Having read the WH reports saying that the ascent of Ben More from Crianlarich was brutal, I thought I'd try the longer route from Inverlochlarig

There is a very narrow and windy road along Loch Voil but made it to the parking lot at 9.45 am. Problems started when the stile that was meant to indicate the start of the route had been removed and replaced by a gate about 75 m up the road. Problem with that is that there is no obvious path leading from the gate - so I ploughed on up the very steep slope trying to avoid the boggy bits.



This was an extremely hard slog - and pretty brutal straight from the car! The clouds were also pretty low so the only views were back down into the glen. After what seemed like an age, finally ran into a faint track which speeded the ascent up. After about 1.5 hours made it to the top of Stob Invercarnaig where the clouds parted to reveal the uphill to Stob Coire an Lochain.


By this time my tights were burning, so it was slow going and added to that the clouds came in making the whole climb a bit of a slog. Eventually the clouds cleared a little at the top of Stob Coire an Lochain to reveal the climb to Stob Binnein.



The climb up to Stob Binnein was much easier than what had come before and made the summit around 12.30. The way down to the bealach at 862 m was pretty good but even with poles this was hard on the knees. By this time the clouds were clearing some and the slog up Ben More did not look too inviting...Indeed it was hard work but made it to the top by 1.45.



Little did I realise that the fun was only beginning - the descent from Ben More was almost harder than the ascent. The thought did cross my mind to go down into Inverlochlarig Glen to avoid going back up Stob Binnein, but with the steep ground, lack of any path thought better of it.

As the clouds were clearing a little, got a great view of my next two munros, Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulachean - although that will need to wait for a really nice day as there are loads of crags all of the descent route from the bealach.



The inital descent from Stob Binnein was not too bad and the views made it all very worthwhile.



Found the path on Stob Invercarnaig which leads you back to the parking lot. This was the worst part of the entire hike - knees and thighs were sore at this point so it was really slow going getting down. Would have been good to find this path on the way up. This path ends right at the parking lot, so if you want to find for the way up you will need to go left along the wall after going through the gate to find it.

Back at the car at 5.30 - exhausting but very good hike. Glad the clouds lifted as the scenery is fantastic.