Over The Hill

The July heat wave just seems to be staying around, and so it was "ditch all the un-necessary extra waterproofs etc" and "load up the extra water supplies" making an even heavier rucksack. Still who cares with weather like this. That said, there was precious little sign of sun as we set of from Ardchullarie on the shores of Loch Lubnaig as the whole glen was enshrouded in quite a thick morning mist, which was helping to keep temperatures down, at least for the moment.

Up through the forest on the steep, stony path and onto the Glen Ample track and in double quick time we were at the cut-off point alongside the Eas an Eion, where a finger post marks the start of the hill track to Beinn Each. This is a narrow, but clearly identifiable track which ascends the hillside in a series of easterly uphills and northerly rising contours until you eventually reach the rocky top and cairn marking the summit of Beinn Each (813m).

The weather was being kind to us, as the low mist remained throughout the ascent of Beinn Each, keeping us cool, and almost on cue, began to break up and burn off just as we reached the summit, opening up the view south over Ben Ledi, and north along our intended route. Although, at this point, Stuc a'Chroin remained behind a covering of the last remnants of the mist.

The ridge path from Beinn Each to Bealach Glas offers an interesting walk as it first makes the steep descent from Beinn Each and then climbs up and over the crags of the 706m top before once again descending into Bealach nan Caber with a final climb up slightly steeper grassy sections between the crags to the 735m top. There is a nice little scramble down the north side of the 735m top, which can be avoided if desired, followed by quite a steep descent into Bealach Glas. We decided on a lunch break at this point to take on some "fuel" before the climb ahead up the western slopes of Stuc a'Chroin.

From the bealach at 670m, the stony path rises steeply up the western slopes to about 850m, at which point to contours northeast around the upper slopes of Coire a'Chroin before finally heading east once again for the final ascent over the steep and rocky slopes which emerge onto the summit plateau alongside the large cairn marking the southern edge of the plateau, with the true summit cairn a few metres further to the north. You may be interest in comparing two of the photographs opposite which I had taken from virtually the same spot, one, five months earlier, on the recce of 28th February, and one from today's walk; different seasons, different walk.

By the time we reached the summit, we had beautiful clear blue skies and a temperature in the low twenties, although, again we were lucky, in that there was a slight breeze which helped to keep us comfortable and allow us to enjoy the beautiful day it was. So much so that we spent almost 1½ hours on the summit just wandering and enjoying the view, including a stroll over to the northern 951m top, from where the views of Ben Vorlich were worth the walk.

Eventually we had to leave this wonderful summit behind, and we retraced our steps descending down to Bealach Glas before contouring west below the 735m top and crossing the dry bed of the stream which runs from its northern slopes, and then descending steeply down heather clad slopes towards the forest boundary, and onwards to join up with the Glen Ample track just south of the forest boundary.

All that remained, was for us to take a nice steady walk back through Glen Ample and down through the forest track to return to our start point by Loch Lubnaig. Boots off and rucksack stowed it was off to The Byre at Brig o'Turk for our customary refreshment stop.

Another great day, great company - Thanks Ian