Hills: Beinn an Eoin and Baosbheinn
Date: Saturday 2nd October 2010
Company: Just me
Time: 8Hrs 15Mins
Dog friendly: Yes
Given the poor weather forecast for this weekend, Saturday surpassed all expectations - not one shower all day but very windy above 600m. I parked in the car park next to the Red Barn (which is green). I then set off along a good track between Meall Lochan a'Chleirich and Meall a'Ghlas-Leothaid.
Click here to see a map of the route undertaken
Looking back to Red Barn car park:
After walking a couple of kilometres, to reach the high-point of the track, the full length of Baosbheinn suddenly comes into view. What a spectacular hill!
First full view of Baosbheinn:
The next few kilometres of the walk, alongside the Abhainn a' Gharbh Choire, are quite stunning.
Scenic walk-in:
After crossing the Abhainn Loch na h-Oidhche, I walked as far as a cairn at the side of the track and then crossed an area of wet ground to reach the base of Beinn an Eoin.
Looking towards 682m top of Beinn an Eoin:
Baosbheinn:
After reaching the base of the hill, I followed a faint track up an easy gully until reaching an area of sandstone slabs.
Ascent of lower slopes of Beinn an Eoin:
On reaching the slabs, I stopped to take some photographs across Loch Maree.
Loch Maree and Beinn Airigh Charr from Beinn an Eoin:
There is a sizeable cairn on the slabs. Directly opposite this cairn, I ascended towards the 682m top of Beinn an Eoin.
Slioch silhouette from Coire Loch na Geala:
Looking across Letterewe to distant An Teallach:
Slioch and Beinn a'Mhuinidh:
The walk along the ridge of Beinn an Eoin took quite a bit longer than expected. The wind was quite ferocious. I had to walk into this wind along the length of the ridge.
Looking along ridge of Beinn an Eoin towards summit:
I was seriously impressed with the views from Beinn an Eoin – possibly the best viewpoint in Torridon?
Beinn Alligin:
Beinn Dearg:
Liathach:
Baosbheinn across Loch na h-Oidhche:
I followed the zig-zag path up the final steep ascent of Beinn an Eoin until reaching the summit shelter and small summit cairn just beyond.
Final steep ascent of Beinn an Eoin:
Looking back along ridge of Beinn an Eoin:
Beinn Dearg and Beinn Alligin from summit of Beinn an Eoin:
Despite the incredible views I didn't spend long at the summit – it was far too windy up there.
Summit shelter on Beinn an Eoin:
Beinn Eighe:
View from summit:
From the summit, I retraced my steps back along the ridge, descended back down the gully and made my way back to the track at the end of Loch na h-Oidhche. At this point I was a bit indecisive about whether to also ascend Baosbheinn. It had taken me 4.5Hrs thus far. I estimated that it would take 2 hours to ascend Baosbheinn and get back to the track (actually took about 2Hrs 15Mins).
Looking along Loch na h-Oidhche:
Beinn an Eoin ridge from lower slopes of Baosbheinn:
I crossed the outflow of the loch beside the remains of an old bridge - lots of stepping stones below where the bridge used to be. I then made my way towards An reidh-choire. I ascended up the coire before ascending to the left to gain the grassy ridge leading towards the summit.
Grassy ascent towards summit of Baosbheinn:
Steep drop off Baosbheinn:
Tops of Baosbheinn:
Was a bit surprised at how easy Baosbheinn was.
Final ascent to summit of Baosbheinn:
Again I didn't spend much time at the summit a) because it was windy and b) because I wanted to get back at a reasonable time to meet friends at the Torridon Inn.
Beinn Eighe, Beinn Dearg and Liathach from summit of Baosbheinn:
Beinn Alligin from summit of Baosbheinn:
Looking along Baosbheinn ridge:
From the summit of Baosbheinn, I made my way back to the track beside the outflow of the loch and then followed the scenic track back out to the Red Barn. Really enjoyed these hills – some of the best in Torridon.