Big highs and lows for rambling club
Crianlarich was the stomping ground for Our Lady of Lourdes Hiking Club at the weekend.
The low walkers were dropped off first at Derrydaroch in Glen Falloch and were soon on their route around the hills to eventually emerge on the main A82 just south of Crianlarich.
This mountain track provides good access to a small dam recently constructed on the Allt Andoran between Stob Glas and Sron Gharbh.
Once across the river below the dam, the walkers were required to make their way through quite long undergrowth and progress across ground which was very wet and marshy at times.
This section of the route involved contouring around the north shoulder of Sron Gharbh and then descending down into the Coire Earb where it was necessary to cross the River Falloch by means of a very old bridge.
Progress was slow ascending the wet and muddy slopes of Grey Height, but a well constructed track was accessed near Hawk Craig and from there it was an easy stroll down to the railway station at Crianlarich in warm sunshine and with the most glorious views of Ben Lui and its surrounds.
From Crianlarich it was easy to connect with the West Highland Way and continue south past Keilator Farm and on to the bus waiting completing their walk of about 13km.
Meanwhile the high walkers were making their way on a well constructed mountain track leading south east and running parallel to the River Falloch.
About one mile into the walk they swung sharply right and started to climb the large grassy slopes of Sron Gharbh which is 709 m high and marks the northern end of the ridge leading to the summit of An Caisteal.
To reach the summit the group was required to follow a quite interesting and at times challenging ridge quaintly named as “Twistin Hill”. Conditions along the ridge were very good but it was evident at this point that the summit of An Caisteal was covered in mist.
Happily the mist evaporated as the members made their way along the ridge and by the time they actually set foot on the summit visibility was good and they were able to relax and enjoy the views despite a cold wind blowing.
The descent was simply a matter of retracing their steps back to the waiting bus.
All walkers were then transported south to Callander for an enjoyable social hour.
The next club outing, on October 1, will be to Glen Shee. For more information about the club and its activities visit their website at www.ololhikingclub.co.uk or e-mail ololhikingclub@yahoo.co.uk or call Charles on 01355 222464.