Beinn an Lochain Sat 13th June

A walk with David and Marni, a bit steeper this time, the Corbett Beinn an Lochain overlooking Loch Restil at the top of the Rest and Be Thankful. Marni managed fine even though she was well out of her comfort zone, she's used to a couple of laps of the Christie Park on a good day.

We set out after 4 for an early evening walk up this near Munro, about 2850 feet high. Walked along the road past Loch Restil from the RaBT car park, turned left off the road at the end of the layby just as the road steepens toward Butterbridge. Picked up a feint path taking us to a well worn narrow track up the ridge, good views down Glen Kinglas to Loch Fyne.



Shortly before we took the picture above a huge black cloud had drifted past dumping a hailstorm on us and the Arrochar Alps across the road, we sheltered under a cliff just in time, too wet to even think about getting the camera out, one thunder crack but thankfully no lightning.

A good ridge track winds through several steep crags and gullies, great views open up all round about but no scary exposed bits. The summit ridge soon comes into view.



Some good crags to the North West, the path offering a variety of viewpoints where you can catch your breath between the steeper bits. One viewpoint overlooks a boulderfield, a good one to avoid on your way up!



Luckily it was an isolated storm cloud and the sky stayed clear for the rest of walk, a few midgies and funny looking flying beasts bugged us at the base of the summit cone but by the time we got to the summit breezy sunshine kept the beasties at bay and views for miles. Unusual view looking down from the top to a small tarn at the bottom of the summit cone all the way down to Loch Restil 2000' below.



We sat at the summit cairn and ate a late lunch soon realising that you can never take enough food with you even when you raid Gregs before you leave the Vale.



It would have been nice to stay a while longer but once the food was done we carried on over the second top and down a broad ridge which started to take us past the car park below. After a wee recce we decided to go straight down to avoid a long trudge back to the car, pretty steep, 2000' in a mile or so, but the going was ok as the ground was reasonably dry.

We didn't quite come straight down, our descent route is on the left hand side of the picture below.



A reasonably short walk, about 4 miles or so depending on your descent route, well worth it for the views. We only met 4 other people and one dog on the way up, we had the summit to ourselves, so more peaceful than the Arrochar Alps across the road which can be a bit crowded. For some reason we met no one on the way down?

A few more pictures in the Galleria.