Brack on the hills again !

[tomyboy73]

It`s been a while since i`d been out on the hills, a whole month in fact, now this would be acceptable if we were talking december, but may ? the month i was going to do so much in ? as it was, as we all know, **** from the heavens and blowing a gale when it wasn`t. So i couldn`t wait to get out, and if that meant a sunny night at the end of the week, then so be it! Myself and Jim headed straight from work to Arrochar and The Brack to enjoy some fresh air and punish those well rested calves. The path is easy to find as it is signposted from the track you walk on from the visitor centre.

The Brack

Jim on path

I was surprised at the start of the path as you go right up through the woods rather than starting on an open hill and had the signpost not been there i wouldn`t have believed that that was it. Although it was about 7 o`clock the sun was scorching as we got onto the hillside and across the burn flowing down the mountain. It`s a steep hill and the legs were burning in pain very quickly and the treking pole was out. The sun eventually went behind the hill and we made our way up to the bivvy boulder (?). This is a clump of huge rocks with plenty of nooks and crannies to explore and probably shelter in(hence the name). Jim climbed on top of one for a pic, slipped and cut his hand but was probably more annoyed when i told him it was a **** picture i took of him.

bivvy boulder

Now wouldn`t it be handy if i pulled out the first aid kit i bought especially for times like this ? Yes, only if i hadn`t left it at home. Anyway we kept on going with the plan of reaching the summit by 9.pm. We got over the ridge to see views west and back towards the luss hills and there`s a tempting little lochan here.

lochan

Me on the brack, by Jim

From here there`s one last steep climb up and it`s actually quite surprising when you pop your head over the top of the path to find the summit right in front of you, instead of the usual false summit experience you get on most hills
The cloud for the weekend was now coming towards us and already covering the tops of Ime, Narnain and The Cobbler.

luss hills

Jim and Cobbler

Summit with Ben Lomond

[jonny616]

Great wee hill. Took my kids up there a couple of years ago & had to carry my youngest up that steep part at the begining.

Lovely pics

Regards

jonny

[Juliejjot]

Hi Tommy, thanks for a great review of the Brack. We (Jude and me) are going to walk it tomorrow. Like you it's been a while since we've ventured out on the hills - our last walk was 5 wks ago up the Cobbler in the p*****g (pouring) rain. Really looking forward to walking tomorrow - not looking forward to the pain!!!!