An Caisteal & Beinn a’Chroin

(31,8,13) An Caisteal & Beinn a’Chroin, 6.5 hours, 15km, ascent 1095m

Lucas picked me up at 6am and headed up by Crianlarich for 8sh. There was blue sky but it didnt last as we headed under the railway and uphill as the win battered us with drizzly rain, S Up the ridge to Sron Garbh.  I was abit concerned but we carried on along the ridge to Twistin Hill. Every now and again the wind eased as we scrambled up and down the rocky sections. There was a steep scramble before the summit of An Caisteal,995m which was shrouded in clag. It then cleared as we descended diagonally & steeply SE to Bealach Buidhe 805m.  The path then heads SE up the steep buttress of Beinn a’Chroin which was an enjoyable scramble up the the plateau. The wind had eased & the cloud was overcast but above the summits with occasional glimpses of the sun.  Headed E over the rocky lumps and tiny lochans to the summit of Beinn a’Chroin,942m. Headed NE down the grassy ridge to Coire Earb & NW over the River Falloch to the landrover track and back to the start.

Meall Buidhe/Glen Lyon Wild Camp

(2.8.13) Meall Buidhe 932m,Glen Lyon, 3 hours, Ascent 551m

A good mate of mine Scott had been harping on at me for a while now about taking him for a wee hike up north so I thought of Meall Buidhe which could be done in an evening stroll followed by a wee wild camp. The MWIS for the Friday highlighted 80% chance of cloud free Munro's so we set off from the burgh in the afternoon with a stop off en route in Callander for their braw pies and a few tins. In his case a bottle o buckie. You can take the man out of Glasgow but cant take the Glasgow out of the man. Got suited and booted for 5sh before we set off along the landrover track above Lochan na cat then up the boggy'sh path NW to the summit ridge. Views opened up over to the Lawers. Soon as we hit the ridge the wind battered us. Met another walk highlander coming from the summit. Rusty guy, hope you enjoyed your can. Brief views over towards Schiehallion and Loch Rannoch. Got to the summit and the waterproofs came on as the clag and rain descended upon us. The wind was pretty strong thus the clag soon passed and the distant lochans shone over on Rannoch Moor. Back to the car within 3 hours and found a wee camp spot further along the glen where we set up the tents and had a good scoop. Woke up being surrounded by highland coos. Apart from the odd back pain twinge I felt relatively good.