Beinn a Chochuill and Beinn Eunaich from Glen Noe

[Sspaterson]

Chose to ascend these two from Glen Noe, a sea level start - yikes! I was a bit anxious about the lack of path and bog factor but all things considered this way wasn't too bad at all.

We started right at the new hydro construction site and headed off up past the farm.

Funny wee toorie on top of this farm building - used for drying out game

The path is easy to begin with but peters our after the sheep folds. Our advice was to aim for the fence enclosing the new tree plantation and follow the argo tracks.

Nice sunrise

Alternative view of Ben Cruachan which we'd done earlier in the year. It's huuuuuuuuuuuuge!

Ben Cruachan

Pointy Ben Cruachan

Nice view back down the glen to Loch Etive

Loch Etive

Looking back down the argo track and fence

The plantation fence

The path ahead, or not really. Would be a test of navigation skills in poor weather. At this point I was remembering the film Follow the Rabbitproof Fence which then morphed into Follow the Yellowbrick Road and thus this was stuck in my head for a good stretch. Doesn't everyone have an ear worm when climbing? Even Joe Simpson had one in Touching the Void. It's become a bit of a standing joke between my brother and I so that if either of us know the other is about to embark on a hill walk, we'll try to text an annoying song just for sibling banter like.

Onwards and upwards

Nice pano with husband included. Really glad we came this way as we met not another soul and the views were great.

Pano

The anxieties of no path disappeared only to be replaced with some about the rutting stags that were all over the place. Wondered how my walking sticks would fair as a defence tactic should the need arise. Fortunately they seemed more scared of us and legged it the other way as we approached. Perhaps it was my singing Follow the Yellowbrick Road wot did it!

Mr Stag

The clag was sitting at about 800m. We aimed for that funny wee notch in the distance and kept it to our left. Noticed that on the OS map there is a pillar marked. Didn't see anything so not sure if it still exists or if indeed, this was it.

Once on the ridge the cliffs to the north are something to be aware of, especially in poor visibility or snow.

Craggy notch

Anyhoo, the going after this is pretty easy and we got to the top. In the clag and met up with the first humans of the day. I didn't take a pic here as you could see bugger all. But once out the clag, the path is easy to Beinn Eunaich. There is a cairn marking the path back down the more popular route from Stronmilchan. We plodded on and got to the next Munro pretty quickly. Jacket now on as it was windy from the north and a tad chilly.

But the clag lifted, yay! Lovely wee views peeking up everywhere.

Clag lifting

Yours truly

After a quick handful of fruit and nuts and a flapjack we now had to retrace our steps, effectively doing three Munros and Beinn a Chochuill twice in one day.

And it's back the way we came

Once again seeing no-one on the way back and the views were worth it.

Looking into the distance

And at least we got it clear enough to admire the gentle art of stone balancing on the cairn

Stone balancing

The return journey from the top seemed a lot longer than on the way up. It wasn't arduous like going over peat hags but my feet got tired pointing downwards and my old knee injury started to twinge. Never took many pics on the way back as I was getting tired and slightly grumpy and very grateful to finally reach the fence and argo track. Even more delighted to reach the farm track.

A great wee route. My hubby has been working at the new hydro plant so we were able to access the road but normally you'd have to park in the forestry car park and could cycle in a good deal stretch and leave bikes at farm. Until the hydro plant is finished I wouldn't advise doing this route during the week because of all the construction traffic but a nice, quiet alternative for the future.