Walkhighlands

Hello again to you all, I joined the site about a year ago, as I was interested and flirted with the idea of doing the 3 peaks challenge. So came across this site, and a great site it is too. I had done snowdon, during my army years, but thats really about it for hill climbing. Why the 3 peaks challenge entered my life, I dont know. I work out of Inverness and every day I see Ben Wyvis, on the drive to and from work. I kept threatening to get up the thing. However, after an injury during the Baxters 10K, that was all shelved.

Then this year after a few false starts, training and fitness wise, I have finally got my head in the right place, with weight dropping and fitness getting better by the week, I decided that the time was right, and last thursday I climbed my first MUNRO : Ben Wyvis.

At first I was a bit apprehensive about the whole thing, not done this before, and being on my own ( apart from the dog ), and trying to remember what very little map reading skills I can remember from my army days, but that was over 20 years ago that I last looked at a map and compass in anger.

I know that Ben Wyvis isnt the hardest of Munros, especially if you go up the footpath, but its a start, and the most important thing I think is that I ( and the dog ), had a really great day. As far as I know the dog did.

Here`s the thing. The mist came in pretty thick and at the trig, spent 5 mins giving the dog water, a quick bite to eat, sorted myself out and satrted to head back. For some reason, god knows how or why, I sarted to follow iron posts that I saw on the way up. When I came out of the mist, or low cloud, which ever it was, it turned out, that I came out on the other side of Ben Wyvis, I knew then that I was wrong, as I live in Invergordon, and saw damned cromorty firth and oil rigs.

I tried to get back to where I was, by following those damned iron poles, and got lost again. I gave up, and turned back, and headed down Ben Wyvis, to what I believed to be Strathpeffer, through forest,onto what I think was a forestry commision track. Down onto a the railway track, through someones back garden, and into Strathpeffer. Once in Strathpeffe, got the other half to come and collect me, and drop me off at the carpark so as I can drive home.

I can hear all you lot laughing, dont blame you.

God knows how far I trekked that day, apart from getting lost, I was chuffed att the sense of achievement of completing my first Munro.

My issue now is to gain experience in map reading and compass skills, I cant do with getting lost again, especially in places I dont know. Is there the possiblility of going out with one of you fine gents at one point, and maybe gain the basics of map reading ? I know that sounds a wee bit cheeky, if you dont ask you dont get.

Congrats on breaking your duck Zebidee Think your sense of direction needs some working on though. Just a mercy that it was Wyvis you were on as it could have had a very nasty outcome on nearly any other munro. Anyway I`m just down the road from you in Evanton and am out on the hills most weeks so if you want company anytime just PM me.

Well done on you first of many I am sure. A bit of concentration is required on the Munro's, but don't worry too much about it. Myself and three pals have all got over half of them completed in the last 3 to 4 years, one has done them all. We are very good navigators even if I do say it myself, but get distracted in company and have descended wrong ridges, ascended the wrong mountains, missed out the last Mamore when attempting them in one go (and thinking we had done them all) and when we did Ben Vorlich (Lomond) only went as far as the trig point, only a few days later to realise the highest point was another cairn a couple of hundred metres further on.
Dave.

Hi Zebidee, I was in stitches reading that, but in all honesty it could have turned out much worse. Get yourself out with some of the guys on the site and get so directional training

Thanks for all the replies. Bulderdash, I pm`d you.

I know things could have turned out a whole lot worse. I think I just need a bit of confidence, and getting out there more, and often.

get stuck in the navigation will cum fluding back the more you use it only 282 to go

Well done that man. You're one of a few who have even done a Munro so enjoy that and look forward to the next one - hook up with people from the site who have some experience and they can maybe show you the ropes.

A helpful tip is to leave a marker, walking pole, rucksack something that you can notice. Place this as you summit up the path on route to the cairn or trig. Assuming you intend returning the same way...your at least starting in the right direction.

Any one can get lost, especially in mist and on a big featureless plateau like Ben Wyvis. At least you did the sensible thing and got down safely. I've heard that Ben Wyvis has a number of crashed aircraft on it; maybe a magnetic anomaly disrupted their compasses, and yours.

Pat on the back zebidee1, and you had an adventure too, even better!