Tyndrum Corbett double.....Cam Chreag & Beinn Charoach

Hill: Cam Chreag (884m) & Beinn Charoach (818m)

Type: Corbetts x 2

Today was my first big outing of the year with an assault on a pair of Corbetts that I have had hanging about my To-do list for too long.

After a big brekkie, too big actually, it was car defrosting time after a serious overnight frost. For once I had the luxury of only a 5 minute drive to my starting point, but slowly negotiated the last section as some serious potholes.

This is the start not the one on the other side of the bridge

Beinn Odhar directly ahead with Beinn Charoach on right

This ramble is not a regular route although the map suggests it should be. I headed up the track to the Shielings which should give me a good route to the bealach between the two Corbetts. I had read about meeting coos en route and it did not take long. Their feeder station’s surprise-surprise right beside the track with little room to avoid them. I got the evil eye but no more and was pleased to get that out of the way, the hardest part of the walk which would have to be repeated later.

The ridge of Cam Chreag appears far away

You can see the lines marking out the crofts

As I headed towards the shielings I noticed the fences on the hillside marking out the individual plots for each crofter. I am used to seeing these further north but not down here. The ground certainly looked like hard work required to get any reward.

Took the right fork at the shielings and the estate track up Glen Clachain took me a long way in towards the new plantation at a good gradient. The hard packed estate track now changed into the expected boggy mess. I am no expert but not too many of these trees looked like they were alive. The bulk of Ben Challum loomed over me on my right. I well remember that boggy walk.

Getting close

Cam Chreag ridge but you don't see the top until you are on it

This was a long walk in and slightly disheartening to be turning away from the target as I headed for the bealach. After existing the deer fenced tree plantation I decided to leave the faint atv track and head across the very rough ground to get to the bealach. Motivation higher as I was now heading towards my target.

Found track and broken fence

Onto the peat hagged bealach I was surprised, but pleased, to find a thin worn track. Certainly better than what I had been on before.

Precariously balanced rock

Foreground the 2 Corbetts from Auch with Orchy Munros behind

Charoch's humpack in foreground Beinn Odhar on right

Now the final stages of the climb to Cam Creag. Initially the track followed the broken fence line until it deviated leftwards but I want to go right. No track for the final assault to the top. Rough ground to be picked through and finally I was there. For the highest of the two Corbetts there was no marker of note. Never mind, the views made up for the tiredness in my legs, that had been a slog. Looking around I counted over twenty Munros and plenty of other hills, quite superb.

Track heads for the hags then find the fence

Heading down I had a boulder in mind as my marker and for once I picked the right one. Just after it I found the broken fence line back to the bealach. The descent was more tricky as icy ground kept trying to get me to heel slip.

Found the fence top on left

Back to the peat hags and from here I could see a faint track heading up the slopes of the 2^nd Corbett, Beinn Chaoroch. This was now just a long grassy plod. Reminded me of going up Shalloch on Minnoch but much drier. Further up some significant ice on the atv track but thereafter it was back to following the broken fence to the summit. 

Left to Right. Dubhcraig, Oss, Lui and Chuirn (the gold mountain)

Beinn Challuim

The summit of Cam Chreag shows up from here

Despite being significantly lower this had a trig and equally impressive views in all directions, counted 20+ Munros that I could identify.

Descent with Crianlarich Munros as backdrop

Legs getting sore glad to get off this descent

Looking back to the descent

There was a worn track beside the broken fence so I followed it until it disappeared. Thereafter it was a case of heading down the steep grassy slopes aiming for the shielings track which I could see from a long way off. This was a much longer descent than I expected and if I was only doing the one Corbett I would not be ascending this way. My knees were complaining so I was very pleased to get off the hillside.

Back same way to the coos. Two of them were sitting happily but as I neared up they rose along with my heartbeat. But again the evil eye was the only thing.

Back at the car and quicker than I expected. The couple of reports I had read suggested 6.5 to 7.5 hours. Now I know why I was feeling knackered, pushed too hard. Time for a shower and siesta, not sure in which order. Silence is golden once again. Just the noises of nature and nothing else.

Ascent: 972m

Distance: 15.8km

Time: 5.07

Wildlife: Buzzard; Field Vole; Raven

Blue sky ramble.....Creag Mhor Ballimore

Hill: Creag Mhor (Ballimore)

Type: Fiona

Height: 657m

After missing out on this hill a couple of times over the last year I was determined to get it off my to-do list. The weather was in my favour so lets get going.

I was doubting the weather forecast as I was driving through light drizzle heading to Glasgow. Greyness continued until I reached Callander where the skies ahead were brightening and by the time I arrived at Ballimore the sky was blue, yippee.

I parked up and studied the steep hillside ahead. From the map contours I knew this was going to be a steep grassy ascent and then a long trek behind what I could see from this spot.

Off I went up the track and found the gate I wanted, do not go via the deer fence gate. I had not been feeling great over the last couple of days and that showed straight away as I was feeling the legs and my breathing was laboured. The initial stretches were boggy and tussocky but this early in the season the going was fine. Lots of old cow pats so they get to roam these flanks.

A few steep sections brought me to a deer fence, don't remember reading about this on any previous reports. Luckily it was old wiring so I could squeeze through without climbing. Just after almost stood on a Snipe before it broke cover.

Getting steeper, view down to Strathyre

By the time I got camera out just the stragglers left

This is definitely a hill of false tops, I reckon at least six of them. Every time I thought my laboured progress was nearing the top another ridge could be seen, At least my physicality was improving. Stopped as a Snipe was sprung, holding its cover until I was almost on top of it. Soon after sent a herd of red deer running, mostly hinds but there was at least one stag, for the top, wish I could move like them.

