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Beinn Tulaichean and Cruach
Ardrain |
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| The Munros |
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| Looking up to Cruach Ardrain
in winter from Grey Height. Meall Dhamh is the knoll on the
right. |
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Country: Scotland |
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Location: Glen Falloch |
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Transport: There is a railway station at
Crianlarich. |
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Trip Date: 4 June 1993 |
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Introduction |
The fine sharp summit of Cruach Ardrain (stack of the high part, 1046m)
looms above the village of Crianlarich with the Coire Ardrain pointing down at
the village. Beinn Tulaichean (hill of the hillocks, 946m) is a lesser peak
(really just the south end of a ridge from Cruach Ardrain) but has steep,
sometimes craggy sides to the east, west and south. The two Munros together
with the rocky Top of Stob Garbh (959m) form a Y-shaped elevation with the
summit of Cruach Ardrain at the junction of the three ridges, Beinn Tulaichean
to the south and Stob Garbh to the north-west.
The bulk of Cruach Ardrain hides Beinn Tulaichean from any viewpoints in
Glen Falloch. It is best seen from Loch Voil to the east or even better from
the neighbouring Munros (An Caisteal,
Beinn a'Chroin, Ben More
or Stob Binnein).
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Route |
The usual route to bag Beinn Tulaichean starts to the east of the Munro
at the end of the road along Loch Voil from Balquhidder. This also gives a
straightforward ascent of Cruach Ardrain. However the route I describe is from
the comforts of Crianlarich.
Walk down the A82 road from Crianlarich for 750 metres to a bridge over
the West Highland Railway line. This gives access to the forest that cloaks
most of the northern slopes of Cruach Ardrain. Head right from the railway
along a path and then back left through a wide clearing. A broken fence is
reached after about 200 metres. Turn right where a line of fence posts climbs
up a narrow break in the forest. The ground in the gap is very boggy and you
will probably find better going just inside the first line of trees (watch out
for the branches which seem to delight in sticking you in the most delicate
places).
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| Beinn Tulaichean from the col
before Cruach Ardrain (4 June 1993). |
A kilometre of this boring forest walking brings the upper edge of the
forest with a large boulder above the patch of trees ahead. This forest walking
can be swapped for a long ascent up grassy slopes by walking further down the
A82 road, into the Coire Earb for a kilometre and then struggling up the slopes
along the upper extent of the forest. Contour around the patch of trees and
then circle back up to the boulder. Cross over a fence and head SE up the ridge
to the knob of Grey Height (685m) for some great views of Cruach Ardrain, the
route ahead and back to Crianlarich.
The climb of 130 metres up to Meall Dhamh (814m) is along a broad,
grassy and featureless ridge with no real path. The rocky knoll is a good place
for a morning break and contemplating the work to be done. From here a
well-defined path leads down over rocky ground to a col and then to the base of
the steep shoulder up to Cruach Ardrain. You can climb this to bag Cruach
Ardrain first but a bit of effort can be saved by heading off to Beinn
Tulaichean first. Contour along the untracked, steep southern slopes - keeping
above the crags and aiming towards a tiny knoll on the slopes above the
outlying top of Stob Glas. Climb up about 50 metres after the knoll to avoid
more crags and then traverse the slopes to reach the south-east ridge. A good
path then leads down to the col between the Munros and then up 120m to the
pointed summit.
Return back to the col and then climb the easy slopes NNW to join the
usual ascent route of Cruach Ardrain at a small cairn. Go NE to the flat top
with 2 small cairns which is to the south-west of the summit. This is marked on
the map as 1045 metres high. The true summit of 1046m lies 70 metres to the NE
with a single large cairn.
An interesting traverse can be made over Stob Garbh. Head steeply down
NE from the summit cairn over rocky ground. This terrain needs care in icy
conditions. Cross the wide col at the foot of the slope and go up the wide
ridge to Stob Garbh. This ridge is routine in clear conditions but is confusing
in mist since it is ill-defined and contains many knolls. From the top, go NW
and then N down the broad grassy ridge for 500 metres to the next col (this is
on OS Sheet 51 - Loch Tay). Descend NW into Corrie Ardrain heading for the
trees on the west side of the corrie where a firebreak leads back to the ascent
route.
I arrived at the summit in a strong, cold wind and thick clouds and did
not like the idea of the confusing ridge to Stob Garbh. Thus I retraced my
steps to the west, descended the steep shoulder to Meall Dhamh and returned via
Grey Height and the forest.
