After three days going stir crazy looking out the window at the rain and wind , today's forecast had me scuttling away up to Dalmally to try this walk . I was parked up by the bridge nice and early and set off up the track at 0730 ,meeting some locals on the way.
The first couple of miles are on a good track , as I got further up the wind kept freshening and I began to wonder whether getting up at half-five was such a good idea after all since the afternoon was meant to be better .
Although the wind was picking up the sun eventually peeked through , making the place a bit more cheery and before long it was time to leave the track and head up the southern ridge of Beinn a'Chochuill.
As I got higher the wind was strong and gusty and I was glad there wasn't any narrowness or scrambling lying in wait , although the burns were full the ground was fairly dry and the going was good.
Eventually I arrived at the ridge and thankfully the wind eased a touch ,making the short climb up to the west a pleasure instead of the grind I was expecting in a gale . As the clouds scudded by views opened up to the north ,I would have loved to get the map out of its case and spread out to see exactly what I was looking at but that will have to wait for a calmer day .
I had to stop and take a quick shot of me at the mystery boulder ( ? ) and on to the summit .
I was looking forward to seeing Ben Cruachan close up but was out of luck ,the clouds refusing to budge, so I headed off back east to the bealach . The walk between the two summits is a fine one and must be lovely on a clear day ,a gentle drop down to the bealach then a steep short climb up to Beinn Eunaich on grass and scree .
Arriving at the summit the clouds lifted and I eventually got my views over to Ben Cruachan ,well worth the wait . After a quick bite and a few more photographs I headed south towards Stob Maol and the descent , at this stage feeling a bit battered by the wind and looking forward to a bit of shelter lower down .
Heading down the ridge I could see Kilchurn Castle had been cut off by flooding at the head of Loch Awe , the route down was pretty flooded as well, heading through peat hags before cutting off to drop steeply back down to the track , a fairly slippy and eroded section but over fairly quickly . Once down on the track a short stroll brought me back to the road . I didn't meet anyone up on the hill but once back at the van I could see a speck moving along the ridge , there were a couple of cars parked up so a few people were out and about . I thoroughly enjoyed the walk but by the time I got down I had definitely had enough of flapping and flailing in the wind . Ben Cruachan next maybe , on a calm day .
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.