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No Dutch courage on the Cobbler

No Dutch courage on the Cobbler


Postby kevsbald » Sun Apr 12, 2009 7:08 pm

Route description: The Cobbler, Arrochar

Corbetts included on this walk: The Cobbler

Date walked: 12/04/2009

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The itch had to be scratched once again and this time I had company for the trip, a Dutch guy called Mike who was over for 6 months to complete his Ph.D. Mike was keen to get some walking done and I thought I would introduce him to Ben Arthur, an unforgettable character. However, as we left the car park at Succoth, the clag was in and I couldn't even show him where we were heading. We took to the excellent path and it was a quick climb past the Narnain boulders - I regaled him with stories of folk sleeping under these giant rocks. I think he thought I was pulling his leg but I kept telling him he'd see some cracking sights today, what with the dramatic view of the Cobbler and perhaps the 'threading of the eye of the needle'.
IMG_2783.JPG
The Cobbler aka Ben Arthur
This too was lost on Mike but I said actions would speak louder than words. We reached the bealach between our objective, Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime. The cloud was beginging to lift and we sensed some fine views were imminent.
I couldn't believe how good the path was up to the top of the Cobbler and before long, I told Mike we had reached our airy summit. Mike told me how much he loved his girlfriend and that he was happy just to take photos of me trying to attain the exposed summit. Threading the 'eye of the needle' wasn't the hard part - once through the other side, a potential drop on to some boulders of about 25 ft added some spasms to the sphincter. I gripped my way along the broadish ledge (maybe 2 ft wide) but it was a little damp and I took extra care along to the incline. Having done a fair amount of indoor climbing, it doesn't really prepare you for the feeling of cold damp rock. Philosophical questions filled my mind. Where were those jugs, who had the belay, did Mike love his girlfriend more than I did mine? I ungracefully pulled my weight up on to the summit and posed for the 'money shot'.
IMG_2766.JPG
Steady.....
Once I had clambered back down, I was relieved to see Mike had been taking plenty of photos and I was relieved to be off the piece of rock, although it was rather exhilarating.
IMG_2773.JPG
Scrambling doon the summit
A spot of lunch at the top, as the clouds parted and we enjoyed a chat about the Scots, the Dutch and a world going to pot. At least you can rely on the hills to restore faith and on the way down we must have said hello to maybe 50 or 60 people who were heading up. It was a good wee trip and one which I think Mike enjoyed although he did his best to remind me of the 3-0 victory in the football on the way back down. However, he was nae bad for a Dutch loon...
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kevsbald
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Re: No Dutch courage on the Cobbler

Postby canisp » Mon Apr 13, 2009 9:29 am

Fantastic, the last photo’s a cracker :D it sent a shiver down my spine looking at you on the ledge and realising i’d been on it, but for me the most challenging part was the final step up onto the summit, a bit out of my comfort zone.
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Re: No Dutch courage on the Cobbler

Postby cjwaugh » Mon Apr 13, 2009 1:06 pm

Well done kevsbald love this hill done it twice now and will go back again :)
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Re: No Dutch courage on the Cobbler

Postby yokehead » Wed Apr 15, 2009 7:03 pm

A fine report, the words and pictures capture the essence of the challenge. 8) It is high on my to do list!
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Re: No Dutch courage on the Cobbler

Postby Dirk Winter » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:21 pm

Entertaining report and some really great photos of your summit experience. It doesn't look that frightening on my photos (which I will post soon).
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Re: No Dutch courage on the Cobbler

Postby Paul Webster » Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:36 pm

I found it quite frightening. Not so much the ledge bit in the photo, but the climb up to the top from the far end - which I thought was a bit awkward.
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Re: No Dutch courage on the Cobbler

Postby Dirk Winter » Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:58 pm

When I was trying to climb up I also found it very frightening. It's only my pictures which don't frighten me at all. :lol:
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