Baggin' Stob Binnein

Stob Binnein [STOB BIN yen] is one of the highest peaks in the southern highlands at an elevation of 1165 meters, or 3822 feet. It should be noted that any Scottish mountain over 3000 feet is known as a "munro," and individuals who climb several (or all) of Scotland's 284 munros are said to "bag" munros. They are "munro baggers." And after this weekend, we would like to think that we are one of their number.

We approached Stob Beinnein from the east on a minor road (barely wide enough for a car - even though traffic proceeded in both directions) through the Trossachs national park - "Rob Roy Country." Now, for a hike that was only supposed to be 5 kilometers each way and reached a height of under 4000 feet, we entered this adventure thinking it would be merely a pleasant hill walk...

Boy, were we mistaken. Setting out in our running shoes, light clothing, and, with sheer aplomb, Britt in bluejeans, we found a scarcely visible path up the very steep, wet slope to Stob Invercarnaig - the top of which turned out to be much beyond what can be seen here in an early photo:
The early part of the climb was not all wet running shoes, scrambling on all fours, stepping into mud pockets, and feeling not an inch closer to the top - Jack's pack was excited to see a local farmer's sheep, and the wee lambs that pranced across the hill side. Tempting ... but NO Jack:
And after winding around the top of Stob Invercarnaig (and into the next unprepared for challenge -- a savagely pelting wind), we were greeted with outstanding views of Loch Voil and Loch Doine:
Thinking our triumphant summit was nearly complete (again, boy were we wrong!), we even posed for some family photographs:
Next we began a more gradual ascent to what -- as I would come to say another three times -- "must be the Stob Binnein." Britt, with the expansive highland backdrop, about half-way up the next section (Stob Invercarnaig can be seen in our wake):

Actually, what "must be Stob Binnein," turned out to be the "minor top" above Creag Antair. Jack celebrates and sniffs around the "top" (we didn't want to break the news to him yet):Each top brought more of the surrounding landscape into view, and we were inspired to push on:
And on...
Until we reached ... you guessed it ... what "must be Stob Binnein."
Actually, I was sitting atop Stob Coire an Lochain. The cloud cover, as seen behind me, would then part briefly enough to reveal a ridge heading even higher into the unknown. We were determined to press on - though the wind now surpassed savagery, and though the summit was no where in sight:
The road was bleak:
But we had already come so far:
Until another brief clearing brought the summit into view. That must be Stob Binnein:
Almost there...
Their faces say it all really: