Beinn Eunaich & Beinn a' Chochuill - the not so steep way

[e_hall2001]

This is my first walk report so be gentle

After completing Ben Cruachan and Stob Daimh some time ago I'd had these on my list for some time. I read a few reports from Mountainlove, HalfManHalfTitanium and the watched
the video from the HighlandHikers and a few others and had decided to do it differently to WH and start with the steep ascent up Beinn Eunaich first.

I'd stayed in Oban the night before so the drive to the layby where I parked the car want to bad. There was only one car in the layby when I got there at 8.am so parking wasn't a problem.

I left the car at 8.02 and before long could see the Highland Cattle that so many reports had mentioned, thankfully the were all laying in the long grass of the main road.

Getting the 100 yard stare

Thankful I didn't have to walk through the herd I marched on towards the first turn that would put me on the Landrover track on the right.

The forecast for the day was sunny, but looking at the clouds coming in I was glad I brought my waterproof jacket.

The walk up the Landrover track was a little cheeky, with the incline starting to make me wish I had not had a few beers the night before. But 30 minutes after leaving the car I had hit the Cairn that marked the ascent/decent of Beinn Eunaich.

Looking back down the path to Loch Awe and Kilchurn Castle

I wasn't sure if this was the way I wanted go as a few reports mentioned the steep climb, but a look up I could another Hiker about half way up (the owner of the other car in the layby no doubt). Also, I enjoy going up hills, much more than I like coming down so thinking it would be better to get it out the way first I marched up.

The Cairn that marks the way up the hill towards Beinn Eunaich

This was steep don't get me wrong I found myself on my tiptoes on more than one occasion, and passed the Hiker I had spotted from the path with a quick "hello" I walked on by her. But it was fine I wouldn't say it's the steepest hill I'd walked up and it would be ok going down if you decided to go with the WH route direction. 30 minutes later and I was up over the steep but as it leveled out.

Just over the hill, steep bit done

Then it was just a march up a gradual incline up to Beinn Eunaich, The clouds closing at this point so it was time for my jacket to come out.

A walk in the clouds

Hood down into the clouds and was at the first top of the day Beinn Eunaich which took 1 hour and 47 minutes from the car... Boss

Beinn Eunaich number 84... Done

The decent from Beinn Eunaich was fine a little slippy on the rocks and what looked like a little ridge to climb down with a little bit of a scramble would would have been spectacular had I been able to see anything.

Rocks and sheep to keep me company

The rain stopped and the clouds cleared briefly on the bealach up towards Beinn a' Chochuill.

Once more into the clouds

Finally made it to the Cairn marking the the ascent for those choosing Beinn a' Chochuill first.

The Cairn marking the way up/down

I decided to give the WH app a go for the first time, it oing me at exactly the right point. Good app to have as an a back up.

First time using the WH app, I'm impressed 👍 thanks Dev

Although cloudy and unable to see the way up to Beinn a' Chochuill clearly it was quite warm with hardly an wind so it was a nice walk, all's that was missing was the sun....and the views.

Path clearly visible the whole route.. well 100 metres of it

Just over an hour and four minutes from the first top, I bagged my second for the day Beinn a' Chochuill.

Another one in the bag Beinn a' Chochuill (85)

And with that I started to head down the route I had just walked up towards the Cairn that marks the turn to get down. I had only seen one other Hiker on the way up and not another sole all day.

This was untill I got a little way down, I met two fellow Hikers who stopped for a chat, it was nice to meet you, sorry I never got your names.

Thankful for the human contact I marched down again and bumping into another couple of Hikers, from then I seen hikers evey 10 minutes or so a few people bagging Beinn a' Chochuill & Beinn Eunaich.

I own this hill

After a few more snaps of the Highland Cows, I was back at the car in 4 hours and 26 minutes. A wonderful couple of Munros, shame about the weather (but no Midges so bonus).