Stuc a' Chroin from Edinample via The Prow....An adrenalin filled scramble

Hill: Stuc a' Chroin (Peak of the sheepfold)

Type: Munro

Height: 975m

The Munro of Stuc a' Chroin has at least 4 main routes that can be used so today our ramble was via a lesser used route from Edinample.

It begins with a straightforward walk along the estate track beside a raging river. The forecast was mixed but at least dry to start. The estate has blocked off various sections of this track but detours made to reach the initial climb which makes use of their hydro track to climb 500m in good time, that got the breathing going.

On descent the burn on right had to be crossed

First sight of the Prow in the cloud

From here a good look down at the burn which was running fast and furious, we had to get over this on our descent, hmmm. We hear a couple of roaring stags so the rut not over yet.

The vertical section is where we are going to scramble. yikes

Still hiding in the cloud but nearly there

The beginning of the scramble the top is a long way behind the top you can see

Next a moorland tramp to reach the connecting trail from Ben Our or the Vorlich bypass. The contouring trail was very boggy but most of our focus was on the view ahead, the flanks of the Prow of Stuc a' Chroin. Drifting in and out of cloud it looked steep and menacing. There is a bypass track but we were scrambling today.

Storer makes a few interesting comments about this approach:

1. "Adrenalin junkies will find exhalating scrambling of all grades on the crest of the Prow". (Even more unnerving today with wet rock and steep wet grassy patches)
2. There is also a path you have to negotiate at times. He says "be advised, however, that the upper section of the path is now so worn, gritty, steep and exposed that it may fill you with feelings other than exhilaration". ( Absolutely accurate, a few don't look down moments lol. Full concentration required. At one point I had to rely on gripping loose moss it to haul myself up, If it gave way I was heading down fast, a moment to remember ).

Starting the scramble camera was packed away after this until the top reached

That was a nervy ascent and not one that would be to everyone's appeal and definitely not for inexperienced scramblers or trouble with exposure. 

Small summit cairn on real top as Ben Vorlich begins to show itself

Now getting good views

Our approach track can be seen contouring Ben Vorlich

It was with relief to reach the top and then the half a kilometre walk to the true summit. As we had lunch the cloud broke and we got some excellent views, particularly of Ben Each and the moor approach from Callander, and definitely the coldest day of the year so far. All spare layers on up top.

Red deer spotted if you zoom in you might spot them on the plateau

Creag Dubh

Part of our ascent ridge and Ben Vorlich behind, showers off for 10 minutes

A more 'gentle' (and far safer) descent over rough ground along the grassy ridge to Creag Dubh where we spooked a stag with 8 hinds, off they ran. Another herd spotted down by the burn.

At the burn we managed to cross just below the hydro dam but higher water would make it very difficult or a detour required. 

Beside the track this was spotted, one deer less but strange to see butchered remains left beside a water course.

On the track out we were held up for 15 minutes in the rain as the estate were massacring pheasants on the track, what a sport!!

A good walk on a different route for me.

Ascent: 918m

Distance: 14.9km

Time: 5.56

Wildlife: Red deer; Pheasant; Raven; Dipper;

A very warm day for a double.....Ben Oss & Beinn Dhubcraig

Hill: Beinn Dhubcraig (Black Crag mountain) (978m) & Ben Oss (Elk mountain!) (1029m)

Type: Munro x2

Ascent: 1253m

Another pair on my To-Do list for too long so an opportune time to get these ticked off. Forecast was good for today but turned out too good, the hottest September day for over 100 years but that was with hindsight. And it made a straightforward route a toughie, numpty.

Where are the mountains?

The weather was definitely variable. When I started from the Kings Field it was dense fog, yip where is that hill.

Spiders webs everywhere, not so nice tangled in your hair

The initial section through one of Scotland's best preserved ancient pine forests was not exactly seen at its best with the fog but it was still atmospheric at times. 

Tick heaven

I was surprised at how narrow the track was, hemmed in by trees and bracken. I past an English couple at the new bridge, never saw them again maybe they should have been on the West Highland Way?

