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Meall Chuaich as only my 9th Munro was an enjoyable but relentless journey at times
The opening gate to the country felt like an instant welcome escape to the country where we were quickly greeted by the local sheep. The walk towards the mountain with full energy felt exciting and open with the open air of smaller hills all around you, however back the way the walk felt tiresome and painfully repetitive at times with the constant twists and turns of the aquaduct somewhat mirroring the false summits of a munro.
The walk up the munro felt welcome after so much flat land and a few boggy areas were passed in the initial climb until we found a rythm in the higher areas, the climb feels steep and relentless but with only one water stop and a head down attitude the smaller summit of Stac Meall Chuaich came quickly.
Here we had our lunch and a brief photo of the nearby summit (which seems closer than it is)
![Chauich pic 1.jpg]()
- Our lunch spot
Food digested we trudged our way up the pathless ascent, choosing to stick to the left side of the boulder field where the ground was more angled but at least flatter. Soon after clearing past the boulders we were making an ascent and feeling utterly fresh, the large summit cairn came with no false ones beforehand.
![Chuaic pic 2.jpg]()
- Me on the summit!
Without a doubt the hardest part of this mountain was the journey down, first through the boulder field then down what felt like cliff faces down the initial climb. It felt difficult to be in control the whole way down until battered we were trudging back to the car, the lack of new terrain zapping our energy. Getting to the layby with our car however gave me the chance to smile and appreciate the rewarding hill.
Meall Chuaich is the first munro of my bagging journey, like many people I'd experienced a few (8) munros on birthday trips or camping weekends but with a newfound passion in hillclimbing from my local Pentlands in Edinburgh it felt thrilling to get a munro peak down. Looking forward to my next come monday 4th.
