met another hillwalker who warned us about the scramble up to Beinn a'Chroin and gave me doubts to whether we would manage it. When we got to the scramble he was proved right - my short legs were not up to the task. We discussed other options but decided to head down the hill to the River Falloch to the return route.

The clouds had cleared and looking back to Beinn a'Chroin, we knew we would be back. The walk down from the Bealach Buidhe was mostly dry, however when we joined the path back along the glen we found ourselves having to work out the best way over the bog.

The following week we were gobsmacked to see on MWIS that the chance of a cloud free Munro in the West Highlands was over 90%. Time to tackle Beinn a 'Chroin again but this time we decided to take our wellies.

We walked to the hydro works wearing our walking boots, changed into our wellies and walked to the start of the climb before changing back.

The walk up Beinn a'Chroin was good - a clear dry path zig zagged up the hill. We visted the 2 cairns to benefit from the clear views. There were a few folk heading in the other direction and the summit looked busy. However, when we arrived we had it to ourselves and sat for a while eating our pieces and enjoyed a wind free, warm day - on the top of a mountain!

Returned back the same way, sussing out Cruaich Ardrain - our last Munro to do from the Loch Lomond North Map. The route from Grey Height looks good (and looked good from when we climbed Ben More).

Wellies back on for return boggy walk, again enjoyed the freedom to just go for it. Mud not as bad as Ben Lui which was just about knee deep for me.

Enjoying the Crianlarch hills - Cruaich Ardrain - here we come.

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Comments: 2



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Activity: Mountaineer
Mountain: The Cobbler
Place: Loch Awe
Ideal day out: Hill walk with a bit of scrambling and a good view at the top
Munro rounds: 8
Corbett rounds: 5
Fiona rounds: 1

Munros: 54
Corbetts: 18
Fionas: 5
Donalds: 3
Sub 2000: 15



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Statistics

2018

Trips: 3
Distance: 14 km
Munros: 3
Fionas: 1

2017

Trips: 6
Distance: 18 km
Ascent: 787m
Munros: 8
Corbetts: 1

2016

Trips: 5
Distance: 9.72 km
Ascent: 1451m
Sub2000s: 4


Joined: Feb 22, 2016
Last visited: Oct 13, 2023
Total posts: 26 | Search posts