The need for speed -the Loch Lochy Munros
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2014 1:13 pmSunshine, warm temperatures and hardly any wind seemed to be the weather from Monday to Friday for most of July, followed my rain during weekends. 
I had hoped August would bring an improvement, but when yet again rain was forecasted for the weekend, my plans had to get altered. Checking 4 different kind of weather forecasting sites and my Munro map it looked as if the west would be dry until late Saturday afternoon - perfect for the 2 Loch Lochy Munros. 
Good bye sunshine...during my drive up through Glencoe
The first clouds around the Ben
Spotted this on the camp site...hard core camping! Cool!
By the time I had packed my camping gear and met Lynne in Spean Bridge it was 8am. Low clouds were draped around the mountains and driving to the starting point, I had the sinking feeling that we would probably walk in the clag all day.
When we arrived we saw a car and a couple unpacking their bikes. Was that the car park? Undecided we decided to drive on and promptly without realizing it, ended up Great Glen Way 
Realising our mistake we returned, while earning some funny looks from the couple now on their bikes...ups.
At Kilfinnan with views towards Loch Lochy
With the car parked and gear packed, we set off. Ok we did not set off, we stormed off in order to stay dry as long as possible.
The walk along the forest track was pleasant and we covered the distance to the track up the hill in no time. The path was steep in places, but a lot better than I had thought, considering we started at loch level. By the time we had reached the open hill site, clag covered the hills. Praying for the weather to improve, we moved on, but God must have been busy elsewhere, as a slight rain set in. Continuing the speedy ascent, by the time we reached the bealach ,we managed to catch up up with the couple on the bikes
..much to our amusement and their disbelief!
Views back after the forest
The views ahead...not very promising
From the bealach the first Munro of the day was to be Meall na Teanga. A faint, yet easy to follow path lead us into the clag. With hoods deep in our faces we reached the cairn, took some photos and not wanting to linger ...(no views anyway) we walked down the hill with breakfast in our hands. When we stepped out of the clag, we realised that the views had improved a tiny bit and we had glimpses across the open moorland...rather stunning even with the rain, but we were sad to have missed the views from the top.
Lynne on the way up Meall na Teanga
Can this clag please lift?
At the first cairn
On the way back
It is still rather lovely
The zigzag path up the other site
Back down at the bealach Lynne asked me to lead the way up the next Munro. The zigzag up hill was great, but with rain and strong winds I stormed off maybe a bit too fast, as soon we were gasping for breath. We met the couple on bikes again, who still struggled with the fact that we over took them.
Chatting with them about the fact that neither of us would have views on the next Munro, we moved along. The path disappeared close to the top and with thick clag we had to use the GPS to find the cairn. At the top 180C of clag could be admired, but at least the rain had mercy, as it stopped briefly. Time for lunch.
The cold wind and rain finally made up leave the summit and we both agreed that at some point we would have to get back to enjoy the views.
Still happy
At Munro number 2
The walk back down the hill was easy and we made good time. Looking back frequently to see if we could spot the couple on bikes (we could not) we reached the forest track and decided that they could not overtake us. Walking back to the car, we must have broken every record in speed walking and sweaty and soaked we reached the cars 6h after setting off...without being overtaken haha. During our drive back to Spean Bridge the heavens opened and it started to chuck it down. Over a huge pot of coffee in the Spean Bridge Hotel, we congratulated ourselves, as least we had missed most of it and hopefully the next time the weather would improve.
It might rain...but it could not dampen our spirits
I had hoped August would bring an improvement, but when yet again rain was forecasted for the weekend, my plans had to get altered. Checking 4 different kind of weather forecasting sites and my Munro map it looked as if the west would be dry until late Saturday afternoon - perfect for the 2 Loch Lochy Munros. Good bye sunshine...during my drive up through Glencoe
The first clouds around the Ben
Spotted this on the camp site...hard core camping! Cool!
By the time I had packed my camping gear and met Lynne in Spean Bridge it was 8am. Low clouds were draped around the mountains and driving to the starting point, I had the sinking feeling that we would probably walk in the clag all day.
When we arrived we saw a car and a couple unpacking their bikes. Was that the car park? Undecided we decided to drive on and promptly without realizing it, ended up Great Glen Way Realising our mistake we returned, while earning some funny looks from the couple now on their bikes...ups.
At Kilfinnan with views towards Loch Lochy
With the car parked and gear packed, we set off. Ok we did not set off, we stormed off in order to stay dry as long as possible.
The walk along the forest track was pleasant and we covered the distance to the track up the hill in no time. The path was steep in places, but a lot better than I had thought, considering we started at loch level. By the time we had reached the open hill site, clag covered the hills. Praying for the weather to improve, we moved on, but God must have been busy elsewhere, as a slight rain set in. Continuing the speedy ascent, by the time we reached the bealach ,we managed to catch up up with the couple on the bikes
..much to our amusement and their disbelief! Views back after the forest
The views ahead...not very promising
From the bealach the first Munro of the day was to be Meall na Teanga. A faint, yet easy to follow path lead us into the clag. With hoods deep in our faces we reached the cairn, took some photos and not wanting to linger ...(no views anyway) we walked down the hill with breakfast in our hands. When we stepped out of the clag, we realised that the views had improved a tiny bit and we had glimpses across the open moorland...rather stunning even with the rain, but we were sad to have missed the views from the top.
Lynne on the way up Meall na Teanga
Can this clag please lift?
At the first cairn
On the way back
It is still rather lovely
The zigzag path up the other site
Back down at the bealach Lynne asked me to lead the way up the next Munro. The zigzag up hill was great, but with rain and strong winds I stormed off maybe a bit too fast, as soon we were gasping for breath. We met the couple on bikes again, who still struggled with the fact that we over took them.
Chatting with them about the fact that neither of us would have views on the next Munro, we moved along. The path disappeared close to the top and with thick clag we had to use the GPS to find the cairn. At the top 180C of clag could be admired, but at least the rain had mercy, as it stopped briefly. Time for lunch.The cold wind and rain finally made up leave the summit and we both agreed that at some point we would have to get back to enjoy the views.
Still happy
At Munro number 2
The walk back down the hill was easy and we made good time. Looking back frequently to see if we could spot the couple on bikes (we could not) we reached the forest track and decided that they could not overtake us. Walking back to the car, we must have broken every record in speed walking
and sweaty and soaked we reached the cars 6h after setting off...without being overtaken haha. During our drive back to Spean Bridge the heavens opened and it started to chuck it down. Over a huge pot of coffee in the Spean Bridge Hotel, we congratulated ourselves, as least we had missed most of it and hopefully the next time the weather would improve.It might rain...but it could not dampen our spirits
Was a bit gutted as occasionally the clag lifted to reveal potentially tremendous views. A walk I would love to repeat in fine weather I think.
Love this report, quite new to the Munro game. This has given me confidence it will be a lovely couple to conquer when the weather is good. Thank you for the photos too