Hill: Bac An Eich
Date: Thursday 9th April 2009
Company: Just me
Time: 4 hours
Dog friendly: Yes
After spending a chilly night at Cannich Campsite, I set off this morning into Strathconon to ascend Bac An Eich. Excellent campsite, even has free wireless. Report submitted from my tent.
I arrived at Inverchoran around 8.30. There is room for several cars on the grass verge beside the bridge over the River Meig.
Friendly sign at Inverchoran:
Bridge at Inverchoran:
Another couple of friendly signs direct you around the property at Inverchoran. A good landrover track is then followed for the first kilometre, alongside the forest.
Gleann Chorainn:
After passing the forest, you need to cross the stream which I managed without difficulty. Alternatively, you can follow a path through the edge of the forest starting near Inverchoran.
Ascending lower slopes of Bac an Eich:
The ascent is good underfoot – mainly grass with some short heather.
Approaching stream from outflow of Loch Toll Lochain:
On reaching 500m you get your first view of Loch Toll Lochain and the rocky cliffs of Bac An Eich.
720m top (left) and 849m summit (right):
Loch Toll Lochain:
The SMC guide describes Bach an Eic as a “bold hill”. What I think this means it is craggy with some steep ascent and descent. The final 150m of ascent to the 720m top is steep.
Steep ascent to 720m top:
After reaching the 720m top, the ridge to the summit is quite gentle and straight-forward.
Bac an Eich summit from 720m top:
720m top from approaching summit:
On a good clear day, I bet the views would be quite special. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a good clear day, however, at least it wasn’t raining as had been forecast.
Summit shelter and trig point:
View towards Sgurr a Mhuilinn and Meallan na Uan:
I opted for the circular walk option described in the SMC guide descending “very steeply” due North to reach the “head of the burn”. There is a good grassy line that can be followed in descent. Either side of this line is quite rocky.
Steep descent (kicked steps):
Loch Toll Lochain from steep descent:
On reaching Loch Toll Lochain you can really appreciate how craggy this hill is. I certainly wouldn’t like to attempt a direct ascent to or descent from the summit.
Cliffs below summit:
At Loch Toll Lochain:
After passing Loch Toll Lochain, I descended into Gleann Chorainn and back out to Inverchoran.