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It was only 5 days since since I first saw the 'buch' and already I was on my way to climb this stunning mountain and bag its 2 munro's.
The forecast was light rain in the morning that would pass by midday and an 80% chance of clear views from the peaks
sounds good enough to me!
Parked the car at the layby at altnafeadh, put on my pink shorts
and off we went at 11.45am
Not quite ready for the curved ridge, so we take a right and head for the corrie
we begin the steep climb up the corrie which has a good path to begin with which we soon lose, find again, lose, find again....you get the picture. With the path lost again and no walking poles
my hands are definately required today....and my knees
The first part of the climb was not easy but I did enjoy it, I suppose if it was easy it wouldn't be so special (keep telling yourself that Neil)
We had been walking/climbing for 1 hour and seemed to be making good progress
but that wouldn't last long
The WH report says, "unpleasantly loose scree" well I could add a few choice words to that description!
This was difficult with no poles, 1 step forward 2 steps back springs to mind! Head down and kept going and soon enough I was passed the loose scree and ready for the next challenge.....and my near death experience!
The path was now non existent and looking up it looked more like a rock climb than a hill walk
If Donnie hadn't been their I reckon I would have turned back thinking I had gone the wrong way! I enjoy a bit of a scramble, finding good hand and foot positions and pulling myself up, stopping now and again to enjoy the views as they improve with each step but when you grab a piece of the mountain and it crumbles in your hand
put your foot on what looks like a secure rock and it gives way
the fun goes for a moment!! I look all around and see no hope, I look down and its a steep fall, 1 wrong move and im dead!!
Now im in fear of my life!
As i contemplate my next move, I look up and see Donnie is momentarily stuck as well, he could have probably got out of the situation more quickly if Teo wasn't all over him, licking every bit of sweat, trying to steal his poles and getting ready to jump on him which would have sent Donnie crashing down! Now this was a serious situation and I knew I should be trying to get Teo away to allow Donnie to make his next move but the more Donnie shouted at him the more Teo thought he was playing and I couldnt move for laughing!!!
....maybe you had to be their
Just as I tempted Teo away from licking Donnies head with a biscuit, we met 2 girls coming down who kindly informed us their was a path to our right (how did we not see it)??? So with my near death experience over and Donnie now at the top, I climbed over to the path and eventually reached the top (thanks girls you saved my life) ....well it felt like it at the time!!!
With the hard work done, we now hoped the mist would clear and allow us to see the excellent views. A short pleasant walk along the ridge and Munro No.1 was in the bag
It took 2 hours from leaving the car to reach our first summit, no views
but no wind
so plenty of time to enjoy a roll and a cuppa.
Now time for Munro No.2
A nice walk along the ridge, over a couple of tops and 2 hours since leaving Munro No.1, Munro No.2 was in the bag
The mist failed to clear
but still some nice views when we dropped down a little
Now for the descent...
Even Teo had to scramble here and when he lost his footing on a wet steep rock he was almost a goner!
We did get glimpses of Ben Nevis...
Some wildlife at last!!
The descent now complete, a nice walk along the path back to the car and a battle with the midges!
Looking back its hard to believe that I was up their! Visibility was poor but I still had a very enjoyable day, good bit of scrambling, nice ridge walks, 2 munro's in the bag, not to mention my near death experience (so i exaggerated a little but it makes for a better headline
) and I have a good excuse, if an excuse is needed to return another day!
Where next????