The track has a reputation for being muddy and indeed it was in many places. This was after the prolonged dry spell so I would not want to do it after normal Scottish weather. Also the track is lined with tree branches which in these damp conditions were like ice if caught at the wrong angle.

Glad to be out of the trees and onto moorland. This section is still pretty boggy. At one point a testing prod saw my walking pole disappear in the gloop up to the first lever and would have gone deeper.

Ben Challum on right Tyndrum Corbetts left 

The hills were coming out of the cloud but looking back the fog sill lingered over Tyndrum and the A82.

There is a basic track all the way to the ridge following the burn with cascading waterfalls, a soothing accompaniment. But on the final ascent I was quickly feeling weak, not the weather as it was now a cool breeze. Last week I was floored for a day, thought it was Covid but not. Yesterday the good lady squealed look at your leg. A bright red circle. I suspect that bite was what floored me and possibly the effects still lingered.

On the ridge I had a food break and a blether to a guy who was in front of me. After the food felt better and headed up to Beinn Dhubcraig on its gentle gradient. 

In the haze Ben Oss ahead with peaked Ben Lui behind

Nice top just a pity the haze spoilt the southerly views over Loch Lomond. The views over Crianlarich & Tyndrum hills much better.

I don't like retracing steps on a walk but this was a short retrace as I trekked back to the mini lochans before heading for Oss.

Ben Oss from the lochanns

Although I had studied the route it hadn't clicked how much of a drop there was between the two hills. Probably only about 100m but it was steep and stony. My mindset also clicked that it also meant a third climb later. At times a very slippy stony descent where it was hands on at sections.

Beinn Chuirn and Colonish mine

A long slow plod up the 270m of slopes to Ben Oss. It was now super hot and draining. I was in tortoise mode but I got there encouraged by the stunning views of Ben Lui on my flank.

Ben Lui's great corrie from Ben Oss

I was also thanking the lord that there was no way I was going there today.  I did meet a guy here who had climbed Chleib & Lui and decided to do the 4. Good luck getting back to your car from Dalrigh.

Beinn Dubhcraig seen from Oss

Back down the same way to climb the previous descent.  As I started my left groin went into cramping spasms, what pain. At least the breathing on the climb was now the least of my concerns. Every left step was slow and painful as the muscle spasmed. 

View down to Loch Lomond across the peat bogs

I altered my stride to short steps, straight in line with my body which I also changed to a taller posture. Thankfully these steps calmed it down considerably and I got to the ridge. Downhill all the way after that.

Long walk back

i returned the same way obviously moving carefully. Look at the map this is a long descent and it felt like it. It was now full on blue sky and proper heat. Thankfully my water lasted until near the car but I could probably have done with another couple of litres.

A fine walk and a big walk. Similar distance and ascent to the recent Dalmally pair but this felt much tougher on the day.

Staying locally so time for a cold beer as this was the 100 target achieved. A good feeling despite the sore groin. A nights rest will determine if tomorrows walk happens.

Distance: 17.7km

Time: 7.19

Wildlife: Wheatear; Jay; Raven; 

Not the full range just the singular.....Cairn Gorm

Hill: Cairn Gorm

Type: Munro

Height: 1245m

On a family break but given some free time, at least enough for a quick morning outing. Fog scuppered this on previous days but the forecast was better for today, at least some views predicted.

This is probably one of the best known Munro names even if its ascent is less than inspiring. However, it does stand at an impressive 6th in the height table. I would have liked to have included Ben MacDui to make it a proper walk but time was not going to allow that.

I opted for easier start from the Sugar Bowl car park where the funicular is out of action and requiring an enormous amount of tax payer money to repair it, someone is laughing all the way to the bank. It is a proper scandal.

After finding my way around the building site the initial section certainly got the body going, it was a steep but well constructed path.

Cloud lifting view back to car park

Short and sharp but not long before I entered the clouds, so much for Met Office forecast of being clear of cloud by this time. I did not emerge from them until almost at the Ptarmigan. After that it was blue sky with clouds clinging to the corries great views and some heat.

