Over The Hill

It was almost 6 years since I had last climbed Beinn Narnain, and so when fine weather was forecast for Saturday, and Beinn Narnain was suggested as the preferred option, I was in, and keen to go.

The steep, and eroded track along the base of the old hydro cable line provided us with a direct ascent from the roadside to the base of Creag an Fhithich where a rough path continued up, through some minor rocky sections where a little scrabbling around was required to gain the grassier hillside above this prominent knoll. The clear sunny weather was a pleasant sideline as we continued the steady climb towards Cruach nam Miseag, with ever increasing views along the length of Loch Long and beyond, with the islands of the Firth of Clyde clearly visible.

Atop Cruach nam Miseag the impressive rocky east face of The Spearhead is a daunting sight even with the knowledge that its ascent is somewhat a straightforward affair and a relatively easy scramble up a rock strewn gully with handholds a-plenty and which leads to a flat rock slab giving a magnificent viewpoint standing directly above the east face, a small cairn marking the point at which one should step no further.

The summit is a rocky plateau with a Trig Point and small wind-break; however we were not alone on this bright day, it was quite a busy summit, and so we strolled a little to the southern edge and found ourselves a quieter spot for a long and leisurely lunch, taking full advantage of the dry, but slightly cooler conditions of the high summit area.

Somewhat reluctantly we finally left the summit to descend the grassier west ridge, swinging around ito eventually join the throng of people descending from The Cobbler into the 628m bealach for a leisurely return via the Narnain Boulders and the zigzags to a crowded Succoth car park.

A mountain that demands a return, sooner rather than later.

Thanks Lindsay and Janet, great day.