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This was one of the most
incredible days I've ever had out in the mountains thus far, if not the
best. There were many aspects to this hillwalk that makes it so special in my
mind: one for example being the solo aspect. Another
part was the weather, as stated above. The landscape looked amazing, the lack of clouds
were absolutely incredible, and the sky above was just pure, pure blue. There
were some snow fields lying about yet the sun was out and it was warm at points
too. I doubt you could ask for a much better day hillwalking. Last of all was
the fact that I had new equipment. I walked ten miles and climbed 6000 vertical
feet, which is beyond anything I'd done before, although my feet were just fine!
They hurt a little afterwards, but they were warm, dry and comfortable almost
the whole way. (Thanks to my new boots. At £140 they bloody well better have
been good!) Gaiters also helped keep the water out and trousers clean and the
trekking poles (all new stuff by the way) really took the essential weight off
my legs to make it a long, yet incredibly satisfying day out. Anyway ... onwards...
Beinn Narnain
There was the first period of good weather coming through in weeks it
seemed so on the 11th, I was finally dropped off at Arrochar and be allowed to set off up the hills on my own.
Dad ran me up to Arrochar on the Tuesday morning. We left at 7.35am and couldn't
see more than 200 metres ahead of us. The mist was everywhere, yet I knew that
if I were to go 200 feet up, there was incredible sunshine. It was miserable
when we arrived in Arrochar (8.45am) although Dad dropped me off, and I began
walking. My plan was to begin with Beinn Narnain and work my way around Ime,
Luibhean and the Cobbler last, like in a large round trip. Mum would pick me up
at 3pm so I had to time everything around that.
I began walking on the path up the Cobbler, although a bit bored at the idea of
using this zigzagging path again, I took the old tramline path up. It was far
more interesting, and was something I hadn't fully tried before. As I ascended
out of the mist, the most incredible view was before me. This river of cloud
extended all the way down Loch Long and beyond, and the hills threw great
shadows onto the mist. Yet above, the sky was an incredible blue and somehow the
landscape looked very rich. I continued up with these great views, never really
out of breath however; the trekking pole make a very noticeable difference in my
progress. I'd have to use this path again, it was quieter and was a direct way
up rather than fooling around taking zigzags back and forth. Bad practice
though, the Forestry Commission (I believe) would possibly hate me for using it.
I reached 1100 feet where the vertical path ended and I expected a road running
around the side of Narnain to begin. However, I found nothing but a small worn
path. 'Odd', I thought. there should have been a track somewhere and after
searching around a bit, I followed the small path
Turned out that that was the way I needed to go, and after following it I came
to the dam below the Cobbler. I continued along the valley, and passed some
people (possibly in the TA) who were the first I'd seen all day. I cut up the
side of Narnain and after a bit of a slog I reached the summit at 10.35am.
It took 110 minutes to reach the top which wasn't too bad going. From here views
essentially blew my mind. To the south the peaks of Arran soared from the mist
and it was absolutely breathtaking. The cloud in the valleys continued all the
way to the southern horizon. To the north, I could see Ben Nevis and some other
peaks, possibly to the north of Loch Ness. Ben Alder was there as well as Bidean
nam Bian. I could see so much around about, and under the deep blue sky and low
sun, the hills had a lot of form. As I said, it was an incredible day!
I had a good rest, and ate a lot of food. Tried phoning mum and even though I
bought myself a Vodaphone SIM card, (better signal) I had zero signal there. I
had a look to the north and took pictures of the ascent route Dink and I took
back in November '07. It was incredibly steep with a lot of crags so I was
probably glad I wasn't ascending by that route this time! (although there was no
ice this time which was the problem before, it was still a steep route.
Beinn Ime
I put on my new gaiters as the route to Beinn Ime would be boggy and began the
descent. As I began to descend I encountered a Ptarmigan. Took some photos close
up, because it didn't fly away, it just hopped to the next rock as I came
closer. Moving on however, I got signal half way down to the Bealach a' Mhaim
and phoned mum, to tell her I was fine and doing excellently.
After crossing the bealach I began the slow ascent up Ime. It was very broad
from this angle, and I battered on with it, slowly making progress. I paced
myself quite nicely, and it turned out not to be even a slog. Approaching the
snow fields higher up were some fun, although rather glaring which I crossed
them. The snow was very icy by the point, and although I nearly fell on my bum
at one point, it wasn't steep enough for me to need to kick steps.
I got to the last section where an actual path was established and got to the
top at 12.15pm. There was an old man there who took my photograph before
leaving. I sat and admired the views once more and although I made slower
progress up Beinn Ime than I'd hoped (1 hour 15 minutes across from Narnain) I
was making good time. I sat on the summit for a while, got my strength back, ate
some food and had water. The views here, I'd say were even more astounding than
from Narnain (however no cloud inversion) I could see the Cairngorms from here!
As well as almost every peak in Central Scotland from Ben More on Mull to Ben
MacDui.
Additionally, on his hillwalk I wanted to observe how far I could go with
sufficient rest and food, because I hoped with new ways of keeping myself going
such as comfortable feet and trekking poles to spread the load, how far could I
go? I really made a point of leaving the summits when I felt good about going
on.
The Cobbler
I left the summit of Ime around 1pm (approximately) and began descending down to
the Cobbler. I left out Beinn Luibhean, because as much as I would have done it
I was a bit pressed for time. On the descent back to Bealach a' Mhaim the snow
fields made for some quick progress, yet otherwise it was a leisurely descent.
However on arrival at the bealach, I found the heel on my left foot was rubbing
(dammit, those boots fitted perfectly!) so I stopped, sat in the grass, while
basking in the cool warmth of the sun, I added an extra sock underneath. Did the
trick and I was largely fine after that. By this point it was 1.20pm and if I
were to be back at Arrochar for 3pm, I'd need to make a speedy ascent. It would
take about an hour to get down from the Cobblers summit which would leave me
with forty minutes to get up. I left the bealach at half past, and I surprised
myself. I climbed the last section in 25 minutes! It was a fast ascent time for
me but in addition, I already had 4500 vertical feet behind me. So to make that
much progress after I'd worked myself so hard earlier was surprising to say the
least. As I worked my way up I felt like I was going very quickly, because I
held a fast pace all the way up. After passing behind the north peak, I had to
kick some steps into the icy snow to prevent myself slipping. All was fine
though, and I got to the top of the Cobbler, my ninth ascent of it at 1.55pm.
Descent
I briefly spoke to an old guy there although he soon left. I ate the last of my
food, and packed up my stuff and headed down after ten minutes there. The
descent down was also quite leisurely, possibly because the trekking pole took
so much pressure off my legs. I could describe the descent as a sort of
controlled fall, because I jumped down sections, and used the way I fell to get
me down sections that little bit quicker. I jumped into an area of snow just
after the Cobblers bealach and ended up with snow up to my waist! Happened twice
as well, quite funny.
After that, there wasn't much to say, asides the sun was now going low in the
sky and I needed to get back to Arrochar. Descended by the horrid zigzagging
path (nice views though), and met mum at the car park at 3.15pm. It was a nice
drive back home and rounded off an absolutely excellent day. I arrived back at
the car with only slightly sore feet but had done so much more climbing than any
other time before. (10 miles almost exactly) The solo aspect was great and the
weather was absolutely unbeatable.
Unforgettable day.
Written 2008-02-13
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