Ben Donich

12 May 2010.

Participants - Me and Steven
Where - Ben Donich, 847m/2,778', Corbett, Map 56, NN 218043

 Ben Donich is one of the numerous high mountains around Arrochar; I have climbed it on a number of occasions both from the east at Ardgartan and from Glen Croe to the north. On this occasion, we tackled it from Glen Croe where a marked path starts at a Forestry Commission car park not far from the junction of the Rest and be Thankful and Lochgoilhead roads. The summit is on the fourth bump from the left looking at this picture.....

After a few hundred yards of forestry track, a good path branches off to the left and zigzags up to meet the north ridge. It was steep to begin with but there were good views which gave an excuse for a pause. This is looking back down to Loch Restil at the side of the main road with another Corbett, Stob Coire Creagach in the background.....

After the first steep section, the path levelled off for a bit before we reached an area of big boulders- the hillside looked like it had been broken apart. Some of the gaps between the boulders were quite deep- ok in summer but I guess that this area requires a lot of care when snow covers the ground and the path is not obvious. This is the approach to the boulder area.....

and this is among the boulders, Beinn an Lochain in the background.....

This was the best part of the ridge for viewing the hills round about. Here are a few pictures, firstly of Beinn Narnain and the Cobbler.....

and of Beinn Luibheinn and Beinn Ime.....

and over Arrochar to Ben Lomond.....

and to Beinn Luibheinn, Beinn Ime, Beinn Narnain and the Cobbler.....

and down Glen Croe to Loch Fyne with the hills of Mull on the horizon.....

Towards the top of the boulder area, there was a slight descent via a rock step (ok, you noticed, this picture was taken ascending the step on the way back!).....

after which it was a gentle stroll across the summit plateau to the trig. Here I am approaching the trig.....

Unfortunately, the sun was in the wrong place to get a good photograph down Loch Goil towards the Clyde estuary with the islands of  Cumbrae, Ailsa Craig and Arran and it was also a bit dull in this direction. So here is that view that I took on a previous visit.....

We stopped to look at a few of the boulders on the way down so the whole trip took just over 4 hours. It was a trip of around 4 miles with about 550m of ascent.