A solitary boggy walk

[clivew]

The description of this particular walk on the web site is very accurate, firstly it correctly states that there is a fair amount of boggy ground to cross and secondly it says the walk attracts little attention from Glen Dochart being so well set back from the road; how true this description is particularly after some heavy overnight rain. From the moment I left the farm track at Auchessan the path was boggy and it stayed that way all the way to the dam on the Allt Riobain and beyond, I chose to stay on the ridge from Sgiath Chuil to Meall a' Churain before heading down to the bealach, luckily just as I started the descent the clouds briefly cleared giving me a great view of Loch Lyon to the North. The section of the path between Meall a' Churain and Beinn Cheathaich is very steep in places and when you cross the bealach again it is very boggy. The last part of the walk from the summit of Meall Glas back to the starting point at Auchessan was across an energy sapping bog almost the entire way, I cramped up part way across after jumping a number of boggy bits and streams, it's funny how I almost always get cramp if I jump ditches etc.
This was an unusual walk for two reasons, firstly apart from sections of the ridge adjacent to both Munros it was almost entirely path less and secondly, for the first time ever, I never set eyes on another person from the time I left Auchessan until I returned to the car almost 6 hours later. Its on solitary walks like this you realise why you carry a compass, torch, whistle etc. even in summer time and why I leave a copy of the route with with my better half before I set off (not that she would know what to do with it). In spite of the boggy ground it was a very satisfying and enjoyable day on the hills and there is certainly something nice about the occasional solitary walk.

[rockhopper]

Some go from the south, some from the north but, as you say, most say it's boggy. Walked these hills myself last November and also found it boggy for the first part by the Allt up to Sgiath Chuil - having read the reports beforehand, I think I was expecting it to be very bad but it didn't turn out to be as bad as I thought it would be so was pleasantly suprised that aside, you do get great views back to Ben More and through to Ben Challum and Ben Lui.

[Rekrab]

had a great day on these hills!!! when I did them.

also didn't see anyone and bog was def about but didn't bug be.

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MacKenzie