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)