Hill: Beinn na Lap (Dappled Hill)
Type: Munro
Height: 935m
Today brought beautiful clear blue skies and unseasonably warm temperatures for this time of the year. This resulted in a last minute decision to ascend this Munro which I missed out on when doing my 100. Now it was on my ‘too good to have missed out’ list. As it turned out this was the 4th time I had planned to do this this year. I knew there were superb views so I was being fussy and the 1st two allotted dates were abandoned due to the poor weather forecast. The third time was just last month and another last minute good weather day but I was caught up in a road crash and missed the train by literally 1 minute, lots of bad language that day. There is no road access so it is either the train or a walk/bike hike in.
Today all was going well until I rounded Loch Lomond until all traffic on the ahead came to a halt. I then clocked that I had not noticed any traffic going south for some time, oh dear. As it turned out it was a very large vehicle that everyone was stopping for, no scraped paintwork thanks.
When I arrived at Crianlarich station I was early and it was already warm. The train was on time, all was good. A busy train but a scenic trip, what could be seen out of filthy windows, come on Scotrail this is a major tourist route.
Reached Corrour Station and as I had plenty of time I headed to the cafe for a brekkie roll and coffee, Nope too late for brekkie roll, lunch menu only. Really, how many customers are here that menus can be so time prescriptive. Even then they could have started the lunch menu 20 minutes after this train as not another one for a few hours.
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| Beinn na Lap on left |
Off along the trail I went, munching my trail food of nuts and dried fruit, healthier I suppose but it's not the same. The hill and the ridge running high above Loch Ossian, which was a picturesque view in its own right, stunning blue water.
I had already removed any outer layers before I reached the point to depart the estate track and head up the boggy grassy track. It was warm.
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| Boggy trail clear to see |
The trek up to the ridge at Ceann Caol was just a good gradient slog. The track was boggy but not as bad as I feared so just kept following the drier sections zig zagging all the way. A few stops to wipe away the sweat from my eyes were also good opportunities to take in the views. I had plenty of time but there is only so slow I can go. One has a natural walking hill rhythm so better sticking to it.
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| Pointed peak of Schiehallion |
At Ceann Caol the track took a right turn and became a gentler gradient as it headed NE towards the summit. The ground became rockier underfoot but nothing to cause concern. The views were increasingly spectacular.
There were a few small directional cairns dotted around, not always helpful. I spotted a circular cairn in the distance, this was it but no, it was a shelter and a good viewpoint but looking around clearly not the top.
Across stonier ground I walked around a small lochan, the main sheltered circular cairn and summit was now just ahead.
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| Panorama from summit from Bridge of Orchy Munros on left through to Glenco ones on right |
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| Grey Corries |
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| Zoomed in to the back of Ben Nevis a view most walkers don't see |
Truly on a day like this this it was a 360deg viewpoint like no other. Despite the warm weather the air quality was a clear air and all that held you back was your own eyesight, quite magnificent. I cannot remember if I have ever seen so many high tops at a viewpoint before. The bulky rear end of Ben Nevis looked odd, totally different from its normal Fort William view, as it is a perspective not seen by many.
For the very fit with other transport arrangements this Munro can be linked to the Fersit Munros but that was definitely not on my agenda.
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| On descent the Corbett Leum Uilleum dominates |
The descent was intended to be via retracing the ascent route. But I was following a faint track through the stony ground where I spotted a cairn and headed for it. I assumed it was the ascent cairn but it just didn't feel right. Took a bit of time to check where I was then I realised I was off my ascent track. Some rough ground was crossed before I reached the upward track. I don't know if it marked an old route but it proved a reminder that not all cairns are helpful.
On the muddy track it was a slow descent with plenty of time to take in the views of this truly wild landscape.
Having missed out on my brekkie roll a cold beer (or two) and a saddle of venison sandwich finished the ramble perfectly. What a stunning day, a short Munro but one to remember fondly.
Ascent: 577m
Distance: 10.2km
Time: 4.25
Wildlife: Meadow Pipit; Peacock butterfly; Gold ringed dragonfly
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