Ben Narnain & Ben Ime
- robsthomson
- Jul 8, 2019
- 4 min read
There was a 'need' to get back to the Hills and quickly...
I hadn't fully convinced myself that going solo into the Munros wasn't going to unexpectedly freak me out. Having completed some 20 or so on my own in the past year it was unnerving to only now have these short but strong bouts of anxiousness, similar to that I experienced in my 20's when 'panic attacks' became the norm for a few years (and still occasionally creep up from time to time) Why now, after a year, was this kicking in? Often trying to fathom it out made it worse so I decided to make the most of a lovely Monday off and get a couple in ahead of my forthcoming weekend to The Fannichs.
Forming part of the Arrochar Alps this twin peak walk is emblematic of the whole range - short, rocky, stubborn and full of character. Beinn Ime is the highest of the Arrochars at 3316ft with Narnain topping out at 3038ft.
I have no objection to paying car park fees whatsoever but I really do not enjoy the 'hourly only' option. Surely it would be more sensible to levy a reasonable 'full day' charge for those who really have no idea how long they will be. Setting off with this midlife man style grudge I walked past the 'blink and you will miss it' entrance to the undergrowth leading to the direct route to Narnain (the other being the well made path via The Cobbler). Only 2 minutes in and my GPX had already earned its corn.
The initial path through the Forrest and vegetation was damp, sticky, humid and it wasn't long before I had a proper sweat on, alerting ever more beasties and midges to my presence. It was a small relief to be clear of the tree line and into fresher and cooler air. The path was pretty evident now but I was taking the opportunity to brush up on compass and navigation skills nonetheless. I settled into the walk and started to relax. I hadn't noticed but I was tense, tight and on edge until this point and only noticed as I began to unwind from it. That should be a nice experience but for me I find it unsettling. I'm not prone to stress and quite a chilled person for the most part so surely being out in this stunning scenery, in the fresh air shouldn't be unsettling. I read recently that someone's GP called feelings of anxiety as 'child like excitement but in adults'. I'm not sure I concur with that but it would be nice if that was the case.
After a wee bit of easy scrambling a boggy area is crossed before a steeper section on a narrow path twists it's way towards the summit. A brief but strong wave of anxiety washed over me at this point. I was in no danger (unless I was ridiculously stupid), the weather was fine and the path straightforward enough but for a brief moment I felt like I was on a roller coaster. I'd like to try and explain it but I can't so I won't. Instead I headed back down the path for around 50 feet then stopped. I took a seat and after a minute or 2 got to my feet and really without thinking I literally raced up the mountainside to the summit.
No sooner had it hit me then it was gone. I am familiar with the feelings - they have paid visits to me many times over the years but now they had caught up with me on the hills too and I was determined I'd be leaving them behind when they did.
It was glorious at the top.
The drop into the bealach between the two peaks, along with an additional 400 metres of ascent made the walk from one summit to another a tough wee proposition. Looking across from Narnain to Ime the eye is easily fooled into thinking it's easier than it is. This was made a tad more tricky by the majority of the ascent of Ime being up a slippery, bog strewn and mud filled chute. Ever mindful of growing erosion it really is a challenge to stick to the central path and avoid ending up knee deep or face down in the mire.
The views from Beinn Ime were outstanding - a real treat for someone like me who usually gets fog bound summits! I even stayed and had a spot of lunch at the top overlooking a huge number of summits, wishing I knew my Munro Geography a bit better and wondering if Munrography was a word (it isn't but it should be)? I'm pretty sure that was Ben Nevis saw in the very far distance, still dominating in height. I should mention that this was my 1st outing with my swanky new outdoor specs too so for once I could actually make out a fair bit of detail - it really was lovely to have an enhanced view at last.
Having successfully descended the mudslide I took the main path back, via The Cobbler and soaked up the atmosphere of these stunning rock formations. Passing the Narnain Boulders evoked a real sense of history having read that early pioneering climbers from Glasgow and beyond slept under these mighty stones.
I returned to my car almost 1 hour past the allotted time. No ticket.
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