Life beyond 100.....a baggers adventures continue.....
And so it came to pass that on the 31st day in May, in the year of our lord 2011, a lone Munro bagger (and his squidgy orange companion) set out on a journey into the unknown......life beyond his first 100 Munro's.
Car loaded with all the accoutrement's required for a trip into the hills of Scotland we set off on a challenge that had been set down late last year....for it was then that we had originally attempted these two Munro's....only to be thwarted by illness, injury and a splashdown of such magnitude that Crianlarich still reverberates from the after shocks!!
We parked the car up, as suggested, off the road at the turning into Auchessan farm. A chill wind blew through the trees and a windproof base layer was adorned...only to be replaced within minutes as the sun split the skies for a thin t-shirt...only to be covered up minutes later still by a waterproof as the first summer shower of the day landed with gusto around us. After two hundred metres this outer layer was shed and the t-shirt remained in place...as the sun split the skies yet again (this would repeat continuously all day long unfortunately)...we crossed beyond the threshold of Auchessan farm...onwards and upwards.
The trail is pretty straight forward as you head through the farm and follow the track to your left, up through a couple of cattle fences, dodge the orange cows with the long pointy horns, close the gate behind you and breath easily as you realise that you are no longer in any danger of being charged and gored by these vicious creatures (they fool no-one with their cud chewing placidity).
Follow the path alongside the burn (don't cross it) heading up the Alt Riobain, continue climbing to gain height and carry on through a deer fence and on until the fence on your left reaches it's end. There are fine views of both Munro's from here and further back to Ben More, also down the A85 towards Killin.
It would be tempting to cross the Alt Robain here, but dont. There is a far easier crossing around 300 metres further upstream, just below the dam, and will save anyone the indignaty of falling into the water and having to cut short their trek as a result. Lying on ones back in a river, looking like an upturned toirtoise, is not recommended by this bagger. Once across the stream you reach a path, which is used by vehicular access to service the dam, which you cross on a north-east bearing to Sgiath Chuil.
The going here is rather wet through moorland....lots of squelching through boggy ground...and care should be taken of where one steps. The slope starts to rise steeply and you need to head for the gap between the crags of Sgiath Chrom at 853 meters and Sgiath Chuil at 921 meters...though it is no hardship to head for Sgiath Chrom first then traverse the open platuea to Sgiath Chuil and climb the short but steep slope to the summit cairn.
There are some brilliant views from here and thankfully we did it on a sunny day with cloud cover high enough in the sky not to be problematic from a visibility point of view.
I was able to pick out Ben Vorlich and Stuc a Chroin, the Lawers range, the hills of Tyndrum, Bridge of Orchy and Dalrigh and not forgetting Ben More and the Crianlarich hills beyond...it was fun to sit and name all the ones I have previously climbed, but also quite sad to realise that I have almost completed the Munro's around here as i love this area and will never tire of wanting to come here and stay on my trips away.
Meall Glas was visible, as was my intended target for the following day Ben Challum, the only thing missing was a visible path off Sgiath Chuil. It quickly became apparent that I would require to lose a vast amount of height and drop down to a bealach at 600 meters between the two Munro's, then climb steep grassy slopes for 350 meters to attain the summit of Meall Glas. On a warm sunny day, with occasional bursts of rain, this was disheartening enough...in terrible conditions the traverse down the slopes of Chuil into the bealach would have been disheartening and treacherous!!
Once in the Lairig a' Churain it is back to dodging through boggy ground, gaiters are such a godsend...all hail gore-tex...before a steep climb northwest to reach the ridge of Beinn Cheathaich...which climaxes at a summit cairn and trig point at 937 meters...but is still 1 kilometre away from the summit cairn of Meall Glas at 959 meters. From Beinn Cheathaich there is a visible path, the first of the day, leading to the cairn on Meall Glas.
We sat awhile at the cairn, taking pictures and a video (which had to be binned due to the wind drowning out the commentary).
There appeared to be no clear path off of Meall Glas, in keeping with the majority of the day, so look to descend carefully between the broken crags on the southeast of the summit before heading down steep grassy slopes through Meall Glas Bheag.
Eventually reach a burn heading down through Creag nan Uan and follow it back to the plantation fence and a clear gate leading back to the rear of Auchessan farm.
We eventually arrived back at the car, tired sweaty and desperate to get out of muddy boots (they would need a proper clean before starting again tomorrow) after 4.5 hrs.
A short drive was all that was required to reach the overnight accomodation at Inverardran. After being shown to my room, having a shower, cleaning the boots, sorting out damp gear, sending texts...I was ready for a stroll into Crianlarich village for my tea. I would usually stay at the Crianlarich hotel but unfortunately it was full at short notice so I just ate there instead. It is not easy to claim that you slum it when away on these trips.....especially when the menu boasts roast pidgeon for starter and crispy pork belly for main course, followed by berry trifle, all washed down with Crabbies alcoholic ginger beer.....so i wont even try.
Even as I strolled back along the roadside to the Inverardran, which was a very acceptable little B&B to stay at, I could feel the start of the rain that was to sweep in through the night and rob me of any chance of adding to my total in the morning.
After a restless nights sleep, do I ever have any other kind (??), and a hearty breakfast, I sat and watched as the rain fell in torrents outside. I drove along to the start point of the walk to Ben Challum and briefly thought it was going to be kind to me and stop, or ease off, to then realise that my windscreen wipers were struggling to keep up with the water cascading across my car...sensible decisions are hard to take at times like these...but the thought of trudging through such rain, having no views, getting no pics, alone was just too depressing so I headed for home with my tail between my legs.
I'm pretty sure that will not be my last failed trip of the year...it was just frustrating that it followed such a lovely day previously. Oh well, at least I live to fight another day.
Till next time....
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