Wet, wet, wet

[kmai1961]

set off, 10:00
summit, 14:00
car, 17:15

with Jimmy. Met at Loch Fyne around 9:30; the rain was pishing down, so we waited around for a half-hour or so, to see if it would clear, as it was forecast to do. It sort of did, so we threw on the kit and headed up the glen. I don't think it was too bad at first, I do remember taking my jacket off at one point, but it didn't stay off for long.

It was a long slog up the hill, and there were very few views (over two days, this one and the next -- Seana Braigh -- I took only 16 photos in total, and about half of those are down to Jimmy taking multiple summit selfies w/o realizing it). Finding the top of Beinn Bhuidhe wasn't easy in the mist -- I don't think it would have been all that easy even without the mist. It's one of those typical Loch Lomond / Arrochar Alps hills that many people seem to think are easy (maybe that's just because they're the closest ones to those of us living on this side of the country?): rough terrain, either steep up or down, no in-between, lots of knobbly knolls, and very disorientating. But we got there in the end, took a quick photo, and headed back down. The rain did finally stop, and the cloud lifted somewhat, giving us a few views down the glens -- at least we could now see where we were meant to be!

The long walk back up the glen was just that -- long -- but pleasant enough, as it gave us a chance to dry off before getting back to the cars and driving north (for 4 hours!!**) to Ullapool.

** Long as the drive was, there were some really lovely sections, where I'd never been before: from Inveraray across to Dalmally held stunning views over Cruachan & friends, including some impressive views of the dam. The single track through Glen Orchy was long, but there were some very nice falls along the river. As it was a (by then) a nice evening, Glencoe offered its usual awesomeness, and the bit from Drumnadrochit over toward Beauly, which was also new to me, was nice as well, with good views to the north, including Ben Wyvis.

down the glen, just after we started to ascend

summit selfie -- rather appalling conditions

glimpse of the top once we'd started down

clearing somewhat as we headed down