07 February 2013

Ben Gullipen

Yesterday we went up Ben Gullipen, which is a hill 414m high near Callander. This is a very short hill walk, taking only an hour each way. It was such a cold day that we wouldn't have wanted to spend much longer, especially with a strong wind blowing.

From the summit we had magnificent views north to Ben Ledi.


Tucked in behind Ben Ledi, the white spike is Stobinian.


To the west we looked along the ridge to Beinn Dearg.


To the right were Ben Lomond and Ben Venue above the Menteith Hills and Lochan Balloch.


Further to the right was Loch Venachar.


Snow had fallen on the surface of an icy pool. This snow crystal has undergone a transformation into ice crystals.


You can see our route, but this may be slow to load.

05 February 2013

Cruach Tairbeirt

Cruach Tairbeirt is a hill 415m high, lying to the east of Arrochar and to the west of Loch Lomond.

Last Saturday was a beautiful day to climb this hill, and as we left Arrochar we had beautiful views across Loch Long to the Cobbler.


The first part of the walk was through forestry, but as we emerged from the trees we had spectacular views to the east across Loch Lomond to Ben Lomond.


Nearing the summit, we also had views to the west and south, looking down the length of Loch Long.


We were surrounded by snowy peaks, including the Cobbler.


At the summit our hill was dwarfed by A'Chrois,


Beinn Narnain


and Ben Lomond.


On the descent, we passed a small waterfall, which had splashed nearby grasses and coated them with ice.


Back down in the forestry, the sun was streaming through the trees.