Date: Monday 18th July 2011
Distance: 22km
Ascent: 1200m
We had a 3 day weekend thanks to the Glasgow Fair public holiday – the forecast had been tripe, but the weather had been mixed, a bit of sun and a fair bit of rain. Monday looked like a big improvement.
The hanging bogland above Glen Dochart has never been a favourite and I’d noticed a track running from Glen Lochay towards the corbett Beinn nan Imirean from previous walks in the area – seemed like a nice wander.
The car park at Kenknock has been rebuilt before the farm (NN 476 369) and there’s a sign asking for no parking beyond that point. This adds 1km in each direction from the old system.
Set off in glorious sunshine – haven’t walked this glen for 6 years – how time flies. Back to the Tarmachan:
A fly in the ointment arose – our planned river crossing at NN 453 356 was not there anymore. A look at the vehicle ford suggested a wade through would be easy enough so we carried on.
Glen Lochay is remarkably attractive – our last day had been poor – the towering hills here scrubbed up well in the sun.
Marsh Orchids are near the end of their season:
My OS map shows the track stopping at Batavaine (NN 421 347), in actual fact there is a track all the way out to Loch Chailein (NN 401 306).
Back to Ghaordie and Tarmachan:
Followed the track up to the sheilings at NN 414 327 – from there another track zig-zags up to the coire between Meall Glas and Beinn nan Imirean.
Unfortunately the Allt at this point was still swollen from the weekend rain so we waded across the crossing point (knee-high).
From there the track led quickly to the N ridge of Imirean:
The day was clouding but the views remained impressive.
Noticed the sheep on Beinn Challum streaming towards Glen Lochay – binoculars showed up the farmers and their sheepdogs gathering the flock from summit to base – quite an impressive display.
Sat a while on the summit having lunch – interesting views to Arrochar and the Crianlarich hills.
Creag Mhor and Cam Chreag:
Ben Lui group:
Crianlarich Hills:
The return leg took us back over Meall Glas – an easy descent to the bealach and then grassy slopes to the munro.
A huge quarzite boulder seems to have been deposited here – stands out.
There’s a nice pool at the bealach – deep and peaty. Hard to see in the breezy and overcast conditions but there were a large number of Diving Beetle larvae surfacing for air and diving again.
Took another food break on Meall Glas – still cloudy but decent views.
Beinn Challum and Beinn nan Imirean:
The novelty of a Munro red route path on the summit – not common on Corbetts yet.
Carried on over to Beinn Cheathaich – from here it would be easy to continue to Sgiath Chuil but this wasn’t the plan. Hazel approaching Cheathaich:
Headed down the N ridge of Beinn Cheathaich – the track up Lubchurran Burn terminates at 390m according to My OS – in actual fact it continues to meet the N ridge of Cheatsaich at 650m.
A very quick descent down the good track to Lubchurran – boots off for another wade across the river at the vehicle ford.
The sun came back out again to display Glen Lochay at summer best.
Creag Mhor:
Back to the car in 20 minutes for the trip home.
Enjoyed the route – no bog-trotting is a plus. Given that there were spate conditions just 24 hours before I suspect no wading would be needed after a bit of dry weather.
A taste of summer.
Busy Doing Nothing 