Over The Hill

Since I first climbed Beinn Chabhair on a glorious sunny day in May 2012, it has proven to be a mountain of many moods; a wonderful day in late winter snow conditions in April 2013, a howling gale and zero visibility in June 2017, and an aborted attempt earlier on in March this year, when snow and poor visibility saw us turning back when we reached Lochan Beinn Chabhair. Today, after quite an extended period of dry weather, and a favourable forecast, we were in for another fine day on Beinn Chabhair, and, just to add that extra slice of motivation, this was one Munro Janet had yet to climb. not having been with us on the previous three occasions when we made the summit, and, being unlucky enough to be with us on the aborted attempt in March.

Beyond Beinglas Farm the steep ascent up alongside the waterfall seemed harder that usual, probably due to the fact that the bracken was shoulder high in places, and in others, the foliage on the trees brushed your head and shoulders as you squeezed through the greenery. The rocky path itself appears to be falling foul of the high footfall, as it is now a crumbling track of broken rock and stones; it is therefore with some relief that you reach the open hillside above the waterfall. The fine weather of late had significantly dried out the notoriously boggy section above the waterfall and so we settled down to an enjoyable walk through the undulating heathery knolls to make the long, but much gentler, ascent along the course of Ben Glas Burn towards its source in Lochan Beinn Chabhair.

The day was progressing well, with early mist rising quickly, and a few blue patches appearing in places, however, as we left the lochan for the climb towards Meall nan Tarmachan and the ridgeline, there was still a patch of cloud hanging stubbornly over the higher ridge and summit of Beinn Chabhair. However, by the time we were climbing up the fine, zigzag path along the ridge, all mist and cloud dispersed from around the summits, and our views, although hazy, became quite extensive, just wonderful.

I personally think the ridge path of Beinn Chabhair is one of the best among our local mountains, I just love it, and on a day like today, it was great, switching up, down, and around as it makes its way towards the summit which remains hidden from view until you crest a false summit, beyond which, a few hundred metres away the rocky top suddenly appears directly ahead, a fine sight at the end of a fine climb; and a new Munro for Janet, another tick on the list - Congratulations.

The weather was great, the visibility good, and so we decided to forego the usual reverse route for our descent, and to continue beyond the summit descending the south ridge for just under half a kilometre before swinging generally north west to descend the easy grassy slopes towards Lochan Beinn Chabhair, from where we then rejoined our outbound route for a leisurely return to Beinglas Farm; leisurely it was, until the final descent down the very eroded path, not the most pleasant of an ending to what was a great day on the hills.

One final note; this was the first time I had made the descent via the south ridge, and given clear weather on any future outing to Beinn Chabhair, I would opt for this descent route, the grassy slopes make for relatively easy going, and the rolling nature of the knolls gives it a fine character.

Thanks Janet and Lawrie for your company on yet another great day in the hills.