A cold summers day for a Pubil Corbett double

Hill: Meall Buidhe (907m) (Yellow rounded hill) & Sron a’ Choire Chnapanaich (837m) (The nose of the knobbly corrie)

Type: Corbetts

A return to one of my favourite glens but is this summer I asked myself as I stood at the end of Glen Lyon with the wind howling, the clouds grey, smirry rain and it was cold.

Start from houses

The double Corbett circuit seemed less attractive at this moment. Nevertheless hardy souls we are and off we went doing an anti clockwise circuit following the Cicerone route and not WH or SMC, highly recommended apart from the longer lochside walk at the end.

Up through the Pubil estate following an estate track until we reached the small hydro dam, the coos were aplenty but they ran away, yipee. Avoiding the numerous large pats was harder than avoiding them.

We initially stayed lower down, heading across the moor, wet and boggy at times, small hags, typical upland moor before, cutting up to the ridge to find the iron fence poles. After that it was a straightforward walk to the 1^st summit of Sron, under 2 hours good going. The number of frogs around today was unreal. 

Good views down over the very low reservoir of Loch an Daimh. There is a big drop but you are not aware of it.

Heading for burn and then up to the bealach

The next section to the 2^nd Corbett was to be the most awkward and as such the hardest. A steep descent to find the burn, peat hags to be avoided.

Then followed the burn upwards before peeling off to head for the ridge to find the next set of old fence posts. The contouring and rubbish terrain was hard work.

At the old posts there was a faint track, amazing how much easier the going is when the ground is flattened to a track, I was not complaining.

The next top is visible on our left but we are following the poles and taking a circular route before heading directly for the obvious cairn. Once again big is not always best as the true cairn is the smaller one further on. 

Summit plateau

Not the true top even though the cairn is miles bigger

It was pretty cold, almost freezing but the couple of Spaniards with us thought our weather was great compared to the oppressive summer heat they are used to. Surely there is a compromise to be found.

Our route now differs from the other routes as we headed due south down the steep grassy slopes. Stopping on same slopes for food and to enjoy great views over Loch Lyon and the impressive Coire Eoghannan, got to be some deer in there.

Found the required gate

Next a burn crossing before through the open gate in the deer fence. There is a very faint ATV track to follow through the newish plantation but beware there were a lot of hidden holes where trees had not been planted, care required.

Long walk back to the dam

Finally, we reached the loch and the long walk back to the cars with one steep climb to finish that I would rather not have had.

Overall, an excellent ramble in good company but some heat please.

Ascent: 1026m

Distance: 16.9

Time: 6.09

Wildlife: Common Frog; Small Heath Butterfly; Chimney Sweeper moth; Hare; Red Deer (hinds); Golden Eagle: Raven.