Climbing Cruach Àrdrain and Beinn Tulaichean, two Munros (The Trossachs, Scotland)

The Trossachs – Two Munros: map & data

8.1 mile walk in 7h45 from 08.00 to 15.45 – average 1.1 mph

Beinn Tulaichean: Munro (946 m)
Cruach Àrdrain: Munro (1046 m)

Our story

Our second day in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park was epic, exhausting, breathtaking, scary; and, above all, icy. We’d been in the Trossachs many times before, in the spring, summer and autumn. But never in winter.

The almost 8-hour walk took us up rugged slopes, and down icy slabs; past sword-like icicles, steep frosted steps, and a waterfall suspended in time. It brought us along snowy paths, frozen streams and puddles, and a long long white ridge. Quite a contrast with our autumn adventure from only a few weeks before.

We set off from the car park just before 8am with a nearly-full moon shining on us. The climb started soon after we left the farm, and it was up all the way to the first summit. Up and up, at times seriously steep.

Every now and then I took pictures of the burning sky, the frozen footsteps in the frozen mud, peaceful Loch Doine and Loch Voil, and of our wacky shadows. Like the one where I look as if I was riding a camel and Simon appears to be carrying a dead goat.

And from time to time we stopped to contemplate some of the hills we’ve climbed over the years, and the many still to come.

The Trossachs: two Munros

Eventually we reached the peak of Cruach Àrdrain, our first Munro, and continued on to Beinn Tulaichean, Munro number two. Then we walked back down to the bealach between the two hills, and from there we started the rough descent.

This must be one of the most treacherous descents I’ve ever done. Often I found myself grabbing every rock and bush at hand, hoping to make it down unscathed. When we finally reached the grassy path at the bottom, I had a nagging feeling that I’d been a weakling all the way down.

— “But look at what we’ve done!”, said Simon pointing up. I looked back at the slope behind us and saw an almost vertical rocky drop. I was no longer a wimp.

What I loved the most about this adventure was the boundless frosty landscape, the immense ridge, and the humble winter light that brightened the pictures I took along the way. Here they are: