Laying Crianlarich to Rest...

Josh on the summit of An Caisteal...

Monday just passed (20th August) myself and Josh headed up to Crianlarich to finally finish off the last two Munros in the group that I had left to do. These were An Caisteal (995 metres) and Beinn a' Chroin (942 metres). We caught the train from Helensburgh Upper and arrived in Crianlarich around 10am. After a quick roll and sausage (square) in the station tea room we made the trek through the local woodland and crossed the river Falloch to reach the foot of An Caisteal. Having been turned back from here earlier in the year with poor winter weather I was not about to be beat back a second time.

We contoured South-West around the mountain and climbed the steep North-Western slopes before finally reaching Twistin Hill and the long wide ridge leading to the summit of the first Munro. From the ridge we had grand views South-West to the Munro of Beinn Chabhair and views East to the mighty Ben More. We carried on along the ridge gradually gaining height and passing the castellated top which gives the mountain its name before we finally arrived on our first Munro of the day, An Caisteal.

Route taken...

Once on the summit we had some food and eyed up our next objective. Beinn a' Chroin. After we had eaten we headed South-South-East, descending down to the Bealach Buidhe which sits at an elevation of 805 metres. Once here we had a quick breather before heading up the steep Western edge of the mountain before following the undulating ridge to reach the true summit of Beinn a' Chroin and our second munro of the day. From here we headed North-East and picked up the descent path.

After a fairly quick descent we reached the coire floor and carried on along the boggy 'path' before picking up the new hydro/land rover track back to the tree line. A last crossing of the river Falloch we followed the track back through the local woodland and back to the main village of Crianlarich.

Once here we dropped in to the local pub to claim our free pints as we had taken photos of one another on the local hills. Well deserved, and needed.