Ton up as well as the number of clegs killed.....Tyndrum Corbett duo from Auch

Hill: Beinn a’Chaisteil (Hill of the Castle) (886m) & Beinn nam Fuaran (Hill of the Well) (806m)

Type: Corbett x2

I admit that I did not sleep too well last as I doubted the wisdom of this ramble. I booked accommodation at the last minute with a regular B&B I use, Inverardran House, in Crianlarich, as the forecast was for dry weather. It turned out to be not just dry but scorching and it was prolonged, unheard of in Scotland. Last night there were some thunderstorms that caused travel disruption and they were forecast to continue today from midday. Just about the time I would be traversing from Corbett 1 to 2. Would I be drenched, would I be hit by lightning, was I mad, possibility of all 3.

Alarm woke me from my disturbed sleep at 6am but I was determined so up, dressed and en route within 15 minutes. Traffic was light and I made better time than expected, actually 30 minutes too early for the Green Welly restaurant to open, no black pudding and fried egg roll to dry me out. So I went to the snack bar, a total rip off compared to the restaurant and far inferior food, avoid unless you must.

Drove to Auch and ready to go for 8.30, about an hour ahead of where I thought I would be. Just as I started off a call from the good lady. I immediately thought I had left something but nope just a courtesy call, suspicious!

Bulk of Chaisteil dominates with Fuaran peeking out behind

Munro of Beinn Mhanach ahead I turned right and walked below it

On the climb views of Dorain left and Dothaidh right

Levelling out

Top in sight

From top looking back down Glen Lyon

I walked down past Auch farm wondering where the body of the cyclist had been hidden, two drunks will pay a heavy price but not as much as the cyclist.

My route starts with Beinn nam Fuaran which is the furthest away and is a good 90 minutes walk before I even start climbing. It is pleasant enough through the Auch glen with at least 3 river crossings, all fine in today's arid conditions but I can imagine it could be wet feet at other times. The heat was feeling quite oppressive hemmed in here in the glen and again I was questioning my decision making.

The slopes had looked steep and intimidating so it was with some relief that the gradient looked better when I finally left the track and started my ascent. Fools optimism.

From here it is about 400m of ascent which does not sound too bad but it is pathless, very steep, over rough terrain particularly at this time of the year when the grasses and bracken are flourishing. The last 100m is less steep but under that sun it did not feel like it. I met up with the old fence and followed it for the last section to the summit. A strong wind was blowing, great to be cooler but was it the precursor of the weather warning? The haze meant that even nearby hills were not great viewing but it was what it was, I was there. Onwards or not, you know the answer.

Chaisteil ahead from Fuaran

Follow the fence all the way

Looking back from summit to Fuaran

My car is up at the big tree plantation still a way to go

View over Beinn Chaorach and Crianlarich munros beyond

The 2^nd Corbett of the day in sight. I knew there was a drop of about 260m but it felt much more and I was once again questioning my sanity for doing both. My knees were feeling the descent and as I dropped it was getting hotter and hotter and the ascent looked more daunting. Looking at the map I had descended

This is bog and peat hag territory but I had studied a line which seemed to avoid the worst of the hags and indeed it did under these dry conditions but still plenty of wet stuff to remind you of what might have been, but it I wont affect me as I do not intend to be back but you never know.

I had descended away from the hill to avoid the crags so it was ‘relief’ to head back towards the hill and start climbing again.

It is only a climb of circa 350m and on a good gradient so it should have been straightforward but turned out to be anything but for a few reasons. It was hot, hot, hot and my 3 litres of water which had seemed excessive weight at the start was going down rapido. The clegs were more numerous than on any walk I can remember, I lost count of how many I killed never mind the ones I swept off my clothing. One did succeed above my elbow and though my top. Throw in a couple of ticks and it was an ascent of constant concentration but not always on the terrain. Finally with 200m to go my legs were gubbed. I was walking in short sections before having to stop. I assume it was the heat along with 2 weeks since walking but I had exercised every day so most likely the heat. After about 15 seconds of rest the cleg attack forced me to move for the next short section.

With immense relief I reached the small cairn and Corbett 100 had been ascended. My reward a water bottle with a dodgy tablet for rehydration and a Turkish Delight bar, smaller than I remembered but the sugar hit was appreciated. Again hazy but good views.

SE towards Chaorach

Descending and looking at the long track walk back in the heat

The hill is far too steep and cragged to descend from the summit so a track heads SE away from where you want to be and does so for quite some time. By now I just wanted to get back to the car. But the rehydration stuff and the sugar had worked so feeling better. When I reached a lochan I decided to just head down the slopes. It was painful as my socks and boots were not cooperating despite being regular companions. The clegs were back on the attack throughout the descent and although I could see the track it never seemed to get closer. Until it did and I was there.

Of course on this hard packed estate track, under the beating sun it was back to hot, hot, too hot.

There are three building projects you pass, a lot of dosh is being spent here.

Hot and bothered the walk is over, the yellow alert has been cancelled and I am in need of a cool shower followed by an even colder beer.

I had not heard any trains on my ramble and at the finish discovered last nights thunderstorms had caused a landslide that had blocked the route, no trains running so tomorrows long looked forward day out not going to happen. Honestly this is Scotland but obviously under climate attack, not just the clegs then.

Memorable ramble mainly because it was the ton up, but it was too hot for enjoyment and as such I was the only idiot on the hills it seemed, if anybody else was there I did not spot them.

Ascent: 992m

Distance: 18.6km

Time: 6.07

Wildlife: Small Heath; Chimney Sweep; Raven; Meadow Pipit; Linnet; Chaffinch; Oystercatcher; Common Frog; Cuckoo; Wheatear;