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Added a new video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxkln-o6xHgOn arrival this spectacular wee hill could not have been any less spectacular. To say I was a little disappointed would be an understatement given my visit to Ben Arthur was also enshrouded in the same none spectacular Scotch Mist just 3 days previous.
I had driven here like a man possessed in the hope of getting to the top and seeing many magnificent views so had to make a decision to go or not? looking around I could see rather a few others wondering the same. Given that I had been to the top of Ben Arthur and deciding on that occasion to leave the summit with all its mist to get back to the car only to look back and see the mist starting to clear I decided that will not happen again. So lets go for it. I started off up the path
Only my second major hill in 3 days. With so much hope. So many great stories
After a while I met 2 lovely German girls who said they actually lived in Bavaria
They said they were waiting for the Scotch Mist to move away and pretty much just at that and as if on q
a glimpse of what was to come.
I was getting really excited at this point and as the girls decided they were going for it I followed along taking snaps every now and again. Eventually losing the girls as they hoofed along out of site.
.
I caught up with the girls again round the back of Stac Pollaidh. They were standing there looking at me and saying its a lot worse up here. Poor souls looked terrified and all I could do was tell them about my experience with Ben Arthur on the Saturday before. I'm going all the way I said!
I checked the map one of the girls had in her walking book and quickly determined the way up. Said bye to the girls and found myself all on my own again. Step after step getting steeper and steeper, mistier and mistier.
At no point did I think it was time to go down. The path is so well constructed and I researched the route well before hand. The only way is up.
Every now and again teased by a faint glimpse of what could be
. Until I reached this section which was very steep. I sat for maybe 10 to 15mins
hoping that it would get better.
I knew there was not very far to go and eventually made the Saddle
with nothing to see but Scotch Mist. I waited! and waited! not sure how long! could have been 20 mins or 40 mins.
I did a wee bit of wondering around. It was actually very enjoyable. After a little while other walkers arrived and we all got chatting. I met A couple from Australia and several Scottish folks. One guy who had finished all the Munro's just last year.
but not much to see really. I waited.
And then! out of the blue as if by magic the mist started to clear
and once and for all I was starting to think today persistence will pay off big style.
.
A little while later: I could now see my route that had taken me up this magnificent little hill
I made my way up to the small easy summit. Looking down on the saddle
just in time to see the views really open up
the top still shrouded in a bit of mist
The next hour to hour and a half were lost on me completely. I found myself exploring all there is to see and do on this we hill. Many people came and went during my time up here but I wanted more. Much More!
Eventually the mist cleared and you could make out the car park
the route up
and down
Cul Beag
in the mist. Was I glad I persevered? Oh YES
If ever anyone needed an introduction to hill walking then this was it.
Beinn An Eion
shock and awe wow
I was in hill heaven.
I had for a very short brief moment an opportunity to climb to the main summit on the back of a guide taking 2 kids and 2 older ladies up there but my lack of knowledge and experience and a call from a life insurance broker at the wrong time put an end to my day.
All in all an exceptionally brilliant day on Stac Pollaidh and an adventure I will almost certainly enjoy again some day.
As for those 2 Bavarian German Girls? Well I can only guess they realized there mistake by the time they got back to the car.
Awesome.
Added a new video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxkln-o6xHg