I'd been looking for a hill that I could do from Glasgow on a weekday and hopefully get home before 9am and work started. Clearly pre-COVID there would be no danger of making it into Glasgow City Centre for 9am showered etc but I thought home in a sweaty mess might just about be achievable if I got up at around 4am.
I'd been utterly spoiled weather wise with a brilliant day on Ben Nevis a few days before so I was keen to see if it was like this every time (I found out a few days later on Beinn Bhuidhe that this is certainly not the case!). So the challenge was set. I left the power station car park at around 5:40am ish and made good progress along the hydro track getting to the stoney path still in the mist. No route finding mishaps this time.
I found the path pretty steep and it was quite humid so a pretty sweaty affair. I was definitely the only person on the hill at 6am that day. The mist was only broken by shadowy sheep emerging and running off frantically in random directions. I thought that I must be at least 2/3rds of the way up by this point judging from distance traveled. I noticed that the sky was brightening - little did I know what I was in for!
I've never been in a cloud inversion before and didn't think this was a likely experience in the west of Scotland. I can only describe it as being similar to emerging from underwater the contrast was really that stark.
The going became a lot easier and I was totally absorbed by the views - fantastic in every direction. The only disappointment was that I wasn't really sure what the other hills I was looking at were. I spent a good forty minutes or so with the watch paused just enjoying the summit before realising that my clocking in time was fast approaching.
Taking one or two last looks I then descended back under the cloud layer with an immense sense of satisfaction . The descent was pretty hassle free but a little slippy in the wet and every slug in the west had decided to slither (does a slug slither?) onto the path. No matter it felt as if I was running on air all of the way back down the hydro track. I did pass a couple of others on the way but didn't give away what I'd just seen - it was probably gone by the time they were at the top.
I got back to the car and afforded myself the luxury (or misfortune depending on your view) of McDonalds pancakes and coffee and eventually pulled back into the drive at about 9:20. Not bad going before breakfast!
A great hill with lots of character that I'd like to visit again highly recommended. A bike could be useful for the track to the start of the path up the hill. My guess is that it is about 3-4km each way.
Warning
Please note that hillwalking when there is snow lying requires an ice-axe, crampons and the knowledge, experience and skill to use them correctly. Summer routes may not be viable or appropriate in winter. See winter information on our skills and safety pages for more information.