Blundering about on Cruach nan Caorach

23 June 2015

Participants: Neil and Ben

Where: Cruach nan Caorach, 458m/1,503', Sub-2k Marilyn, Map 55, 991804

 

This was one of the few Cowal Marilyns that I still had to do. The direct frontal assault from the shores of Loch Ruel looked brutal with lots of crags so I drove to the high point of the Glendarual to Otter Ferry road which took most of the ascent out of  the equation. This is a view of the hill (left hand summit) from near to the start and again from a mile  or so in.....
 

 

There was a bit of forestry involved from this side and I faced the usual problem of  new tracks which were not shown on the map. I had taken the precaution however of taking advice as to the route. Initially, the track went downhill which was a bit of a bugger, especially on the way back. However, the weather was good and the route advice was proving to be excellent. Then it all went wrong. I was supposed to branch off a track on to what was said to be a rough 4WD path. However, my informant had failed to specify where exactly this point was and the heavy brigades of the Forestry Commission had been at work and had churned up the hillside alongside the track. So I missed the turn off, carried on along the track for further than I like to admit, and added about an hour and a half to the walk. The other problem of course was that I couldn't see the hill for the trees so had nothing to focus my bearings on.

 

Eventually I turned back and this time investigated the churned up area and found what might have been a path. It disappeared from time to time but at least I now knew where I was and could see the summit in the distance. On the horizon behind me, was an old friend- Jura.....
 

 

Next I came to a fence which I managed -just- to hold down far enough for Ben to jump over. On the way back, I found a gate. The summit area was not far away and I could see the trig.....

although there was a sting in the tail in the shape of a drop before a final steep climb to the trig. It was a good viewpoint looking down the Kyles of Bute.....

to Arran.....

 

across Loch Fyne and Kintyre to Jura.....
 

 

Ben was tired.....

 

but time was now getting on so we didn't linger. I reckoned that the path I wanted probably ran by the side of the fence and so it proved. Now I know the route exactly this would be quite an easy hill but that would take all the fun out of it!