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Saturday 24th September 2011
The weather was looking promising and it looked like a good day was in store. Myself and two amigos made three. I allowed myself optimism at the start and decided not to wear the waterproof trousers from the start, just the gaiters would do.
The route is as straightforward as described in many guides. Head up the land rover track and take on Beinn a' Chochuill first then across the ridge to Beinn Eunaich, then head for the end of Stob Maol but take a steep descent back down to the path before the outcrop of Stob Maol.
A nice circular route and a very nice straightforward route.
- Cloud just a bit low at the morning start
Now after you turn off the A85 you are on the B8077 the parking areas are just at the bridge 136 288 on the OS 1:50
Sparse they are. About space at the bridge for maybe three vehicles, four a bit tight, before your annoying whoever owns the gate to the field next to it. Turning back and heading out to the A85 dotted along the road are pull in spots enough for one or two cars without being too much annoyance to the use of the road.
So off we set past Castle Farm and away from the pylons, one of which was half painted. I am told this helps or tries to blend them in. Make them less obtrusive.
- Anything is worth a try to hide them
Following the land rover track on the way I attempted to catch a rainbow.
- Looking up Allt Mhoille trying to catch the fading rainbow
You gain a fair bit of height from the land rover track and its an easy walk in. Open farmland so be prepared to say a hello to sheep and some bullocks and cows too.
As the land rover track turns right, we followed it for just a few hundred metres maybe and stopped for a snack. After this it was time for the steep work of the day so far. Steep grassy slopes to lead up to the ridge that would then lead westward to the Beinn a' Chochuill summit.
I took some boiled eggs in my little snack box with me this time and they are a great snack on the hills. I recommend them.
- Snack time and view to Kileburn Castle
- Time for work now - two amigos ahead onto the steep slope
The grassy slope is a long push up. Again that classic thing a munro does is as you gain height the top stretches further away it would seem. Making you look at the ground head down and plough forward step by step hoping to look up and see a top.
Stopping in between though did present some nice views. The cloud was sitting low on Stob Diamh and toward Ben Cruchan. We were hoping for the summit before that cloud came over to us. The wind was indeed catching up and getting quite blowy.
- Gaining height and lookin back to Kileburn
- Hoping the clouds just stay where they are
It is a good steep ascent. Straightforward no scrambling really but just head down and get on with it straight up.
This next pic shows my most regular position of being on catch up and lagging behind. Also though in this pic the top you see is not a top. It is just near the top. And that top is only the top of the ridge. Once there you turn left and head for the true top. Making you think where the *%$* is the top!!!
They never make an easy munro.
- Catching up on the slope up
You do encounter a path after the initial grassy slope push up. The path leads you quite well to the ridge and all the way to the summit.
And finally in very windy conditions the gratuitous summit photo. Glen Kinglass behind and a nice view down that glen indeed.
- A lucky number 13 for me, great views, we beat that cloud.
Did not hang about on the summit as the wind was getting quite harsh. It was fine walking but stopping meant the heat was leaving you quick and I was thinking about my fleece top inside my rucksack.
So it was a few photos and a push on toward Beinn Eunaich. Again I was chasing rainbows.
- Looking across Meall Vorlich to Glen Kinglass, a great view
From here it is a nice path to follow. Clearly marked and trodden out. The path takes you quite a long way down to go a fair bit back up again. They do not make them too easy ever. You will encounter some scree sections and the path loses itself in places as you near the top. The scree is patchy and not really too difficult and a very mini scramble where the hands are on the rock and your clambering a little.
- Next target in sight, the path to Beinn Eunaich
A quick summit again as the cloud we missed earlier was catching up and misting in. We headed back off and down toward Stob Maol. A bit of a contrast this hill. A steep climb on one side, with a little scree followed by a long gradual grassy descent.
- Number 14 how do you do Beinn Eunaich
- Loch Etive from Beinn Eunaich as the cloud mists in
- two amigos - walkers in the mist
- Looking back to Beinn Euanaich
- Nice view down to Loch Awe and Kileburn from the slopes of Beinn Eunaich
Now the way back down is long and gradual but if you go too far you will go off the edge of Stob Maol. Yes you could go all this way or even cut down by the waterfall but I think you would encounter outcrop and very steep slopes.
13286 30947 for an OS:50 ref point is where you want to drop down. You will catch a descent path. Visually as you walk over Stob Maol it is where there is a huge distinct cut in the peat line.
It is steep and easier on long legged fellows in some parts. But does take you down back to the land rover track very quick.
If you wish you could reverse this route and ascent Beinn Eunaich first but you will encounter then 2 steep descents, the first off eunaich to the ridge across to Beinn a' Chochuill the next off Chochuill itself.
The cairn at 13015 30669 is the marker point for the path that leads off Stob Maol to the land rover track - if you wish to ascent this way - that is your marker.
- Marker cairn on the land rover track coming off Stob Maol
- Looking back to where we have been, Beinn a' Chochuill
Overall another great day, a great walk. I would really put these down as a pair of great easy ish peaks for people not looking for serious scrambles and scary drops. It is overall a straightforward round trip. As always in worse weather and even snow then things would be very different. A great day out and a great pair of peaks to take in.
We made good time this day mostly thanks to the wind keeping us from lingering too long.
The days are drawing shorter. The weather is drawing in. Now the odds are changing it is a gamble more into winter how easy or how wise access to these hills will be as winter comes in.
But so far these are a fine two hills to end the summer with and for me it has been a good summer with some great views along the way.
Last is a little video coming off Beinn Eunaich as the cloud just skips the tops pushed across quick and fast with the winds.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQdGLpf7cuI[/youtube]