Blowing off the Cobwebs on Beinn a'Chlachain

[AnnieMacD]

Track_2015-02-14 Beinn a'Chlachain.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

After a 2.5 month break, I'm back! Now that the days are getting longer there are enough hours of daylight for me to get a decent walk in without spending half the time in the dark. I had difficulty deciding where to go but as I knew the Grahams were pretty much snow-free I decided to stay close to home and go up Beinn a'Chlachain yet again. I try not to repeat a route I've already done and this was no exception - but it did make for a long walk for one wee hill.

I started off nice and early and it was a gorgeous day. I walked up the long shoulder to the minor top (with a big cairn) and had a first snack.

Beinn a'Chlachain by anniesmountains, on Flickr

Across the Inner Sound to Skye.
Beinn a'Chlachain-2 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

Aaaaargh! I'm glad I didn't come across this in the mist.
Beinn a'Chlachain-3 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

Beinn a'Chlachain-4 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

Cairn at the minor 402m top.
Beinn a'Chlachain-5 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

This route is a great one if you want to avoid steepness, so made for a great walk for the unfit me! It was a long, slow haul from sea level up to 626m.

Lots of lovely frozen lochans all the way up.
Beinn a'Chlachain-6 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

Frozen bubbles.
Beinn a'Chlachain-7 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

More lochans with Raasay and Skye forming the backdrop.
Beinn a'Chlachain-8 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

Liathach and Beinn Eighe from the summit.
Beinn a'Chlachain-9 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

The Achnashellach/Coulags Munros and An Ruadh-stac from the summit.
Beinn a'Chlachain-10 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

Trig pint at the summit.
Beinn a'Chlachain-11 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

I headed north-west and after one wee gully it was a very gentle descent on and off deer paths all the way to the road just north of Salacher.

Descending to the north-west. Rona and North Skye in the distance. It was a wee bit too hazy to get good views of the Outer Isles and the Shiants - I could just make them out on the horizon.
Beinn a'Chlachain-12 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

A line of little lochans, one of which is destined for a hydro scheme.
Beinn a'Chlachain-13 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

I then had a long trek back along the road to the start. Just 100m before I reached my car, I was offered a lift A bit too late for my tired feet.

View over to Skye from near Sand. Beinn a Cro is the pyramid-shaped hill, Bla Bheinn in the centre and Garbh Bheinn to its right.
Beinn a'Chlachain-14 by anniesmountains, on Flickr

Fantastic walk and a good start to the hiking year.

[onsen]

Great pics & beautiful views......

[Collaciotach]

Bha latha breagha agaibh ..... and some grand views

Met an acquaintance of yours today at Fire Brigade BA training , Donald MacKenzie from Applecross a grand fella

[Petr Dakota]

Beautiful photos !
I love the area there...

[BlackPanther]

Glad to see you back on the hills Lovely little Graham, I have to add it to my list for shorter days!

I don't see anything wrong with repeating mountains, even wit the same route. Myself, I have a few targets to climb again, mainly because I didn't see anything the first time... or I want to revisit a hill in winter conditions.

The deer carcass photo made me jump - good stuff for horror movies!

[kev_russ]

Back on form Annie

[rockhopper]

A great way to get back into your stride, Annie, and I do like that last B&W photo - cheers

[Beaner001]

That's an area im not too familiar with Annie, thanks for posting.
Those pics are really great, the ones of Skye and the Isles are beautiful
Good to see you back out on the hills making us all jealous of your local area

[Fife Flyer]

Looked like a nice walk Annie, love the photo of the row of lochans Some cracking photo's as usual

[johnkaysleftleg]

The views of Skye and Torridon look superb, wonderful pictures as always.

[Huff_n_Puff]

Great report and photos Annie, I think a visit to Applecross is called for, your photos are really enticing

[AnnieMacD]

Thanks everyone, it was great to be back in the hills. I've got two more reports to write up but so busy at work just now, I haven't been able to fit them in, grrrr!

[clivegrif]

Great report and fantastic photos! Wish I had views like that from the top of my local hill

Looking forward to June & my annual trip north.