Beinn Maol Chalium, Glen Etive. 25th September 2012

We awoke early and just like yesterday the wind was still blowing at gale force and it was raining. Again we opted for the lie in and lazy breakfast. By late morning the rain had stopped and we were able to take the tent down. This did prove to be some what troublesome in gale force winds. At one point me and Vicks were almost blown away when the wind caught the tent fly sheet as we trying to pack it away turning it into a huge parachute. Eventually we managed to pack everything into the car without further incident and jumped in. We looked at the guide book and decided to go into Glen Etive and walk Beinn Maol Chalium.

Beinn Trilleachan & Beinn Sgulaird from Beinn Maol Chalium, Glen Etive. 25/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Leaving the Kings House Hotel we crossed over the A82 and took the single track road into Glen Etive. At 1st we drove right past the car park we were looking for and ended up at the Loch Etive car park. We turned around and drove back along the road to the car park at the beginning of the walk on the map its marked as a cattle grid they no longer exist and are now car parks (NN149495). I attempted to jump out the car but was hit straight away by the wind blowing the car door shut again. I went for option two which was to climb over the seats, retrieve the kettle and stove. I then proceeded to put the kettle on and brew up. Over a hot brew we came to the conclusion that we should just go for it.

The broad sweeping ridge of Beinn Maol Chalium, Glen Etive. 25/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The walk starts from the car park at 1st there is a faint path that leads up hill in between the gap in the forests to reach the broad south ridge (NN145495). Continue up the ridge until progress is barred by a ring of crags at 600m (NN145515) these can be easily turned on the left. Then simply continue up the broad ridge to reach the 1st summit (NN142518). At this point the wind was blowing with such force it was virtually impossible to make any forward movement and we had to time our steps to when the wind eased. We eventually arrived at the true summit of Beinn Maol Chalium (NN135526) to be greeted by total calm. Not a single gust of wind was touching the summit. It was quite spooky as we could hear it raging all around us. I'm assuming the wind must have been hitting the Bidean Massif and blowing straight over the top of us.

The two summit cairns of Beinn Maol Chalium, Glen Etive. 25/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

It was a strange sensation to be sitting on a mountain with the noise of the raging wind all around us enjoying lunch in perfect calmness. We watched the rain blowing through Glen Etive and not one drop touched us. The clouds were blowing through so fast the whole landscape was changing from dark and moody to brightly lit and almost summer like in an instant. We sat there in perfect calmness quite relaxed watching natures disco for almost an hour before we braved the descent back to the car.

Stob an Fhuarain, Sgurr na h-Ulaidh & Beinn Fhionnlaidh from Beinn Maol Chalium, Glen Etive. 25/09/2012

 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Our descent was to reverse the way we had ascended and this did not go with out incident. The wind was constantly blowing us off course and every now and then a really savage gust would hit us that just knocked us off our feet. Progress was slow, steady and at times walking just 10m seemed to take an age against such a savage wind. Eventually weather beaten we arrived back at the car, it was a huge relief to get in and shelter from the wind. We sat there for while content with our achievement before Vickie started the car and the long return journey back to Glasgow.

Loch Etive from Beinn Maol Chalium, Glen Etive. 25/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Meall Lighiche, Glen Coe. 24th September 2012

During the night the wind speed had picked up to gale force with the odd shower of heavy rain that woke us every now and then. By the morning the wind was ferocious and it was raining. I looked out of the tent and things were looking miserable so I suggested that we have a lie in and a lazy breakfast in the hope the weather would improve.

Aonach Dubh a Glinne, Glen Coe. 24/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The plan worked and by late morning the rain had passed. We decided to walk a hill called Meall Lighiche that sits just out of sight of the A82 at the head of Glen Coe. Vickie drove the short distance along the A82 from the Kingshouse and parked at an unmarked car park (NN120563). We changed into our walking gear just beside the car packed up our lunches and spare bits and pieces and began the walk in.

Meall Lighiche, Glen Coe. 24/09/2012  (Photo: A J Thorley)

From the car park walk along the road towards Glencoe Village and cross over the road to a 4x4 track (NN118565) that leads south into Gleann Leac na Muidhe. Continue on this track until you reach a signposted diversion that takes you around the cottages (NN114552) on the southern side of the cottages and then returns to the track. Pass through the farm buildings using the gates and stiles. The shepherds were busy tending to their flocks of sheep when we passed through and we were almost knocked off our feet by all the sheep. The 4x4 track soon fades to a path as it turns to the left where it meets Allt na Muidhe (NN105545). Ignore this path and cross the river and a fence runs up the hillside with a faint path beside it. Follow this path until it is possible to leave it (NN103543) and walk up the broad north ridge (NN102537) of Meall Lighiche to Creag Bhan (NN102531) there is no foot path.

Gleann Leac na Muidhe with the Aonach Eagach Ridge in the background, Glen Coe. 24/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

Arriving at Creag Bhan we were exposed to the full force of the wind which at times was preventing us from walking. Looking around we had fabulous views of the Aonach Eagach behind us, to our left Sgurr na h-Ulaidh and in front of us we could see the broad sweep of the ridge that leads to the true summit of Meall Lighiche and to the right of that stunning views of Beinn a Bheither. We struggled against the wind and picked up the line of fence posts that leads directly to the summit (NN094528). On our arrival at the summit we were greeted with heavy rain that was being driven so hard by the wind it was painful when it hit your face. Soaked to the skin in minutes we simply turned around and descended the way we had come.

Beinn a Bleithir from Meall Lighiche, Glen Coe. 24/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)

The rain passed by the time we reached the floor of the glen but the wind was unrelenting. We took shelter by one of the small plantations of trees to eat and have a little to drink before walking back to the car. Luckily the wind dried all our clothes as we walked back. It was relief to jump in to the car and get out of the wind. It was early evening so we called into the Glen Coe Visitor Centre before returning to the tent at the Kings House Hotel. Driving back past Loch Achtriochtan the wind was blowing with such force the water from the loch was hitting the car as if it was raining, there was also tree branches flying across the road one of which just missed us. We settled in the tent for the night and hoped that following day things would improve.   

The summit cairn on Meall Lighiche looking west towards Fraochaidh, Glen Coe. 24/09/2012 (Photo: A J Thorley)