More Munros : Beinnglas Farm to Comrie

Munros this section :

Beinn Chabhair
An Caisteal
Ben More (Crianlarich)
Stob Binnein

Lovely weather on top of Ben More.

From camp - basically a random farm in the middle of nowhere - I head straight up the second Munro of the trip, Beinn Chabhair.  Again it is hard work - each ascent so far has been more or less from sea level and it is a long way up.  And of course the weather has turned, there is a howling gale blowing which doesn't help.  I make it to the top, then down to an exposed saddle, it is incredibly windy here too.  I can at least shuck my pack for a relatively easy climb up An Caisteal and back down.  But then I have to face the facts, trying to conquer the other three Munros I planned for today is going to leave me still stuck up here late in the evening in appalling conditions.  I decide discretion is the better part of valour, and still it is a long, long slog back down until I rejoin my route and find a camp spot, in a bog of course.

The Ben Sheann Hotel in Strathyre.

OK, another day, I'm feeling a bit more hopeful, only two Munros planned for today, and an actual hotel room booked this evening, I just need to get to it.  Well, yet another climb up from sea level, this time up Ben More, the ascent is bad enough but the insane wind makes it so much harder, sometimes I can barely stay on my feet.  It's nice to pass a few people coming down, shows this is at least possible, and yes I make it to the top, and a little further on the next, Stob Binnein.  From here there is a long ridge path, would be lovely on a nice day, not so much today.  Then down and some easy road walk to Strathyre, my hotel is nice, though sadly only one of the village's pubs is open, and it has no food.  Ah well, packet pasta in my room it is...

A bit easier than going up and down mountains.

My less than successful Munro campaign continues the next day - looking at the climbing involved I reckon my plan would take 12 or 13 hours, not impossible but I'd have to forgo the hotel breakfast, and indeed I feel a bit broken.  So instead an easier, flat route along cycle paths and minor roads, it is very pleasant especially as the sun is shining again.  I still manage to make it harder by walking off with the hotel room key and not realising for half an hour, ho hum.  Well, I make decent time to Comrie, and a little past it to the 'croft' where I have another real bedroom - the luxury!

Photos to go with this post can be found here.