Tourist track and my descent

I took the Marquis Well route, contouring the hill, which opened up some more tops peaking through the clouds. On a clearer day far ranging views.

It doesn't show but Ben Hope was poking out

Good indicator of where cloud level peaked

From the summit Aviemore was still under cloud but looking further afield some peaks sticking their tops out to the north. One very isolated peak, much internal debate, surely can only be Ben Hope.

A good 10 minutes taking it all in. A couple of guys in dungarees with hard hats appeared, I thought they were going to the mast. Nope they were funicular workers who wanted to see the top, wonder if they were being paid our money for that? 

Tourist track

Aviemore coming into view

I decided to return via the tourist path and thankfully the clouds disappeared fairly quickly over a 10 minute spell to give me something to look at. Loch Morlich and Aviemore prominent.

A short outing but it got the legs and lungs going again. Back down in time for a short afternoon ramble hopefully followed up with coffee & cake with the family, bonus points all round.

Ascent: 753m

Distance: 7.51km

Time: 2.47

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit,

Could not see much yellow.....Meall Buidhe (Glen Lyon)

Hill: Meall Budhie (Glen Lyon) (Yellow Hill)

Type: Munro

Height: 932m

Today was meant to be a double up and down Munro bash but the forecasted weather made me think twice. I had a long drive to the start and heavy rain was forecast to arrive between 2 & 3. Additionally a grey day with thick cloud so nae views so only one hill.

It was also meant to be a completion of my Glen Lyon Munros, maybe tomorrow.

Met a huge timber tractor vehicle on the very narrow road but thankfully we got past each other as I headed to the normal starting spot at Loch an Daimh. One car parked up (never saw them) and another arrived as I was walking off. Looked a bit of an odd chap and I barely got an acknowledgement as I walked away.

There are another two Corbetts down there somewhere in the gloom

There were low clouds around and drizzle as I started. I suppose this route breaks into three sections.

The estate route

Following the stalking advice I took the standard route (path 1) up-to the the main plateau. A decent gradient and slightly boggy but decent progress made.

Loch na Daimh

Section 2 is the peat hags, I seem to have come across much more of these than normal over the last few months. An intermittent track through the hags but again could have been a lot worse. Then a short pull up to the cairn at Meall a’ Phuill (possibly the hill of the mud, I wonder why?)

Open top

Further on small cairn not sure for what

Section 3 is the ridge walk to the summit with Glas Choire on your right but seen much better on the return. When the clouds lifted this was a very green coire definitely not grey. Lots of deer droppings but none spotted.

Top in view

Reached the summit cairn where I am assured there are spectacular views over Loch Rannoch, Scheihallion, Ben Nevis and lots more, but not for me today.

Looking back

Returned by the same route passing Mr Odd on the ridge, who was accompanied by his obvious clone, son of Mr Odd, poor boy. Again a brief nod from Mr Odd but nothing from junior, not even an eye glance, brought up well!!

At the far end clouds still not coming over the ridge

Great views of the atmospheric clouds swooping into the corries but never coming over the tops onto the ridge. Superb atmospheric viewing and I’m glad I am seeing some views.

Descent across the hags

Looking down on the northern parts of Loch an Daimh it is still so low on water.

Stuc an Lochain and big shadow on the loch

On the descent I was now getting good views of the companion hill, Stuc an Lochain. I was studying the ascent route so much that somewhere I missed a turn from my ascent route. I realised things were not as they should be but no big deal as I was still on a well worn path so followed this back down to the estate trail. At one point I could see three walkers at the point where I left the track and started my ascent. Clearly they had seen me and spent a bit of time debating the route before heading up my ascent route. I was too far away to shout but either start would have done for Section 1.

The weather had held up although heavy grey clouds were still threatening to drop those heavy showers.

An enjoyable short walk and surely one of the quickest Munros to bag.

Ascent: 555m

Distance: 9.01

Time: 2.43

Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Hooded Crow; Golden Plover; Wheatear,