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 FlickrAcross the Inner Sound to Skye.
Beinn a'Chlachain-2 by anniesmountains, on FlickrAaaaargh! 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 FlickrCairn at the minor 402m top.
Beinn a'Chlachain-5 by anniesmountains, on FlickrThis 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 FlickrFrozen bubbles.
Beinn a'Chlachain-7 by anniesmountains, on FlickrMore lochans with Raasay and Skye forming the backdrop.
Beinn a'Chlachain-8 by anniesmountains, on FlickrLiathach and Beinn Eighe from the summit.
Beinn a'Chlachain-9 by anniesmountains, on FlickrThe Achnashellach/Coulags Munros and An Ruadh-stac from the summit.
Beinn a'Chlachain-10 by anniesmountains, on FlickrTrig pint at the summit.
Beinn a'Chlachain-11 by anniesmountains, on FlickrI 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 FlickrA line of little lochans, one of which is destined for a hydro scheme.
Beinn a'Chlachain-13 by anniesmountains, on FlickrI 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 FlickrFantastic walk and a good start to the hiking year.
..... and some grand views 
Some cracking photo's as usual 
