An Evening Adventure - Return to the Trossachs!!

[dooterbang]

A fantastic joint NHS & UWS venture up Ben A'an on Thursday morning, promoting a physical activity and healthier lifestyle, inevitably led me back up on Saturday night to take advantage of a small weather window and introduce Julie to the wonderful wee pointy hill. From today the usual car park and route is no more and an alternative is now in place.

http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/forest- ... -programme

http://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=46502

Our initial Saturday night plan was eating out and a visit to the GFT but the lure of a possible Sunset meant we quickly packed our gear and headed for the Trossachs around 3pm. Stopped at the top of Dukes Pass by Aberfoyle around 4pm and had a wee bite to eat whilst admiring the lovely rainbow sprouting from Loch Drunkie.


Got to the car park around 16.30pm and set off through the woodland 16.45pm.


The pointy summit of Ben A'an was soon in sight...






After 45 minutes we reached the summit. Dark clouds loomed in the West but good views were still had










At the summit we spent some time taking in the views, whilst a stiff wind ensured the temperature plummeted! We dropped down slightly and sat for 30 minutes, eating (again) and taking in the views. The sun shone brightly when breaking from the clouds but mostly it was covered. As darkness fell we started to feel the cold so a little impromptu "meta fit/circuit" type exercise increased our body temperature and put a big grin on our faces. . .thankfully it was only us on the summit








With warmth back in our bodies our attention turned to the lowering sun which was hovering over the Arrochar Alps, Ben Arthur clearly visible with its iconic shapes.








Around 6.30pm we decided to head back down. With light fading fast much care was required to negotiate the wet tree roots and rocky path. It was good fun though using the headtorch again.






It was complete darkness back at the car park, and it was very cold! Decided to drive back via Callander and the M80, having came in from the A81, as felt was an easier drive in the dark. Back to Glasgow around 21.00pm and suitably happy with our wee adventure....we also managed to catch the film the next day when peeing down with rain

[Silverhill]

Wow, that sky is ablaze!

[kev_russ]

Braw pics doots Its a cracking wee hill eh. Been up maself twice. 1st time was in the evening like yourself a few years ago.

DSC00659 by kev_russ, on Flickr

[rockhopper]

....a little impromptu "meta fit/circuit" type exercise increased our body temperature and put a big grin on our faces...

the mind boggles

Nice sunset, dooters - well worth the second visit - cheers

[Collaciotach]

Big Sky

[dooterbang]

Braw pics doots Its a cracking wee hill eh. Been up maself twice. 1st time was in the evening like yourself a few years ago.

DSC00659 by kev_russ, on Flickr

WOW!!! That is some photo! I'll go up again when the cloud clears, and maybe when snow lands.

....a little impromptu "meta fit/circuit" type exercise increased our body temperature and put a big grin on our faces...

the mind boggles
)

All above board RH