Hills: Beinn Chabhair
Date: Saturday 5th June 2021
Company: Myself and Becky
Distance: 15.6km, Ascent: 895m
Time: 6Hrs 20Mins
Having not ascended a new Munro since 2017, it was
fantastic when my daughter asked this weekend if I could take her up a
Munro. The answer was of course "yes" and I immediately booked a hotel for a
trip down to Crianlarich to ascend Beinn Chabhair. If you live in the
central belt, the Crianlarich hills are very accessible however staying in
North Aberdeenshire these hills are a four hour journey from home so an
overnight stay would make the trip somewhat more enjoyable.
On
Saturday morning, after devouring a fairly awesome breakfast in the hotel, I
drove to Glen Falloch for our ascent of Beinn Chabhair. I opted to park at
the start of the track leading to a small hydro scheme where there is
limited parking. This allows for an easy initial ascent with dry feet
instead of suffering the bog on the usual route up from Inverarnan.
Just as we were setting off a group of women approched and asked if I
knew the location of the West Highland Way track which they had managed to
lose despite the waymarking. After pointing them in the right direction, we
were on our way.
The hydro track crosses the West Highland Way track
and then zig-zags up the lower slopes of the hill. During the initial ascent
we stopped briefly to look across to the railway line on the other side of
Glen Falloch. As Becky had not hillwalked in some time, I advised that we
could take as long as necessary and that there was no need to rush.
Looking across Glen Falloch towards the railway line:
As we progressed upwards, Beinn Chabhair came into view. We were the
only walkers making use of this excellent hydro track with all other walkers
ascending from Inverarnan. Sometimes following a book route or Walk
Highlands route doesn't make sense
.
Wide
track leading to small hydro scheme:
Just before reaching the two small hydro schemes our hydro track joined
the track up from Inverarnan from which numerous walkers were ascending the
hill.
At the small hydro scheme:
On reaching the small waterfall, which was just a trickle owing to the
recent hot spell, we stopped to take some photographs and have a drink.
Small waterfall:
Beyond the waterfall the track is normally a bit of a bogfest but again
owing to the recent warm spell the ground was mostly dry.
Beinn
Chabhair ahead:
We followed the grassy track to Lochan Beinn Chabhair and then commenced
our ascent towards Meall nan Tarmachan.
Onto the track beyond Lochan
Beinn Chabhair:
On reaching the upper slopes of Meall Tarmachan I decided to put Becky
onto a rope and short-rope the final ascent to and from the summit. Having
last ascending this hill in the winter of 2003 I couldn't recall how much
hands-on there was, if any. I did recall that one of my friends felt
uncomfortable during my 2003 ascent but that was likely due to snow and ice.
As it turns out there was nothing difficult during the ascent or descent
but being on a rope can provide confidence. I led the way during the ascent
and Becky led the way during the descent as is normal practice when guiding.
One of numerous rocky
knolls:
Ascending Beinn Chabhair:
The track ascending the upper slopes of Beinn Chabhair is good and very
obvious.
Looking back during ascent:
Approaching the summit cairn:
During the ascent we could see incoming weather but thankfully we
managed to reach the summit to get a view before the cloud descended to
cover the top.
Becky decided to trial an Osprey Talon 8 pack during
this walk which you can see in the next photo. I bought this a few years ago
but have since rarely used it.
At the summit of Beinn Chabhair:
Looking back at the ascent ridge from the summit of Beinn Chabhair:
During the descent we had a few spots of rain but nothing warranting the
need to put on waterproofs.
Looking back in descent:
Lochan Beinn Chabhair:
We returned to the car via the same route again making use of the good
hydro track in descent.
The walk out:
Looking down to starting point:
Guide books and internet reports advise of bog hell on this hill. At the
the end of the walk my trail shoes were pretty-much completely dry so this
hill can definitely be done with dry feet given the right conditions and
choice of route.