Keith Fergus explores two fine Munros
THE RUGGED PEAKS of Cruach Ardrain and Beinn Tulaichean form part of a chain of hills above Crianlarich. A circuit of both offers a superb hill day, particularly when there is a dusting of snow on the ground. Yet, due to it only requiring around 120 metres or so of ascent from the bealach linking it with Cruach Ardrain, Beinn Tulaichean is seen, somewhat disparagingly by many, as just another ‘tick’ off the Munro list. In fact it offers cracking views of the surrounding peaks and is a fine mountain in its own right.
Ominous clouds, heavy with potential snow showers, gathered above as my mate Alec and I wandered through Glen Falloch at around
8am, although shafts of weak sunshine offered some hope. Glen Falloch itself (which is cut in two by the River Falloch) is delightful, running southwest from Crianlarich to Loch Lomond. The glen’s upper reaches, near the slopes of Cruach Ardrain, are studded with gorgeous stands of Scots pine, and these glinted in the early morning light.
After crossing the footbridge over the Falloch, we followed footprints in the snow, with Cruach Ardrain’s shapely profile high above. Fortunately, as we reached Grey Height and then Meall Dhamh, the clouds began to break, some blue sky appeared and the visibility improved dramatically. At
814m Meall Dhamh’s rocky top offered a superb outlook, taking in An Caisteal and Beinn a’ Chroin.
As we gained height the snow became more compacted and we continued to crunch our way up with crampons stored away in our rucksacks. Finally we topped out on Cruach Ardrain’s 1046m summit and sat down to take in the wonderful view and to replenish lost energy. The neighbouring muscular peaks of Ben More, Stob Binnein, Beinn a’ Chroin and An Caisteal looked spectacular in their frosty garb, although further up the glen Ben Challum’s summit was still cloaked in a blanket of grey cloud.
Beinn Tulaichean sat below and we carefully made our way down Cruach Ardrain’s south-east ridge to a bealach before taking the simple ascent onto our second Munro of the day. At 946m Beinn Tulaichean is 100m lower than Cruach Ardrain but it still offers a splendid view down to Inverlochlarig and east to the prominent twin peaks of Ben Vorlich and Stuc a’ Chroin, as well as the Ben Lawers range.
We retraced our steps for a while before traversing the slopes below Cruach Ardrain’s summit back to Meall Dhamh. Our timing had been good as heavy snow settled on our hats and rucksacks; and, as we returned to our car, sleety showers limited any views to around 100m. Our early start had proved invaluable.