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After spending Saturday cycling a leisurely 66 mile in good company with the Glasgow Cycling Group I thought I'd continue this Easter theme of outdoor activities, and socilaization, by joining the Glasgow Hillwalking Group for a walk up Stob Ghabhar & Stob a'Choire Odhair. I last did these 2 Munros on a solo adventure back in 2010, how time flies, so I was looking forward to revisiting them. Was very interesting comparing my experiences afterwards...I was sooo young back in them days
Leading todays walk was Ian Russell, one of the organisers from the walking club, Given that the group was a mixture of novice and expeienced walkers he did a fantastic assured job of keeping the group together whilst providing key safety tips and encouragement. Top bloke who made all feel welcome and safe on the hills.
The walk was to commence at 10am, which it did, but I somehow found myself in Victoria Car park at 9am! However the sun was shining and soon everyone appeared. Rosalind, who I think maybe related to Willy Wonky - she'd a endless supply of chocolate, gave us all a creme egg...a lovely gesture
So 16 of us sauntered West along the landrover track, the Abhainn Shira to our left.
Starav and friends in the distance.
Looking back East to Dorain, Dothaid and Achaladair
After 1.5k you come to the Cashgour Hut, take a right and follow the river for another 1.5km. Just after a gulley strike up the South shoulder of Stob a'Choire Odhair for 2k which leads you to the summit.
Stob Ghabhar in the distance.
The view East looking magnificent!
It was fairly evident that today was going to be a scorcher, already people were applying industrial strength sun block and tearing off their clothes...many of us were gorging on ice balls
We stopped at the summit for some food and took in the views. I changed my top as was extremely wet. I actually changed my top many times as I was carrying full on winter kit, may as well get good use of it I thought.
Fueled and hydrated we descended 1.5k West to the foot of the Couloir Buttress...
Looking ahead I couldn't keep the smile off my face, winter was still hanging in there...
Having others around comes in handy at times
Before starting the steep ascent to the Aonach Eagach ridge Ian advised everyone to put their crampons on, he also supported those that were tentative in lacing up. I didn't put mines on as thought I'd manage up using the patches of snowless rocks and grass. Halfway up I decided to put them on as there was more snow than rock.
The terrain up this slope was mixed, with some loose boulders and scree, this made it more difficult in my opnion. Everyone managed up at thier own pace, safely - well done all!
On reaching the ridge was probably the highlight of the day for me as the view looking over to Stob Ghabhar was amazing!
Time again to utilize those friendly human folk
Onward we marched along the ridge...
It most certainly is a dogs life! I must improve my stick throwing skills, think the dogs were getting fed up
Five years ago this little section of ridge put the frighteners on me but today it was very different, was very straight forward. I think back then I was out solo and not that experienced, also there was much more snow which was fresh and no footprints to follow. Across we all went...
Some Spanish trekkers on the final acent to Stob Ghabhar - had a nice chat with one of them too
Our group of intrepid adventurers on the final push to the summit - Ian leading the way.
Young Tommy conquering his very first munros - what a day to lose your virginity
Julia - still smiling and full of life, she'd only just returned from a weekend in the Lakes late Saturday evening
Michael - keeping it real
Yippee - we all reached the summitt
(photos 1 & 3 by Ian - Cheers)
We sat on the summit and had more food, I gorged on black grapes...and a wee block of chocolate from Rosalind.
All through the walk many conversations were struck up between all walkers. It was great hearing some inspirational stories of walking and cycling treks at home & abroad, definately food for thought. Mostly though there was good banter and a good laugh was had.
So it was time to leave the summit and descend of the mountain. Looking back to Vikki & Julia, nice girls. I hope you got your chips when home
Tremendous views on the walk out.
It didn't seem that long before reaching the landrover track, a nice stroll back to the car park was left.
After a quick change most of us went into the nearby pub at the Inveroran Hotel, a lovely establishment were crisps are ordered by colour of the packet and not flavour! Again some good chat and everyone happy, always a great feeling after a day on the hills...especially when scorchio! My face resembles the colour of a tomato, not a good look...may be time to pull out the balaclava!!
Great walk with a really good bunch of people. Just can't beat days like this on the hills. Thanks to Ian for organising, and another big thanks to Ian for finding a fellow walkers camera which he'd dropped before walking on a mile then realizing...a happy relieved man indeed!
I hope you all had a happy easter too - I had a sizzling time
