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It was an early rise in order to make sure we could get up and parked - given the fine forecast I was sure there would be plenty heading for the hills! We parked up and it was already a cracking morning - the fog that we were greeted with when we left had disappeared north of Stirling....time to get the suncream out and apply liberally!
The walk from the layby was quite enjoyable...sometimes it's nice to start with a wee gentle walk. We soon reached the gate that gives access to the hills and made our way through the trees and cleared area following the signs. Crossing over the bridge we picked up the track and after skirting round the trees you pop out onto the hill and the climbing begins. It's a good well defined path all of the way and offers magnificent views back down the glen as well as across to all of the killin munros and with it being such a beautiful day we stopped regularly to take in the views.…....and also to catch our breath as the temperature was steadily rising and making the going hard! Plodding on it wasn't long before we hit the first top of the day in Carn Gorm. Knowing the hardest part of the day was behind us, we sat at the top and had some snacks enjoying the spectacular views locally as well as further afield - you could clearly pick out the Lomond hills in the distance as well as enjoying the surrounding hills and also views over to Loch Rannoch and Rannoch Moor.
Looking over the next target of the day was visible and we set off from the top enjoying the drop down. We decided to bypass An Sgorr and then started the bouldery ascent up Meall Garbh - it's only a short hop to get there.. Given the baking sun, we didn't hang around too long and made our way down through the boulders using the old fence line as a handrail and following it up a short climb before hanging a right onto Meall A Bharr - passing through a big cloud of beasties that had us swirling our hands about like helicopter rotors!!! Thankfully passed as quickly as they'd arrived. The route then takes you onto a bit of a plateau and some easy walking offering up some fine views across to Schiehallion and to Carn Marig which was target number 3 for the day. As you approach it you pass the boulder field to your left hand side, and I commented to my son that it was hard to imagine the forces of nature that had deposited them here all of those years ago! You bypass them and fairly soon you find yourself on the top. The highest point isn't on the main "lump" but behind you with the cairn atop the rocky outcrop.
It was time for a well earned bit of lunch and we took a bit of time to grab some rest and enjoy the views and refuel. We had a quick look around and spotted the route off the top which is pretty steep but well cut into the hill. A group of lads set off just behind us and they came straight off the top and tried to find their way through the boulders, but after making slow progress they bagged it and traversed over to pick up the path we'd just taken. On our way down we all of a sudden we heard some squeals of laughter and turned round to catch a couple of trail runners who were clearly enjoying their day........I wish I had their energy was my first thought.....closely followed but how great it was to see them having so much fun!
Agin the path to Meall nan Aighean and the last one of the day was impossible to miss and we trudged wearily up it. Even although we'd just had lunch I was feeling pretty drained and the hot weather had obviously taken its toll or maybe I hadn't taken enough fluids on board. We briefly stopped and took a couple of pics for the group of guys who had followed us up and we then set off for home.
Rather than follow the path over and round the adjacent top, we (I) took a more direct route to pick up the path further down. Having a quick look at the map the path was right down the nose of the hill, but for some reason I completely lost my bearings for a minute or 2, thinking we had to be further to the south and we set off. Not sure if it was just tiredness, but after a few strides, I took a minute to gather my thoughts, look at the map and about turned! I was annoyed at myself
given it was beautiful conditions and 23 degrees, but it wasn't an issue....and even this early in our bagging journey, reinforced the fact that you need to keep your wits about you at all times.
About half way down I said to my son I was absolutely knackered - he was feeling fine he said nonchalantly. You literally just follow the path down the hill until you hit the fenceline/gate and then walk over the field and pick up the hydro track for a short distance before passing though the gate and back into the cleared area/trees.and then past Lint Mill and back out onto the road at Invervar. The road back to the car felt longer than it did in the morning, but at least some of it was in the shade and pretty soon we were back at the layby and able to get the boots off - I longingly eyed the river after a long hot day and took a mental note to stick a towel in the car in the future!!!!
I jumped in the car glad it was only a couple of hours down the road - and with the thoughts of a nice shower, a bbq and a beer that lay ahead I cheered up. And the boy who was fine.........sleeping before we got out of Aberfeldy!!
