An electrifying day on An Caisteal

Hill: An Caisteal (The Castle 995m) & Beinn a’ Chroin (Mountain of the Sheepfold 942m)
Category: Munro
Once again the weather gods decided to do a U -turn for our Saturday walk. The last few days have been gloriously clear blue skies and very warm. Today there was a weather warning for potential lightening mmm!
As we left the parking area at Glen Fallon it was already muggy and threatening. We followed the newish dam path until we reached a locked gate with the steep grassy slopes of our initial target, Sron Gharbh, in clear sight. Over the fence we turned off the track to our right, up the faint muddy track.  

Looking back to the start

Initially it was gentle climbing but it soon steepened, the chatter was less and the breathing heavier. Looking back good views back to the start.
However, as soon as we crested the ridge the weather changed dramatically in seconds, as the storm winds blew the clouds and rain through. The views well and truly gone although as we walked it came and went. 

Cloud clears briefly to quickly snap the ridge

We followed the good path to Sron Gharbh getting occasional glimpses of the Twistin Hill. Up and down, the occasional hands on uphill scrambling until the short downhill section at the cleft. 

The cleft

The cloud limited the views but clearly a big hole, not advised to fall into.
The one disadvantage of the heavy cloud is that every small top is another false dawn as the next one can then be seen in the gloom ahead. 

Rock Castle

The rock castle  was scrambled straight up. However we get there and have our lunch break sheltering just off the summit of An Caisteal at 995m.
Amazingly it was similar to last week on Bidean, as we ate, the cloud began to break and we got the stunning views. But, the weather front was on its way in big style.

Ben More & Stob Binnein

The views from here were full on 360 degree, all the Crianlarich and Tyndrum hills. A number of the Arrochar alps and Ben Lomond in isolation. Quite spectacular.

Tyndrum Hills

It was now good to see the route ahead as we descended towards the Bealach Buidhe, more minor scrambling en route. A couple of young runners came past, one a girl in a short sports dress, interesting hill attire. 
The path winds steeply up the flanks of Beinn a'Chroin, some steep drops might unnerve some. 

Bad step

Now we reached the ‘bad step’, Storer describes the technical term as ’manky thruthes’. Not really a step, more of a very short scramble but very awkward. Particularly if you have short levers like mine. The smoothed rock offering little finger holds so knees used but all made it. 

Dramatic skies over Beinn a'Chroin

As we progressed to the tops of Beinn a’Chroin thunderclaps were loud and very close. Impressive grey sky patterns. We did go to the second top (942m), the acknowledged true summit.
We omitted the East top to get off the ridge just as the thunder was accompanied by lightning. 

Electric charge in the (h)air

One major flash and the electrical charge was felt by some of the group, indeed the hair of one of the party stood on end and she felt it. More of the group said likewise.

Looking down the descent Coire Earb

The problem with big Munros is usually the long steep rocky descents and this was no exception. Speedily we descended as the thunder and lightning continued. In the dry it would be a good track but not today. Very wet and slippery rock meant full on concentration until with relief the boggy grassy flats were reached.
Now into Coire Earb proper and the extremely boggy and wet trudge back to the dam where we met the track to walk the mile or so back to the parking.
Another excellent walk with Ayr and District, stunning views at times and with that weather a walk some will remember longer than others.

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit.
Time: 6.15
Ascent: 3001ft (1153m)
Distance: 8.68m (15.4km)