For the third report in succession I am writing an account of yet another new hill, or to be more accurate, two new hills; and what a fantastic day it was on Stob an Eas and Beinn an t-Sealich with views which were just outstanding. Overlooked by the Corbetts of Binnein an Fhidhleir and Beinn an Lochain Stob an Eas is officially listed as a Graham, or it can also be classed as a Fiona, but that is an entirely different, but interesting argument in SMC circles.

The first surprise of the day was to find that the forest which marks the start of this walk and would take us the initial two kilometres onto the hillside has been completely felled leaving a fine forest track and panoramic views right from the start of the walk. One zig followed by one zag and it was an easy ascent over these first few kilometres before entering all that remains of the forest for the final few hundred kilometres to the open hillside, this being through a very lush greenery of trees and mosses, a little wet underfoot, but easy going, and today, with the sun shining through the trees, really quite beautiful.

Immediately on leaving the forest the task ahead is clearly visible, the steep ascent to the summit of Stob an Eas. A climb of only 330 metres, however it is a 1 in 3 gradient, initially over rough trackless grassy mounds before tackling a series of crags via grassy rakes, it would be a hard climb. We discussed our options, left or right of the main stream, round or over the crags, take each step as it comes, and off we go.

As is often the case, the best options opened up as we completed each stage. Over the grassy humps, straight ahead was a definite no go, and so we swung to our right, under the first set of crags, hugging their base as we curved upwards onto another open grassy area beyond which lay the second and main crags. Again the natural line was to follow the base around until we were below a narrow and steep grassy rake beyond which would be the final stage to the summit. As grassy rakes go it was not too difficult, but nevertheless steep enough for me to find myself involuntarily genuflecting in homage to the hillside and getting a thoroughly wet knee in the process. However, in rising from my homage I found myself on the final and slightly easier grassy section above the rake and heading directly to the Trig Point marking the 732m summit, where Ian and Mike had already discarded their rucksacks in preparation for a well-earned break.

A smaller hill this may be, but the route to the summit was full of surprises, the views right from the start were spectacular, sunlight in the forested section magical and the crags enroute to the summit full of character and a little challenging. All that is asked for in a day on the hills. And more was yet to come as we settled down around the Trig Point for a leisurely and prolonged lunch break we gazed west to views over Loch Fyne to Inveraray, south to Loch Goil and beyond to the Firth of Clyde, east to the Munros and Corbetts of the Arrochar Alps and north over Glen Kinglas to almost touch the Fhidhlier Ridge.

The north east ridge of Stob an Eas runs for a kilometre in a series of knolls, pathless for most of it’s length it is simply a matter of picking your own route, either over or around each knoll until reaching a point were you can make a short descent beyond the crags and head generally east over the 600m bealach to the base of Beinn an t-Sealich to make a short climb on easier slopes to the broad summit top at 719m, which again offers some wonderful views, especially when looking back towards Stob an Eas and the crags along it’s north east ridge.

Another summit, and another rest, and this time it was a long one. We just lay back in the breeze and warmth of the sun and let the time go by; it was with some effort almost an hour later that we hauled ourselves back up onto our feet and decided on our return route. Two options, head south keeping to the ridgeline of the south ridge of Beinn an t-Sealich, or simply take a direct bearing to a point where we could cross the Allt Beinn an t-Sealich well above the gully and waterfall. A direct bearing won the day, and 227 degrees it was for the next kilometre and a half as we descended diagonally down the grassy but relatively easy hillside towards the crossing point, which was conveniently easy with a couple of large boulders providing ideal stepping stones over which to make the crossing. Once across the river it was simply a matter of passing above one last small craggy outcrop before descending back to the point at which we re-entered the forest to pick up our out-bound route for an easy stroll back to the starting point.

Two new hills for the three of us, and they did not disappoint; views, character and a little challenging at points. A wonderful day in the hills. Thanks Ian and Mike, great day.