Area: Arrochar Alps, Scotland
The Cobbler is one of Scotland's most recognisable peaks. Its profile always puts me in mind of the Watzmann in Bavaria. We did the full traverse of that famous icon of the eastern Alps in poor weather in 2017, an indelible memory. By contrast, the Cobbler is tiny and inconsequential, but it does have similar legends attached and a remarkably similar profile! I left the camp in Glen Etive fairly early, the intention being to break the journey home at the Arrochar Alps, which I'd never visited before - another one of those southern Highland gaps this mini-break was intended to fill. The weather was stunning, banks of fog through Rannoch Moor breaking to crystal clear cloudless sunshine: an amazing day in prospect. I parked by the shores of Loch Long near Succoth and began to lengthy zigzags through the woods which lead up to the Allt a'Bhalachain, which babbles down the valley. To the right, Beinn Narnain, and ahead the classic three-peak profile of the Cobbler. I reached the Narnain boulders in 40 minutes or so, then took the steep and scrambly path straight up below the North peak to gain the main ridge. Then it was straight up to the central and highest summit, which is topped by a large pinnacle. The tricky nature of the scramble up this means it is arguably the hardest summit in mainland Britain to reach. I imagine it gets busy too, but I was so early I did it immediately. It involves crawling through a hole in the rock, 'threading the needle', to gain a fairly exposed ledge on the far side. Then it is just one, perhaps two, actual scrambling moves to climb up to the summit. All good fun, after which I had a snack on the grassy slopes nearby, before jogging over the easier North summit, which is gained via shallow rocky slabs. Superb views, with Arran and the Paps of Jura clearly visible, and Ben Lomond impressive. Steps lead down to the Bealach a'Mhaim, from where I continued the day to take in Beinn Narnain, again a far more interesting peak than I had anticipated. Steps and paths led fairly quickly to the broad summit of Narnain, and more excellent views across the southern Highlands. I descended off the eastern ridge, not expecting much but finding a remarkably long and continually interesting descent. It goes initially over the craggy spearhead buttress, then weaves down through various rocky outcrops to a more level, grassy section. All the while, superbly clear views in glorious sunshine. Steps then lead to a boggy and rocky direct final descent straight back to the lochside car park, then the drive home.
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