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Hill: Beinn Trilleachan
Date: Saturday 22nd January 2011
Company: Myself and Steve
Time: 5Hrs 35MinsI met Steve in Tyndrum this morning before car-sharing to the end of Glen Etive.
We arrived at the start of the walk just before 09:30. Once suited and booted, following a quick photo we were on our way.
Myself and Steve at start of walk (Beinn Trilleachan in background):
We followed the path alongside the fence and forest until reaching the base of the ridge.
The path was frozen hard this morning but it was quite boggy on the way back.
Feint path alongside forest:
Ben Starav looked really nice this morning, a Munro I would like to repeat. A frozen waterfall, about half-way up, looked like it would be a good ice-climb.
Ben Starav:
As we gained height, we got nice views of Loch Etive and views of the distant Cruachan hills.
Ben Starav, Loch Etive and distant Beinn Cruachan:
On reaching the base of the ridge, we then made our way up the ridge. We had to detour numerous outcrops during the ascent.
Ascent of Beinn Trilleachan:
As we gained height we saw more and more hills. It was turning out to be a wonderful day.
Glen Etive Munros:
The view North towards the Buachailles was impressive.
View towards the Buachailles (zoomed):
View towards the Buachailles:
U-shaped glacial-carved valley between the Buachailles (zoomed):
Ascent of Beinn Trilleachan:
From about 400m upwards, many of the granite slabs were covered in ice. However, it was easy to avoid the slabs via grassy lines in between.
Heading towards 767m top of Beinn Trilleachan:
Steve and a great view:
As we gained height we also got views of Bidean Nam Bian and the Black Mount Munros.
More hills come into view as height is gained:
Was nice to catch views of Loch Etive on looking down the various gullies.
Loch Etive:
The summit of Beinn Trilleachan looked quite far off, however it didn't take too long to reach it.
Approaching 767m top, Beinn Trilleachan summit in distance:
Beinn Sgulaird:
Steve approaching 767m top:
Beinn Trilleachan from 767m top:
On reaching the 767m top, I had a look ahead to check out what I thought would potentially be a tricky section. There is a 70m drop that is reasonably steep with lots of outcrops on it.
After stopping to put on my crampons, I soon caught-up with Steve who had forged ahead route-finding down the outcrops.
Steep gully above Trilleachan (Etive) slabs:
On looking back, the 70m descent looked worse than it actually was. Easy enough to zig-zag down avoiding most of the rock.
Looking back at descent from 767m top:
767m top and Glen Etive Munros:
On reaching the top of the next gully, I stopped to have a look at a potential descent route. With a small cornice at the top and what looked like some avalanche debris down below, this descent route was soon ruled out. We would be returning the way we came.
Steep descent gully:
En-route to the summit, I stopped to take a photo of Stob Dubh. I ascended this yesterday.
Looking across to steep ascent of Stob Dubh undertaken yesterday (zoomed):
On reaching the summit, we stopped to take a few photos. We didn't hang around too long as it was a bit chilly.
I think Beinn Trilleachan is an impressive viewpoint - possibly the best hill in Glen Etive.
Inversion-covered Loch Etive from summit of Beinn Trilleachan:
Beinn Trilleachan summit cairn:
Inversion-covered Loch Etive:
Steve and myself at summit:
From the summit, we returned via the same route.
The re-ascent of the 767m top was quite straight-forward.
Loch Etive from ascent of 767m top:
Descent towards Loch Etive:
A really enjoyable day. Good company, great hill, fantastic views.
I look forward to doing Beinn Trilleachan again.
