All Quiet Before Storm Eowyn

The summit of Meall a' Bhuachaille

The first named storm of 2025, Storm Eowyn (love the Tolkien reference!), is due to arrive late tomorrow with very strong winds, rain and snow. Of course we had a big storm early in January that brought masses of snow and bitter cold but apparently that wasn't stormy enough to have a name. 

Before Eowyn arrives I decided it was time for my first hill of the year, an old favourite, Meall a'Bhuachaille. A bit later than usual this year for a variety of boring but pressing reasons. The day was calm and cloudy as I set off through the forest to the Ryvoan Pass and Lochan Uaine. Occasional shafts of sunshine pierced the greyness and lit up strips of trees or hillside but mostly the light flattening shroud stayed in place. 

View from Ryvoan Bothy

Lochan Uaine was rich and green, living up to its name, the only ripples on the water coming from swimmers, canine and human. Smoke was pouring from the chimney at Ryvoan Bothy. There was almost a clearance to the east with sunlight on the side of Carn Bheadhair, the clouds almost lifting from the top, and patches of hazy blue sky. It didn't last and when I looked back from the lower path on Meall a' Bhuachaille the brightness had gone and the cloud was locked firmly on the summit.

Into the mist

Big black bags lined the long path up Meall a' Bhuachaille, bags full of rocks and gravel. The path, steep in places and well-used, is being repaired. As the trees thinned out I reached the mist and was soon enveloped. Soon damp too as it was quite wet.

The dark summit cairn appeared. I stopped for a drink and a snack. No need to shelter. There was no wind.  Chilly enough to don hat and jacket though, the temperature just 1C. There were skims of ice and tiny tendrils of frost on the stones. 

A brief view from the summit

Then a golden glow appeared out to the west as the setting sun cut briefly below the clouds. A shoulder of mountain appeared then vanished. it was a welcome touch of colour before I was off down to the woods, finishing the walk by headlamp. 

With this first hill the year feels like it has really begun. Now to see what Storm Eowyn brings.