General August 2023 Activity: South Loch Earn ridge and Loch Shin Scenes.

Other general activity in August 2023 encompassed a rare traverse of a mountain ridge that was bereft of any ‘bagging’ status and some extensive Munro, Corbett and Fiona ascents far north in the Loch Shin area.

First up, BR, IH & ARob planned a route going west to east from Ardvorlich to St Fillans, via the ridge between them, on the south side of Loch Earn. The route looked attractive on the map despite containing no ‘notable’ mountains. See: https://explore.osmaps.com/route/18817290/230804--ardvorlich-to-st-fillans?lat=56.375471&lon=-4.179851&zoom=13.0119&style=Leisure&type=2d. A car was left on the east side at St Fillans Golf Club to facilitate their return.

Pic shows a lone tree growing out of a boulder with Ben Vorlich, NN 62913 18934, in the background, taken looking SSE from near NN 63808 20963, having risen from Glen Vorlich.

Another pic of Ben Vorlich, this time taken from the Lochan on the SW side of Black Craig, NN 64766 20754.

The ridge provided much up and down…IH presses on leaving BR to work out where he is.

Taken from about half-way along the ridge, looking SE, left to right centre pic, Meall na Fearna, NN 65111 18778, Stuc Achroin in the far distance, NN 61670 17447 and Ben Vorlich again (!)

The descent from the end of the ridge was quite difficult as it was severely loaded with bracken growing on uneven and steep ground. Pic taken of Am Bioran at the east end of the ridge, NN 69488 22194, looking SSW, from the approach road to St Fillan’s Golf Club, NN 70125 23852.

A reasonably tough day covering 11.9km and 878m of ascent, lasting 6:15hrs.

Last but not least for August, a week was spent at Corrykinloch cottage (25 – 31/09/23), NC 36495 25802, by FVMC members BR, LA, CS, Harry the Dog and friend of the club PL from Derby. The plan was to climb some Munros, Corbetts and Fionas as well as getting some cycling done.

On Saturday 26/08, not much could be done, except a short walk along local tracks due to dreich weather. Pic shows Corrykinloch cottage in the wet landscape, as viewed from the south.

The following day, Sunday 27/08, PL decided to go for a long cycle ride through road and glen tracks, whilst CS, Harry, LA & BR decided to do the Corbett Beinn Leoid, NC 32026 29488 and Fiona Meallan a Chuail, NC 34453 29241. The main attraction was that we could walk from Corrykinloch. See https://explore.osmaps.com/route/18862586/230825--corrykinloch--beinn-leoin-and-meallan-a-chuail?lat=58.207336&lon=-4.836934&zoom=13.1470&style=Leisure&type=2d

Pic shows the view looking ESE towards Corrykinloch and the northern end of Loch Shin…and the stream into which CS took an unplanned plunge and at which point BR realised that he had forgotten to take his sandwiches…a great start!

On the flat boggy ground before the ascent of Beinn Leoid, looking south to the Munro Ben More Assynt, NC 31838 20105.

From the top of Corbett Beinn Leoid looking E to Fiona Meallan a Chuail, their next objective.

…at the top of Meallan a Chuail – and the usual mist leaving no room for a view! This was followed by a rather steep descent SE from the top, in the direction of the three Lochans at NC 35171 28523, then the long walk back to Corrykinloch. A decent day of 14.2km and 896m of ascent, taking 8:45hr.

On the following Monday 28/08, they all went to do the Corbett Ben Hee, NC 42659 33985, from West Merkland, NC 38358 33011, up stalkers path then descending NW off Meallan Liath Mor, NC 40414 33203. See; https://explore.osmaps.com/route/18864270/230825--corrykinloch--ben-hee?lat=58.261787&lon=-4.730558&zoom=13.6941&style=Leisure&type=2d a day covering 10.4km, 769m of ascent, taking 5:45hr.

Tuesday 29/08 was generally a rest day with some excursions in the afternoon when the weather cleared a little. The pic shows the stream behind the cottage.

…the ladies occupy themselves with demonstrations of yoga – BR decides that it’s safer to have a cup of tea.

On Wednesday 30/08, PL, LA & BR climbed the Corbett Ben Stack, NC 27003 42282, from the car park at its SE end, NC 29625 40306, They headed SW to the start of the track along Strath Stack, curving clockwise to ascend the NW end of Ben Stack, then headed SW back to the car after reaching the top. See; https://explore.osmaps.com/route/18864352/230825--corrykinloch--ben-stack?lat=58.325599&lon=-4.966215&zoom=13.4060&style=Leisure&type=2d

Here we see BR & PL enjoying some sun and snacks…just before the weather turned and everything got wet – very wet!

PL & LA at the top and in the background a mast powered by a wind blade and a solar panel. A day covering 12.5km and 755m of ascent, taking 6:13hr.

On Thursday 31/08 CS, Harry, LA & BR went off to do the Corbett Arkle, NC 30271 46200, whilst PL opted instead to do the Fionas Carn an Tionail, NC 39226 39077 and Beinn Direach, NC 40634 38076. Pic taken from the carpark at the southern end of Loch Stack, NC 29790 40223, looking north to Arkle.

…the main group prepares for their 3km cycle to Lone, NC 30923 42190, on the southern approach to Arkle. See; https://explore.osmaps.com/route/18865972/230825--corrykinloch--arkle?lat=58.412142&lon=-4.885914&zoom=13.0039&style=Leisure&type=2d

BR’s companions at Lone…looking west to Ben Stack, NC 26934 42289, where visibility the day before was limited to say the least!

The boulders standing guard at the small strip of wood that drapes itself on the southern slopes of Arkle.

BR is last to ascend from the woods…grand view of Ben Stack in the distance – it looks so dry.

Approaching Arkle’s SE top, NC 31002 45305, centre right of pic, with the main top centre left.

…and a fine view of mighty Fionaven, NC 31507 50704, looking NNE from the lowest point on Arkle’s ridge, NC 30756 45409.

Finally at the main top, and good news that PL had also completed the traverse of Corbetts Carn an Tionail and Beinn Direach. The return trip was a virtual reversal of out outward journey, a day covering 16.2km, 1005m of ascent, taking 7:45hrs.

The following day, Friday 01/09, was the end of the Corrykinloch trip for BR and LA, but CS and Harry stayed for a further night at a local B&B whilst PL toured in her van, walked and cycled for a few more days. Pic shows the remarkable scene of spiders’ webs draped on the bushes by the track, often witnessed when leaving the cottage in the morning.

…having exited the gate and locked it behind them, there was still time for a group pic – celebrating a fabulous week.