My reason for going was to celebrate back to school! After a very quiet SOTA summer holidays - although did manage a nice Goat Fell with my eldest, and a quick Ben Aigan when Peter, GM5AIB, was up - it was time to get back to it and what better way than Fraser’s favourite pair, Ben Avon (GM/ES-006) and Beinn a’Bhuird (GM/ES-004). I assume they’re his favourite as he goes every year. Last time I went, it was cloudy, windy, freezing cold, and I didn’t manage to do the loop around the South top, so I was hoping for a different experience this time.
Mountain forecast had promised beautiful sunshine all day, but other forecasters weren’t so enthusiastic, and as I drove through rain on the way there, I wasn’t either. I guess summer is over after all.
After a grey, damp cycle up the Slugain, I was greeted with lovely blue skies and sunshine, and then even a rainbow when looking across to the south top. The cloud was lingering on Ben Avon but I was hopeful it would shift…well it didn’t.
Last time I hunkered down behind some rocks, holding onto the mast hoping the slim g wouldn’t blow off. Whilst I was in the cloud this time, at least there was minimal wind, and so I decided to climb up on to the tor with my HT and see who was around on 2m.
Pleased with the run of QSOs on 2m, and dripping wet, as the cloud condensed on me, I thought I’d skip HF and continue on. I hadn’t woken up as early as I’d hoped and so it was good to make up some time. Fraser was telling me it was sunny with him and looking across to Beinn a’Bhuird, so I was hopeful of some nice weather to setup HF on my next summit.
I kept seeing Fraser’s spots come in, and whilst he hadn’t plan to hang around for my second summit, I managed to get to the AZ whilst he was packing up. Simon, GM4JXP, was quick off the mark again on 2m, then I continued up to near the cairn. Still in the cloud it took a while to spot, and I setup nearby.
Not many remarkable landscape features up here.
HF was similar to Fraser’s report, okay on 40m and a pile up on 20m. I tried 2m again with the slim G. Jack, GM4COX, was looking for another new summit chase, and we had another QSO on this summit.
Occasionally, the cloud would lift more and I was hopeful but it didn’t shift. It wasn’t until I was heading towards the South Top, by the Bloodhound buttress, adjacent to the Polypody Groove, and overlooking the Dubh Lochan, did the sun start to reappear.
From there it was a pleasant walk down the slopes, over the Quoich Water, and back to my bike. I don’t remember what it was like last time, but the track seems very rocky, perhaps recently repaired and cycling down it wasn’t enjoyable. It’s not until you’re quite far down, does it become a little smoother to cycle on again.
Since my last visit, I have done a little research and had a good idea of where to find The Secret Howff. I dumped my bike and bag and set off where I thought I might find it - and success!
The other sign says “Keep it a secret!” 
The cycle continues until I’m back at Keiloch - mostly downhill but a few ups on the way. After being the only car in the car park when I arrived, there was a lot of activity with hikers, mountain bikers, people being ferried about in Land Rovers, horses and construction workers. Back home 10 hours after I left.
I’ve seen the Ben Avon tors in the sun numerous times from surrounding summits, but I’ll have to try again next year to actually be on them in the sun.