Being Back from India and Creag Mhor

[andrewdoggett]

So; after two months in India; surviving motorbike trips with no helmet through the city at rush hour; eating curry after curry; working too many hours; and missing Scotland; I'm back

On Landing at Heathrow my good lady was all armed (after a kiss or two) with the July issue of Trail for me to see the report on Liathach; all good...

And after a weekend in the south my reward for my two months away is a week off; so time to get reacquainted with those things called munros...

I'd decided to take on Ben Vane and Ben Vorlich; as they are unsightly red spots on my little munro map; but I didn't get that far; the weather was gorgeous so I turned right at the Killin turn and headed for Creag Mhor and Beinn Heasgarnich.

Moo; and Ben Challum

And what a tonic; sat by the river without a care in the world as sun streamed down the valley and flooded Ben Challum with a gorgeous morning light. The sound of the water was peaceful; and the landscape so green. I've missed the lush green of Scotland!!

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a7UL37ZahM[/youtube]

A new camera found its way into my luggage courtesy of the duty free shop; a pleasant two fingers to the tax man... So for the bargain price of £80 I have a Nikon S3100 if that means anything to you... To me, it means I don't need to lug the Canon equipment around when I'm just off for a quiet walk in the hills... When I'm doing photography it means sunrise or sunset; I never shoot in the day; fires on Liathach aside; so a welcome addition to the family...

So to the first ascent; after the 5 km or so along the river, a fairly steep affair up to the ridge of Creag Mhor; hmmm feeling the excess weight from the curries I think... All in all it hurt a little; but not too much...

The hard work begins; the ascent from the river to the ridge of Creag Mhor

And soon I was atop munro number 105...

I also have another new piece of kit that needed testing; the North Face Elixir Jacket - from Webtogs, and Walk Highlands courtesy of being fortunate to win the walk report of the month for May with the Liathach report... I'll put in a plug for Webtogs; they were friendly; excited to talk about my report; and the service was second to none. I'm a fan; and I'll be using them again. And thanks to Walk Highlands also for an amazing piece of kit; the most breathable fabric they do I'm told; and I believe it; it was phenomenal. Love it

The New North Face Elixir Jacket; and the summit of Creag Mhor :)

A fairly steep and horrible long descent follows before an almost equally steep ascent of Beinn Heasgarnich; but the pain never seems to last long; and the path made the ascent much easier than the long grass and craggy descent... Still; head down and get on with it; I will not stop till the top!! And after a very nice high level walk along the summit plateau for a kilometre or so number 106 was bagged

Looking back at the steep descent from Creag Mhor; pick a route?

Another grassy descent takes you back to the track along the glen and you'll be back before you know it; a few deer disturbed on the way down; another gift I think; I love seeing deer in the wild; always have; always will...

My route...

2011 - 06 - 28 - Creag Mhor.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

And the Stats...

The Stats... A leisurely return to the hills... :)

And to top the perfect return home; a pint of 'Waylade' at the Lade Inn...

How I love Scotland...

[ChrisW]

Is it really 2 months since you went to India, where the hell did that time go Anyway, welcome home Andrew, looks like all those curries didn't do too much harm

[gammy leg walker]

Good to see you back Andrew,and back out on the hills & posting another fine report,does not seam like 2 months since your last walk.

[Rossco]

Nice one Andrew, I just came back from India 3 weeks ago too (having also somehow survived the crazy motorbike rides without helmets! ) and first thing I done was go up the hills next day too.

[Graeme D]

Welcome back Andrew and glad to see you got your priorities right upon your return. My wife and I once spent 6 weeks travelling through India from Calcutta to Mumbai - you need serious therapy after that amount of time at the sharp end of the Indian transport system! Nice report and smart new looking threads - I too found Webtogs to be extremely helpful and effective when I used them. Nice find Paul!

[andrewdoggett]

Thanks for the welcome home all...

My wife and I once spent 6 weeks travelling through India from Calcutta to Mumbai - you need serious therapy after that amount of time at the sharp end of the Indian transport system!

Let the therapy begin

I've had a crack at a small video which I've added to the report from the new camera; never before has sitting by a river seemed so peaceful and relaxing