Date: Sunday 23rd March 2014
Distance: 15km
Ascent: 990m
In general we’ve tried to climb hills by the routes we thought best from perusing the maps. Occasionally we’ve taken routes of convenience.
One hill that’s niggled a bit was Cruach nan Capull – the first look at the map showed an intriguing high horseshoe around Inverchaolain Glen with views across the Clyde sea lochs and Arran. We then proceeded to use a baggers’ smash and grab route from the north on a poor day while on a Cowal holiday in 2012.
A return to do justice to the hill has been on the cards for 2 years.
The forecast was for an improving day – clouds clearing and winds dropping into the afternoon. Rather unsettling to be looking at a cloud-free, snow-clad Ben Lomond from the M8 approaching Greenock at 0930.
Caught the Gourock-Dunoon ferry, hopefully one of many ferry trips this year. Nice view south to Arran.
Drove south from Dunoon round the peninsula tip to turn north up the east shore of Loch Striven. Parked in a small parking area at the church at Inverchaolain.
Took the forestry track which zig-zags uphill from NS 093 750 to NS 098 746 – allows clear access out onto the hillside. From there it was a wander on grassy terrain uphill to Blar Buidhe, listening to Meadow Pipits starting their singing displays on the way.
Tadpoles:
Loch Striven from track:
Arran from Blar Buidhe:
Overflown by the SAR Sea King heading N towards Arrochar.
SAR and Ceum na Callich:
SAR:
Parky on top in a fresh breeze – but nice view south to Arran.
From there a slightly boggy bimble to the Marilyn of Black Craig to sit and have a bite to eat.
Cracking views out over the Clyde sea lochs and out to Arran.
Headed from Black Craig towards the Bealach na Sreine. Quite a lot of estate roads/tracks in Inverchaolain Glen:
As we headed up Green Knap I was rather surprised to spot a Golden Eagle crest the crag line, with 2 buzzzards and a few ravens trying to land on its head. It streaked off once it spotted me.
Eagle:
Bimbled across Leacann nan Gall towards Cruach nan Capull. Views across to Strathclyde came and went between snow showers.
Across the Clyde Sea Lochs:
H ascending the summit of Cruach nan Capull:
North across Cowal:
There were nice views here and there – Cruachan was looking rather nice. Mull, Jura and Arran were all on view now and then.
North to Cruachan:
Headed south down the long ridge towards the car.
K on the south ridge of Cruach nan Capull:
Mull faintly visible to the NW:
Jura across windfarm:
H on S ridge:
We descended E and SE from the trig point to hit the track at Allt an Tormain. On reflection I think we should have headed down to Sron Dearg and then picked the best line down the E side of this to the track.
Arran across Loch Striven:
As we returned along the track the eagle flapped its way across the glen again. This time got a good enough look to identify the white tail band of a juvenile Goldie. It took up station over Kilmarnock Hill, being mobbed by buzzards and ravens, mere dots next to it.
Low sun and Arran:
Certainly the natural route I’d thought best for this hill originally – air quality and cloud blunted the views but I’d certainly consider repeating it.
….time to think of those other niggle hills. 😉
Busy Doing Nothing 