It was very sunny and I ain't Lyon.....

[Gable Gable End]

I’ve been meaning to get around the Glen Lyon horseshoe ever since I started talking in the hills, as I have often spent the majority of my time in Glen Lyon gazing at the great scenery when I should be keeping my eyes on the road
By most accounts it’s a round of 4 “featureless lumps” over 18k and you can see by the user ratings on WH that they aren’t as well regarded as others. I’ve always changed plans upon poor weather as I have been quite keen to do these in nice conditions as the round does seem have some great views north and West. The forecast was looking good for Today and I got in the car and headed the 90 miles or so to Glen Lyon in glorious blue skies with the odd bit of cloud.

I set off at 10.30 from Invervar after managing to squeeze my car into a non space at the Car Park behind the telephone box. I crossed the main road and went through the 1st gate and the 2nd gate at the start of the trees. The waterfalls alongside the track seemed inviting and I had half an idea to drop back on my way back. I followed the WH route by head up out of the forest and into the Glen .....

At this point, rather than heading up the knoll / ridge of Carn Gorm; I simply followed the path which follows the Invervar Burn and was followed by a very noisy sheep who obviously didn’t approve.

From here is was a short pull up onto the ridge and the track before the first steep riser to Carn Gorm; there was a nice view which opened up at this point looking back along the road that I travelled to get to Invervar.

At this point the sun was baking and I was already streaming with sweat and attracting a large amount of flying insects; thankfully there was a very small breeze to keep the midge at bay. From here I met a couple who did the same route as me and we headed up the final pull to the summit of Carn Gorm. Good views opened out to the Lawers range, Crianlarich peaks, Schiehallion (doesn’t every summit?) and a large length of Loch Rannoch.

I stuck around for 5 mins or so before descending down to the col, I bypassed An Sgorr as I didn’t fancy any extra ascent/descent as I stupidly forgot my walking poles (twice in a row!). Very quickly I was ascending the fencepost assisted pull to the ugly summit of Meall Garbh; maybe someone should arrange for a notice to ask all walkers to take 1 or 2 of those old fence posts down from the summit as it’s a bloody eyesore. Other than the rotten summit cairn; the views were quite nice here and I spent ten mins soaking in the sun and rehydrating.

FENCEPOST AIDS

From here it’s a case of following fenceposts up the col to Meal a' Bharr and following the ridge along with the craggy arm of Carn Mairg becoming more prominent with every footstep. A quick hop across the boulders and stone before reaching the summit; from here I headed over the Tor to soak in some more sun and the nice view along the back edge of the Lawers range and road.

thats a bit more like it......

Ben Lawers and the road up the side.....

There is a reasonably steep descent from here and I could feel the tendon in my ankle starting to play up as I headed south east down to the deep col; here I stopped for 5 minutes to rehydrate and air my feet (which were beginning to waft a putrid smell upwards whilst walking!). Feet aired and dry; it was time to get moving again and I headed up the col and across to the 4th Munro of the day: Creag Mhor. I met another couple here and I think they were pleased to find out they were on the summit despite their GPS attempting to send them East to one of the lower tops as a summit; adding another 250 metres ascent and probably another 4k on the journey! I sat for around here 10-15 mins or so; quick sandwich, some water, a few text messages and a cheesy summit shot.

Shapeshifting Mountain seemingly visible from everywhere

At this point I could feel I had absorbed a lot of sun throughout the walk and made sure I had plenty of water before descending down towards Invervar. I headed over the top which had far better views of the Glen and the Lawers range before cutting across to the ridge along the less steep descent to Invervar. The descent was baking hot and my ankle tendon was really starting to ache; it was here that I really missed my walking poles (I never even used the things 4 months ago!). From here the path joined up with the woods and I headed in towards the waterfalls I clocked earlier on in the walk. Shoes off and feet (and ankle!) in; absolute bliss! All that was missing here was a cool beer and Monty on the guitar

point and shoot i'm afraid

Bliss; sorry for the nudity ;)

After 10 mins or so in the water, I donned my socks and headed back down the track and to the car park at Invervar for 3.30pm with a total journey time of 5 hours car to car; which does seem to be a lot shorter than the suggested timescales.

It was a bizarre sensation to be out walking in baking heat and if I am honest; I felt myself overheating on a number of occasions throughout the walk; regardless of this, it was a fine day out. I’d much rather work the heat than the usual clag

After what seems like a long time; I am now starting to understanding the “bagging” thing and why people do it. For a good few years I have always enjoyed being out and I have been a fair weather / wanderer type and I wasn’t really determined to exert myself for the sake of it; however, I am beginning to think that this may be changing. I blame Monty, WeeMisterMac and Stretch.......

[Stretch]

Everybody blames the American

What a fine day you had Stu, save some of that fine weather for when I get back in August will ya.

[pollyh33]

Loved your report GGE,
Is it really as straightforward as you made it sound? Or are you one of these lucky people who can eat up hills without too much effort????

[dooterbang]

Great time for 18k.

No guitar at the summit, i'm sure if you whipped it out Monty would appear

[Gable Gable End]

Stretch: we could save all of the finest weather going until you came back and it would STILL clag/rain....

Polly: This round is pretty much path all of the way, it's a bit of a pull up to Carn Gorm but reasonably straightforward from there. I'm certainly not a chomper, i'm still new to this game. I would say I prefer to get the crappy bit out of the way as quickly as possible and I always try to plan my pre walking eats and a route to get my second wind before the first major pull From what I can see of your routes, you will have no probs!

Doots: Twas actually 17k according the my route planner; I didn't really stop much and there were no navigational errors to contend with (which is the norm!). My descent was quick and as painless as possible too i.e. I hoppped down at various points. Thankfully no guitar; I think I embarrassed myself enough last week

It was actually 5 hours and 3 mins to be precise

[chickadee]

I LOVE Glen Lyon, and this is a route I must do one day... Great weather though I did wonder how people would be coping on the hills, I went for a wee walk today and that sun was really roasting.

[Paul Webster]

Summer at last eh!!

I wouldn't dare put a pic of my feet on here

[monty]

Nice one GGE,
Some lovely pictures of err, em, ah, the sunshine cause these are the most boring hills in Scotland

"It was actually 5 hours and 3 mins to be precise" not bad for a lead guitarist

[old danensian]

Thanks for this one Stuart - pics are great and the route detail really useful. I'm heading back up tomorrow and had this planned for Wednesday, although it doesn't look like I'll be enjoying the weather you had - but if these hills are as dull as some folks make out then the challenge of doing them in the clag / rain may compensate.

OD

[mountainstar]

Sorry Stu, but your not a proper bagger yet, tough mountaineering baggers do NOT sunbathe!
By the way your title for this is "almost" as bad as Monty's jokes
Anyway, it was a great day for walking, even if a bit hot.

[kinley]

Summer? Not seen that for a while

Good stuff - these hills are under-rated by some. Looks a great day

[gammy leg walker]

Nice one Stu,looks as if you had some fine weather,these 4 hills are underated,but offer some fine views when the weather is grand.

[pollyh33]

Thanks for the encouragement GGE. I'd be super chuffed with myself if I performed half as well as you did

[LeithySuburbs]

Looks a grand day Stu - did these in similar heat in April and sweated my way up the first munro.

Am I the only person who thought "FENCEPOST AIDS" sounds like a rather nasty affliction picked up through over-friendly interaction with said posts ...

[Gable Gable End]

Am I the only person who thought "FENCEPOST AIDS" sounds like a rather nasty affliction picked up through over-friendly interaction with said posts ...

I was going for that angle