Over The Hill

After two unsuccessful attempts to climb An Caisteal as a programmed walk, we were hoping today would be third time lucky for us. Previously, a minor landslide closed the A82 beyond Tarbet preventing us getting access to the start point for the walk; and, on another occasion we did at least get onto the hillside reaching the 800m height before being beaten by the wind that was literally stopping us in our tracks. So, despite a MWIS forecast of mist and heavy rain, a cloud base as low as 200m and strong winds at the higher levels, we set of with some determination that today we would not be beaten.

We skirted around the cattle pens and through the quagmire of cow muck and mud that is unavoidable at the start of this walk, and under the railway line via the sheep creep. The water levels in the River Falloch were testament to the recent rains, as the water tumbled down stream as we made our way along the path in the direction of Coire Earb. In just over a kilometre we passed through a gate in the fenceline and immediately left the track to take to the open hillside and head directly uphill towards Sron Garbh, at the northern end of the main ridge.

It was a bit boggy and wet underfoot, although we did find the makings of a path heading in the general direction of the ridge which petered out as the climb steepens and we trudged up the wet and slippery grassy slopes towards the main ridge. Visibility at this point wasn't great, but good enough for us to see our main marker points ahead, and eventually the very prominent rock marking the skyline which lies just north of Sron Garbh and is an ideal aiming point from which to join the start of the main ridge path.

Climbing in the lea of the ridge we only had to contend with the mist and rain, but the moment we set foot on the exposed ridge, we had the added element of a strong wind to contend with, not quite as strong as on our previous visit, but strong enough to cause a few wobbles when caught by an unexpected gust. And so, it was heads down an onwards into the wind and rain - we were not going to give up this time!

We made steady progress, passing the 800m height of our previous outing before we decided to drop down off the ridgeline and find some shelter among the hollows in which to take a short break out of the wind. One minor consolation with today's weather was that the temperatures were quite mild, so although wet and windy, it was not particularly cold.

The higher levels of the ridge offer the more interesting aspects of the climb, and so after our short break we continued upwards, negotiating the very prominent rocky cleft that splits the ridge and requires a short drop down into, and a minor scramble out of the cleft and thence onwards to the rocky knoll, where the path twists around and up the steep sides, with a second short scramble before the ridge is re-gained for the final easy walk to the cairn atop the 995m summit.

We had given ourselves the option, that weather and time permitting, we would continue onto Beinn a'Chroin and return via Coire Earb. And so, a short discussion followed our arrival on the summit as to a return via our ascent route, or continue with the round. Reluctantly, we decided that Beinn a'Chroin would have to wait until another day, and so we retraced our steps, for a still wet and windy descent back to our waiting cars.

Not the best of days for the hills, but the company was great, and we did at least get to the top. Thanks all for your support - and see you all again soon.