7.53 miles 919m ascent 4h 39m
The weather on the way up to to Beinglas was dreadful with plenty of standing water on the roads. Each time we drove through one of these monster puddles the windscreen was drenched like a ride on a log flume. Not a good omen for a weekend’s walking.
having arrived at Beinglas Farm we found the road completely under fast flowing water, but intrepid Joanna (4WD off-road experience) got us across. Car #2 was given directions for the back road, an adventure in itself.
After all that we needed rehydration and calories. The food was very good, though the Beinglas belly-buster burger beat both David and myself into submission. No room for sweets.
Excellent rooms, so after a good sleep and full scottish breakfast we were good to go the next morning. The weather had improved. The flooding had receeded but the clouds were still low. David had several alternative walks so we decided to head for the car park at the Cobbler and decide there if it was to be hill or low level walk. Luckily the cloud decided to lift.
Having parked at the top of Loch Long we crossed the road and headed up the path. Zig-zagging up the first hundred metres warmed us up. As we climbed higher and came above the trees the views improved. Ben Lomond was visible above Arrochar and we could see down Loch Long to the Royal Navy munitions depot. Loch Long is gaelic for ship lake, and Arrochar to Tarbet is where the Vikings took their longships overland to raid the shores of Loch Lomond.
I had a minor upset having stopped to doff my fleece and finding I no longer had my camera. Last held 100m back down the hill. I searched my pockets and my bag, but no camera. With a sigh I asked Joanna to mind my rucksack while I walked back down and moved the rucksack off the path. And there was the camera, on the floor under the rucksack.
The path is steep, but once the small dam on the Buttermilk Burn is reached the gradient eases considerably and we got our first good views of the Cobbler. Initially there was a dusting of cloud on the summit lending it a rather brooding appearance but as we climbed further the cloud base lifted and the hill was bathed in sunlight. With the autumn colours of the bracken and sunlit grey of the rocks a camera’s delight.
David forged ahead and was waiting for us at the Nanairn boulders, something to do with the need for privacy. From here we left the main path to cross the burn and head up into the rocks for a spot of scrambling. I find that my mind confuses that word with scrabbling and I feel my rather slow progress up the rocks needs another description. (Straggling?)
I certainly feel achievement after straggling up rocks, even if it is only the mountaineering equivalent of swimming a breadth in the shallow end. The rocky path then led us up to the north peak, and spectacular views of the Arrochar alps, Lochs Long, Lomond, and Ben Lomond. We even had a glimpse of the steam train on the West Highland Railway.
Lunch was on the North peak. The packed lunches from Beinglas were well named. My sandwich was so packed that I couldn’t finish it. My loss, Oscar’s gain.
Time for a choice. Back down, centre peak or Beinn Nanairn? Down we went and then up to the true summit to peer through the eye. That done we decided to head off the hill. The path down the back of the hill was a gentle stroll for the most part, with views of Beinn Ime, the Beinn Nanairn and for the later part Ben Lomond.
As we neared the Nanairn Boulders again Oscar did what all dogs must do. He jumped into a muddy pool, and then ran over to us to shake himself dry.
I hadn’t realised how steep the lower path was until we were going back down, but down is sooo much easier than up. It was a joy to see some youngsters trudging slowly up as we flew down.
After a brief stop at a pottery to admire the salt pigs we headed back to base only to find the A82 closed due to a car accident. This forced us to take refreshment at the Tarbet Hotel until the road opened.
A great walk in unexpectedly good walking weather with the right mix of walking, straggling (scrambling), views and coffee. Good choice David.
[osmap gpx=”http://www.screel.co.uk/walks/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/RK_gpx-_2010-10-30_1029.gpx”]
