Ben Oss & Ben Lui From Glen Cononish
A break in the extended winter weather afforded
an opportunity to start getting hill-fit with a mid-April day out amongst the Ben Lui
group above Tyndrum.
Glen Cononish
High winds and on-going wintery conditions on
the higher slopes suggested a complete round of all 4 peaks might be a touch
ambitious so I opted for just 2: Ben Oss & Beinn Dubhchraig.
Beinn Chuirn Above Cononish Farm
Rather than taking the longer, more boggier and
more difficult-going route from Dalrigh up into Coire Dubhchraig, I opted, as
usual, for the shorter, dryer and easier-going line of approach from Glen
Cononish. A forestry track from Tyndrum
Lower Station provides a neat short-cut into the glen where a wee footbridge
across the River Cononish gives convenient access to the upper slopes.
The Key to the Route: the Cononish Footbridge
A 300m steady climb up grassy slopes leads to
the NE shoulder of Beinn Dubhchraig which then leads much more gently to the summit
ridge where 2 small lochans mark the junction.
From here, a 10-min walk leads to the small summit cairn of Beinn
Dubhchraig (978m; hill of the black rock).
Beinn Dubhchraig
Retracing my steps to the lochans, the climb up
to Ben Oss was harder going into wind.
Don’t be seduced into taking the path that traverses around the
mountain's steep southern side above Coire Garbh. Instead, bear right up the natural
ridge-line over Spot Height 941 until the summit eventually comes to you - Ben
Oss (1029m; hill of the elk).
Ben Oss
The obvious route home is to return to the 2
lochans and descend the way you came in, taking care not to descend too early
into Glen Cononish therby avoiding some pesky crags. This is a good winter day route, which is just as well as this winter seems to be going on and on and on.......
Beinn Dubhchraig
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