Ben Lui

  

Ben Lui

The 4 Munros of the Ben Lui group hide above Tyndrum and give only fleeting views as you drive up the A82 or along the A85 to Oban.  On this occasion, we elected to split the group into 2 separate days - at either end of the Knoydart & Mull trip.

 Beinn Dubhchraig & Ben Oss

Ben Oss & Ben Lui

We took my usual walk-in from Tydrum Lower Station into Glen Cononish.  The steep climb up the grassy slopes leading to the NE shoulder of Beinn Dubhchraig was straightforward, if a little damp, as the only rain of the entire trip welcomed Matt & Jenn back to the Highlands.

Beinn Dubhchraig

We did have clear views throughout the day, however, and were soon traversing the broad ridge past the 2 small lochans that lead to the summit of Beinn Dubhchraig (978m; hill of the black rock).

Ben Oss

Retracing our steps to the lochans, we descended steeply (but mercifully briefly) to the bealach above Coire Buidhe before climbing steadily up the narrowing ridge that leads to Ben Oss (1029m; hill of the elk).

Beinn a’ Chleibh & Ben Lui

Ben Lui

The last day of the Knoydart & Mull trip saw us parking in Glen Lochy, fording the eponymous river (relatively easily in this dry spell) and negotiating the low headroom afforded by the railway bridge before finally starting the climb up the day’s mountains!  Doctor Jon joined us for this last day having decided the current spell of great weather was just too good to miss!

Fording the River Lochy

Forestry works further complicate the ascent just now but a clearly marked and helpful diversion make for easy-going and we were soon breaking out of the trees and heading up into Fionn Choirein.  Once on the skyline, we headed west and climbed the easy slopes to the large flat grassy summit of Beinn a’ Chleibh (916m; hill of the chest).  Despite being one of the lowest Munros, its western position gives great views in that direction.  It’s a nice wee hill.

Beinn a’ Chleibh

We descended back to the bealach and started the main climb of the day up the steady incline that leads to the dramatic twin summits of Ben Lui.  The sudden drop down into Coire Gaothach is all the more impressive following the relatively viewless ascent of the mountain from the west.

Ben Lui From Glen Lochy

Today, light wispy cloud obscured the best of the views, but it is always a pleasure to stand on top of this, one of the finest hills in the southern Highlands: Ben Lui (1130m; hill of the calf).

Ben Lui & Beinn a’ Chleibh

Despite the cloudy summit, we descended in good spirits, negotiating all the obstacles before arriving back at the car to see both mountains bathed in sunshine and clear skies!! Ah well, that’s the way it goes…

Check out my plans for similar walks at: http://www.hillways.co.uk/summer/summer.htm