Heading for the peat hags before the ridge and high point showing is not the summit

Finally I reached the ridge and it was a longish undulating ridge. The highest point looked far away with lots of ups and downs. I found a trail of sorts, human or deer I do not know but it was welcomed. It skirted the worst of the peat hags that I had descended into and brought me back to the ridge proper.

Summit is the rough hump in the middle

Along I went and of course when I reached the high point of the ridge I realised the true high point was further on. An upturned mica-schist deposit apparently. Another descent and up but on a glorious day like this it was a case of just do it and don't complain. Another deer herd scattered running down the very steep slopes towards Loch Voil.

Ben More & Stob Binnein with The Stob nearest

Zoomed in very rough ground

Ben Vane foremost with Ledi behind

Arrived at the unmarked summit and it is a cracking viewpoint. Not a lot of snow around but the big beasts still held some, Ben More & Stob Binnein etc. The Lawer range could just be seen in the distance. Vorlich & Co were clear as was Ledi and its kin. What is not to like about this vista, stunning and blue skies to boot. From the weather predictions there could be a lot more white around next week.

Descending to the peat hags. On skyline is Vorlich, Chroin & Each

Ballimore farm

Took it all in before heading back the same way. The walk time seemed longer than the reality but overall I was glad it happened on a good weather day. The views are too good to be considered a make weight on a journey to or from so called better hills.

Couldn't resist adding reflections on Loch Earn just after the walk

Ascent: 532m

Distance: 6.01km

Time: 2.49

Wildlife: Snipe; Raven; Red deer hinds; Meadow Pipit

Hill that has another hill on top.....Shee of Ardtalnaig

Hill: Shee of Aldtarnaig (Pointed Hill) and Ciste Bhuide a’ Claidheimh (Yellow chest of the sword)

Type: Fiona

Height: 759m

My legs were still feeling the recent efforts so I changed my plans and went for a hill that had some good tracks to start with. This has been on my to-do list for a while but I had it planned as a bike/hike outing but plans can change.

The familiar drive along the single track hoping to not meet anything large coming the other way, success. Parked up at Milton of Aldtalnaig, on the banks of Loch Tay, where as I changed I shivered, it was decidedly cooler than previous mornings.

The walk started by following the right of way that takes you all the way to the Sma Glen if you want a long distance walk. Initially it is a steep start, but at least it is a tarmac road for 2km to Claggan Farm. I could hear a woodpecker hammering away in the nearby woods and soon after spotted this at a bird feeder. I don't think it was the same bird as it is either a female or juvenile, no red crown showing, but nevertheless my first of the year. I also suspect that this is a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Pointed Hill of Shee comes into view

There is a lower track avoiding the farm, it shown on map which starts just before this burn

But there is a right of way through the farm buildings and there is also a bypass route on your left. However, I spoke to the farmer at his gate and he encouraged me to use the through way.

After that there is a long section of estate track that flanks the north west side of the hill. It gives good views of the barren moor below and the flanks of the Corbett the impressive Creag Gharb ridge off to my right.

You could go straight up the ruined dyke

Rear side of Auchnafree Hill

Attention required to take care to take the cut off on the left which zig zags up the flanks before ending abruptly. If you miss it you will just need to climb the flanks.

Time to get the poles out as the ground ahead is proper moorland. As expected of a grouse moor hill plenty of heather along with tussocks and boggy patches. But there are enough green patches that allowed me to meander between the heather. Delighted to flush a mountain hare, another first this year. Spotted one 3 more times but unsure if it was the same animal.

The broad ridge is longer than I expected and is peat hag ridden but I have walked through a lot worse than this. A faint ATV track comes and goes, at times boggy but slightly easier walking. Keep looking for the white posts that mark the grouse grit boxes and the track should be nearby. But even when it is lost the overall going is fine.

Ciste Buidhe a'Claidheimh rises from the moor

The summit is in view and surprises me as it looks a sizeable hill from here rising out of the moorland in the distance. 

I am alone apart from the many red grouse that rise and fly away rapidly with their comic call berating me for disturbing them. Frog spawn covers the tops of the ponds and although I spot a few frogs in the water it is just too early for the mating calls.

The cleft of Bual a'Claidheimh

I had forgotten about the hills famous cleft created by a rock slip many moons ago. The track goes very close and could be a hazard if descending this way in poor conditions. Still in this flattish landscape it is a fine sight.

Looking across to the Corbett of Creagan na Beinne

At least the summit is marked. There are now views of Ben Chonzie, top in cloud. Also looking down into Glen Almond and the track to the Sma Glen. The wind suddenly increased and it was really cold, feel like zero so did not hang around.

Descending back to the hags

On the descent there is excellent views of the nearby Corbett of Creagan na Beinne which brought back good memories from last year.

I spotted movement amongst the hags and I soon met up with another walker, brief chat, he was including the Corbett, a long slog.

Looking back to the finish with Lawers Munros under cloud

On the descent I headed down the grassy slopes to eliminate some of the zig zag track. Joined up with the out track and enjoyed a gentle descent back to the car, taking the bypass track at the farm.

Just what the doctored ordered. I enjoyed that ramble today, enough ascent to make it a decent ramble but the terrain was more friendly and just what my legs needed.

Ascent: 662m

Distance: 13.2km

Time: 3.12

Wildlife: Mountain hare; Red Grouse; Pheasant; Great Tit; Greater Spotted Woodpecker; Red Squirrel; Meadow Pipit; Raven; Common Frog.