Firstly a confession - I didn't climb onto the top block just went through the eye of the needle, but i will do next visit.

On our last day in Scotland we had planned to go early and drive down to Hellvelyn to spend the afternoon in the hills around the YH but Ben had researched some bouldering opportunities between Succoth and Rest and Be Thankful. There being plenty of hills to climb around there I was happy to demure.

After a reconnaissance of the boulders in Glen Croe Ben dropped me back at the start of the walk up from the car park. There were a lot of people (compared to our normal West Coast walks) around as I ascended through the woodland. I find dense, planted, forestry dull especially now I’ve been to Glen Affric, so was glad to exit this at 300m. The path up the valley give good views of The Cobbler and encourages a speedy approach. As I hoped to include Beinn Narnain in the walk, if I had time, I opted for the approach path on the South side of the ridge, aiming for the wide notch to the side of the North summit.








The path was good at first, but turned rubbly and loose higher up, and then required a bit of clambering over boulders –nothing too onerous. In retrospect I think this is the best route up if you intend to do a circular walk as you approach the loose stuff on the way up. There were a number of people struggling up and down this path, one guy had trainers, football kit and a bottle of Lucozade and was complaining about the quality of the path.








Once through the boulders the ridge is easily obtained; there are great views of the three peaks and back to Ben Lomond as well as Beinn Ime over to the East. I walked up to the Middle top where a lady was coming back through the keyhole. After she had exited I had a go, taking a couple of snaps and checking out the route onto the top block. Being windy and promising my wife this week I’d not try anything risky I demurred but I’m sure Ben will be keen; maybe next year. As I left someone who was obviously an experienced climber made it look easy (from what I’d seen it was more awkward and exposed, than difficult.


















I made my way over to the North peak which was much easier to ascend , an inclined slab being the most awkward, this could be bypassed on either side. The views were worth the climb and right on que the Sun came out. A climber, ascending Punster’s Crack, popped his head over the edge of the hill, looking pleased with himself. I was running out of time (having to meet Ben at an agreed time) so descended to the bealach into the middle of an Italian family arguing which way to go down, the older members were a little fed up with the scrambling through the boulders, I reassured them that the North path down was best and left them to sort it out. It turned out the North path was a lot easier than the East and I made it down to the main path in good time for a easy stroll out. I had a long chat with two Glaswegians busy slathering Ibuprofen gel on their Knees complaining about how painful it was going up these hills. I hadn’t the heart to tell then up was the going up was the painless bit.








Back to the car by 4 o’clock for the drive South to Hellvelyn and Devon.