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Failure on first solo on Meall Garbh

Failure on first solo on Meall Garbh


Postby Dunswood » Sat Oct 03, 2020 3:52 pm

Route description: Meall Greigh, Meall Garbh and An Stùc

Munros included on this walk: Meall Greigh

Date walked: 02/10/2020

Time taken: 6 hours

Distance: 15 km

Ascent: 1000m

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Forecast was good, my wife had other plans, so why not try the "other 3" on the Lawers Range. Having started hillwalking last July, we had conquered 7 munroes and a few lower hills in a couple of months. My first solo hike. Hamish the farmer whose farm I parked in, pointed out the first target - Meall Greigh... flippin heck that ascent looks steep... no word of that on Walkhighlands!
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The grassy ascent was steep in places and pretty relentless for this 62yo, I used my inhaler more on that incline than on all the previous 7 munroes.
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Made it, three flipping hours! But onwards, heading across the plateau to Meall Garbh was a nice stroll, but my leg muscles were beginning to complain... a lot! A couple of chats with firstly 2 couples - one of which was doing their first munro accompanied by a far more experienced couple (I hope they enjoyed the experience) Later at the bottom of Meall Garbh, another chat with a young guy, gave me encouragement to get on with it.
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Heading up the next incline it very quickly became obvious that I'd struggle to get up this one, never mind getting down again! My legs won the argument, and I slowly returned down from the hill. :roll: Looking longingly at Meall Garbh and An Stuc, I was thinking they'll have to wait until next year. Just one last look at the incline that gave me so much trouble...
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Dunswood
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Re: Failure on first solo on Meall Garbh

Postby dogplodder » Sun Oct 04, 2020 11:47 am

The benefit of this is you can now return for Meall Garbh with the experience you've already gained. For various reasons I've revisited hills normally done in a single day and reckon I've gained so much more from doing it that way. 8)
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Re: Failure on first solo on Meall Garbh

Postby Dunblane Bagger » Mon Oct 05, 2020 12:51 pm

Hey, It is great that you are getting out into the mountains, so please do not see this as a failure, more a success that you reach the summit of 1 as each mountain we climb throws up their own challenges. :clap:

The mountains will still be there for next time, and you will enjoy the ones you didn't reach this time all the more for exactly that reason..

Happy hillwalking.. 8)
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Location: Hopefully up a mountain somewhere

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