Beinn Mhic Mhonaidh via Beautiful Glen Orchy

[roscoT]

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Was looking for something a bit 'off the beaten track' and, given I had walking planned the following day in what looked like more difficult conditions, not overly strenuous. West seemed best in the forecast, so I headed up early to the as yet unexplored (for me) Glen Orchy with a chill in the air and cloud lifting.

Arrived at the empty car park (didn't see another soul all day) after a lovely wee drive along the glen and set off to cross the River Orchy at the Eas Urchaidh falls.

IMG_3393 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Falls by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Followed a slowly ascending track through the forest and started to feel the weight of the previous week's stresses lift off of my shoulders. WH had said the approach was peaceful, which had sealed it as the day's choice, and so it proved - a stillness hung in the air, punctuated by the odd bird call and creaking of a pine tree. After a mile or so, a right turn is taken over a bridge, which follows the burn for a short time, before following a deer fence beside the remnants of caledonian pine (which can only really be seen in the distance). Views left to Beinn na Sroine, Beinn Eunaich and, later, back to the majestic Lui range opened up.

IMG_3400 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Beinn na Sroine and pinewood by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

IMG_3411 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Beinn Eunaich by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Once out of the forest, a gate gives access to the open hillside, which looked fairly steep from the bottom. WH says there is no path, but I did find one to follow to the snowline, after which there were feint footsteps (presumably belonging to a walker the previous day) which I followed for a while before losing. The wind and snow depth picked up significantly as I gained height, with spindrift stinging my face.

IMG_3419 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Ben Lui by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

IMG_3423 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Glen Orchy by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Loch Awe by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

IMG_3433 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

A bit of route finding was necessary on approach to the summit plateau to avoid the deep snow holes - which I failed at admirably! No matter. A left is taken once the plateau is reached, and the full force of the windchill was now in effect. 5 minutes later, the summit cairn was visible in the distance, which I reached and took a few photos - great views and colours, but not the kind of weather you want to hang about in - lunch could wait until I was a bit lower down. The cruachan group and the less-seen backs of the black mount and glencoe ski hills offered the best views.

IMG_3438 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

summit and cruachan range by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

IMG_3441 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

IMG_3445 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Paps of Jura by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

I started back the way I came, eager to stay warm, and descended through increasing spindrift and winds. The top had cleared significantly as I looked back abut half way down.

IMG_3449 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

IMG_3453 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

spindrift and Tyndrum hills by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

IMG_3458 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

Once back in the forest, I had lunch before a relaxing stroll back to the car - the days exertions now behind me. Did a couple of guided meditations from my phone just to reinforce the sense of wellness - all was right with the world, and long, I hoped, may it remain

IMG_3465 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

IMG_3477 by Ross Thomson, on Flickr

[Alteknacker]

Somehow a very restful report and set of pics.

But I should be mad as hell! All the forecasts were poor, so we canned our planned half week in Glen Shiel, and did something low and much further south...

Given the lack of snow this year, I feel quite envious...

[teaandpies]

Oooo I had a quick look at this hill and the 2 Corbetts on the other side before choosing my walk the other day.

It looks as if you might have spent as much time walking as you did driving to the location and back

[Graeme D]

Didn't look too promising at the start but you got a fine day out of it in the end. One of my worst hill days on that one though!

[teaandpies]

Didn't look too promising at the start but you got a fine day out of it in the end. One of my worst hill days on that one though!

I've read that report. It's gonna have to be totally freezing or weeks off drought before I'll be heading up that

[roscoT]

Somehow a very restful report and set of pics.

But I should be mad as hell! All the forecasts were poor, so we canned our planned half week in Glen Shiel, and did something low and much further south...

Given the lack of snow this year, I feel quite envious...

Gutter! Always remember - the hills will still be there for another time!

Yes it was a calm and peaceful walk, however very much the calm before the storm (of the next day's walking - report to follow...)

[roscoT]

Oooo I had a quick look at this hill and the 2 Corbetts on the other side before choosing my walk the other day.

It looks as if you might have spent as much time walking as you did driving to the location and back

Haha, yeah fair point! Going to be making a concerted effort to take my in the coming months.

Saw your report from the orchy pair - looked....fun?

[roscoT]

Didn't look too promising at the start but you got a fine day out of it in the end. One of my worst hill days on that one though!

Yeah a really good half day. Will need to look up your report to know what to avoid!

[rockhopper]

Does make for a nice walk and the signposts through the forest do come in handy - good to see you got some blue sky as well - cheers