Over The Hill

It has been just marvelous to be getting back into the hills since the gradual removal of the lockdown restrictions over the past few weeks. A couple of successful local hills, Beinn Chaorach and Beinn Bhreac, where I was fairly pleased with having recovered some hill fitness, and a not so successful attempt at Beinn Dubhchraig, were my lack of fitness was evident by the lack of achievement on that particular day. And so, I was more than determined that today, on Beinn Narnain, it was summit or bust.

Covid-19 restrictions still limit group sizing, and today, that was no problem, it was just Mike and myself as we parked up at Arrochar, paid the extortionate fees that Argyll and Bute are still charging for parking, and enforcing, as the warden was there checking cars even at the start of the day, and, as we were to find on our return, he was there once again, checking the cars. Unbelievable, Arrochar local services struggling and Argyll and Bute still raking it in from those who do venture out. I would rather pay the fee into a box for distribution around the cafes etc in Arrochar that we would normally use to help them get back in service, that I feel would be a far better use of the parking fees.

Anyway, rant over. How did the hill go? Well, the zigzags were steep and long as usual, one point to mention is that the upper section of the path, on the approach to the dam, is being reconstructed, with the digger and workmen there doing a fine job; all of course under Covid Safety with plenty of signage telling you to keep 2 metres from the workmen.

Above the dam, the mist was covering the hillside, and a steady drizzle worked its way up to a persistent rain, with the light breeze also growing in strength to a fairly stiff blow; such that by the time we were skirting the edge of the 628m bealach between The Cobbler and Beinn Narnain conditions were getting quite mucky. Anyway, we pushed on, up the well defined stone path which has been constructed over the last 18 months or so, and which now extends from the bealach to just above the 800m height on the west ridge of Beinn Narnain, making for fairly quick movement over what used to be a very rocky section of the route.

Beyond the constructed path, it is then a straight forward walk on a rougher path to the summit cairn and Trig Point, which today were deserted on the mist shrouded summit. We simply stopped by the Trig Point for a quick photo call before heading directly back downhill to grab a quick break in a sheltered spot, and then onwards retracing our steps for our return to the car park.

This was not a day for lingering on the hills, and we were back in the car park just a few minutes short of the 5 hours, so I was certainly pleased with todays effort. Although the early return did pose a problem, in that we had both paid £6 for our parking, and we were left with the dilemma, do we grab a quick nap in our cars to use up the extra hour, or mug the warden for our quid back. (That's an attempt at a sarcastic joke; just to make it clear to for those with little humour left after lockdown!).

Thanks Mike, fine day.