Arrochar Outing

As we were holidaying beside Dunfermline we decided to get a couple of southern Munros bagged, so we headed over to Arrochar early Saturday morning. We arrived at the car park around 8:45 to find plenty of parking spaces, a little dismayed at the parking charges though, total rip-off of £9 for the day.

After crossing the road we passed the fox and just before the first turning headed up through the trees on what looks like a small stream, but a small path does emerge that seems to sometimes follow the stream bed. The route is steep at times and often with overhanging branches. Once past the tree line the path remains steep but progress is much easier.

Once we reached the first flatter section, we stopped for a break taking in the great views of Loch Long and the Cobbler and helped Ailidh and Toni recover as they we struggling a bit this morning due to lack of sleep.

After the next small climb the first target of the day came in to view, the Spearhead, which initially looks quite imposing. Once at the base the climb up to the Spearhead is quite steep and rocky, requiring some hands on at times and the gully on the right side is pretty straightforward with only one large step requiring you to pull yourself up.

We popped up for photo of the cairn on the Spearhead before the last very small ascent to reach the trig point for Beinn Narnain, which also has a rock pile a little to the north west which looks higher. We stopped here for another quick refuel, but unfortunately the clouds had rolled in and we got no views.

Continuing west we descended towards the Bealach between the Cobbler and Beinn Ime, the path quite rocky and steep at times and towards the path on the Bealach quite wet. Typical for us, it appeared that all three summits were cloud free now!

Heading north we followed the well made path through the gate and up the steep slope, we managed to keep up a good pace to the false summit, then a quick last effort up to the summit of Beinn Ime. We took a longer break at the top, but we lucked out again with no clear top, but did get chatting with a lady from Dunfermline that gave us some good info on the hills surrounding our holiday cottage.

The descent started by retracing our steps back to the Bealach, Ailidh and Toni made the decision not to include the Cobbler today so we continued down the well made path which runs alongside the Allt a' Bhalachain.

Just past the small dam, the path enters the wooded area and shortly starts zig zagging, eventually reaching a rough track. Heading along the track to the left until we found a bench on the right and the path down. Again a series of zig zags, but a few with shortcut paths. Once back at the car we brewed up for some coffee and hot chocolate before the longish drive back home.

There were are lot of people out walking today, unfortunately a lady we passed at the lower Cobbler path had injured herself, but had plenty of people to help. At the track at the bottom we encountered a waiting Ambulance, we hope she has a speedy recovery.