Over The Hill

On a clear day, The Brack looks a formidable hill with its steep rugged crags rising above the lower tree-lined slopes of Ardgartan Forest. Although most of the recent snow had disappeared from the lower hills, there was still plenty of snow evident in the upper gullies and more sheltered hillsides to make this a walk full of promise both in the challenges ahead and in the possibility of some wonderful views.

As we gathered in the Ardgartan car park it was obvious that this was to be a popular choice for today's walk, as 17 of us eventually set off heading northwest along the forest track above Croe Water before eventually leaving the track and heading up through the trees towards the open hillside. In contrast to the forest track, the path through the trees is narrow, rocky, and very steep, with a few sections that require the use of hands in order to negotiate some large boulders and trees that line the path.

The open hillside is eventually reached by means of a rickety stile over the forest boundary fence, and the steep climb continues with The Brack and its mighty crags dominating the view ahead. The small stream above which the path through the trees flows is eventually crossed and you are now faced with a wide gully up which the path winds, with a number of sections where it is necessary to use your hands for that extra pull to get up an awkward step.

The ground underfoot was now frozen hard and frosted, and icicles were lining the banks of the streams and adjacent rocks as we climbed the gully, with ever increasing patches of hard-packed and very slippery snow to negotiate - the option was, cross slippery snow, or miss the snow and cross hard frozen grass, that in places was as slippery as the snow bank. It was one of those situation, not really enough snow and ice for crampons, but just enough to make you take some care otherwise you could find yourself taking a slide.

As we progressed, the views were opening up all around, and the overcast sky was being replaced by clear blue skies drifting in from Ben Lomond to the east of us. The Cobbler and Beinn Narnain looking particularly spectacular with the blue skies and snow tops. There was virtually no wind, and although the temperature was below freezing point you did not feel it was that cold or the need for additional layers. The day was certainly shaping up to be a great one for the hills.

The path up the gully leads you to a broad open area directly below the steep crags of the north face of The Brack, to an area where some very large boulders are scattered around, some of which form small cave like openings, hence the name given to this spot - "Bivi Boulders" - most probably from the early mountaineers who used these crags to hone their climbing skills, and who may well have used the boulders as shelter or overnight sleeping areas when climbing the crags.

There is a route from the Bivi Boulders which requires a scramble directly up a steep gully to the summit, but today we turned south, still climbing over an open area of hillside towards a col where there is a small lochan, from which we could then climb the steep grassy slopes to the summit. We reached the lochan which, as we had expected given the temperature, was frozen over, but offered a nice spot for a short break before we made the final short, but steep climb to the summit.

The route we took from the Lochan was a mixture of steep grassy slopes and a few short scrambles up some awkward sections of rocky outcrops. Just below the summit, we had some wonderful views looking down the steep, snow lined gully that drops directly to the Bivi Boulders below, and given the interest that Ian showed in this route, I think that may well be one for us to tackle during the summer months!

The summit Trig Point was bathed in sunshine, and, unusual for this time of year, we did not have to hunt around for a sheltered spot to have our lunch, we just sat around the broad summit and enjoyed the day - it was glorious.

After a leisurely lunch we rather reluctantly had to leave the summit and set off north west down the grassy slopes towards the Bealach Dubh-lic to intercept the path running from Coire Odhar and follow it north west as is winds its way downhill and into the Ardgartan Forest from where we rejoined the main forest track. From here it was an easy, if not longish trek back through the forest to our start point at Ardgartan Lodge Car Park.

An excellent and challenging walk with magnificent views, thanks Ian.