Getting creative with a Flake and 2 doughnuts on Ben More
Posted: Fri Jul 29, 2011 7:50 pmIt is always exciting when an invitation comes through to join someone on a day out on the hills. However, when its for a 100th munro climb then you know its going to something special, and it was. Garry aka Gagfax was heading up Ben More to go into treble figures and I was more than happy to tag along.
We met in the improvised layby on the A85, near Ben More farm and without too flaffing about by me (quick tighten of the laces) , we were off.
Look out for the small, wooden ‘Ben More’ sign and go through the break in the hedge, cross a burn, then two stiles and you’re onto a landrover track. After 10 mins Ben More and Stob Binnein come into view .
Carry on for another 10 mins and then make the decision to tackle the endless grassy slopes on Ben More head on or continue on the track to see if there is an easier option further along. After a brief discussion, we decided on the latter. No point of having a track and not using it!!! It was only 9am and the sun was already feeling a bit fierce. We carried on until the track ran out and started on our climb heading south-east towards the bealach. (Bealach-eader-dha Bheinn). Its still a big of a slog but using the diagonal approach takes the sting out of it. So does sitting down and having a wee look around while slower members of the party catch up!
About an hour and a half after starting we reached the bealach . Decision time again, Ben More or Stob Binnein first?
Garry chose Ben More first which suited me fine because I was dying to show him what I had brought along!!! And I was starving, which to be honest is my default state.!!! We followed the stony, scree path onwards and upwards and eventually the trig point came into view or should that be phewww!!! There’s a wee bit of a scramble over some rocks but there are well-placed foot and hand holds available or just skirt round the rocks for the easier option.
And so he had done it, the manchild had reached 100!!!
While Gagfax received well-deserved congratulations from the other walkers, I put together a culinary masterpiece!!!
And people wonder where my children get their artistic talent from??? No need to explore the gene pool any further methinks!!!
Being a gent Garry shared his goodies with me- smashing!!!
We sat at the top for ages and enjoyed the post-prandial rest.
One more last look at number 100 and then back down to the bealach.
I was now looking forward to climbing Stob Binnein especially with the easy climb and obvious path. Garry, had already climbed Stob Binnein after doing a route that included Cruach Ardrain, but he was happy to do it again from this different approach. After an enjoyable walk up (about 30mins??) you reach a short grassy plateau and the summit cairn is clearly visible ahead. The views from here, like Ben More, were amazing! It gave Gagfax a chance to ask me questions about what I could see and test my knowledge and it gave me a chance to give stupid answers and test his patience!!!!
After another sizeable rest we started to make our return. We watched other people going back the way we came, mmmm we didn’t fancy that too much. So we followed the direct route west down from the bealach. It was the first time that day that we encountered any boggy ground and once past a big rock, the path improved and made the descent really pleasant. Before we knew it we were back on the landrover track. I was chuffed for two reasons, my water had run out and I had developed a bit of a headache (very rare for me). After a quick dive into his Mary Poppins rucksack, Garry produced a packet of crisps and a bar of chocolate for me- yum! Certainly helped the sore head!!
And so one of my favourite days on the hills was at an end
Once again Gagfax- well done matey
and thanks for inviting me along. 
We met in the improvised layby on the A85, near Ben More farm and without too flaffing about by me (quick tighten of the laces) , we were off.
Look out for the small, wooden ‘Ben More’ sign and go through the break in the hedge, cross a burn, then two stiles and you’re onto a landrover track. After 10 mins Ben More and Stob Binnein come into view .
Carry on for another 10 mins and then make the decision to tackle the endless grassy slopes on Ben More head on or continue on the track to see if there is an easier option further along. After a brief discussion, we decided on the latter. No point of having a track and not using it!!! It was only 9am and the sun was already feeling a bit fierce. We carried on until the track ran out and started on our climb heading south-east towards the bealach. (Bealach-eader-dha Bheinn). Its still a big of a slog but using the diagonal approach takes the sting out of it. So does sitting down and having a wee look around while slower members of the party catch up!
About an hour and a half after starting we reached the bealach . Decision time again, Ben More or Stob Binnein first?
Garry chose Ben More first which suited me fine because I was dying to show him what I had brought along!!! And I was starving, which to be honest is my default state.!!! We followed the stony, scree path onwards and upwards and eventually the trig point came into view or should that be phewww!!! There’s a wee bit of a scramble over some rocks but there are well-placed foot and hand holds available or just skirt round the rocks for the easier option.
And so he had done it, the manchild had reached 100!!!
While Gagfax received well-deserved congratulations from the other walkers, I put together a culinary masterpiece!!!
And people wonder where my children get their artistic talent from??? No need to explore the gene pool any further methinks!!!
Being a gent Garry shared his goodies with me- smashing!!!
We sat at the top for ages and enjoyed the post-prandial rest.
One more last look at number 100 and then back down to the bealach.
I was now looking forward to climbing Stob Binnein especially with the easy climb and obvious path. Garry, had already climbed Stob Binnein after doing a route that included Cruach Ardrain, but he was happy to do it again from this different approach. After an enjoyable walk up (about 30mins??) you reach a short grassy plateau and the summit cairn is clearly visible ahead. The views from here, like Ben More, were amazing! It gave Gagfax a chance to ask me questions about what I could see and test my knowledge and it gave me a chance to give stupid answers and test his patience!!!!
- Yippee number 22 for me!!!
After another sizeable rest we started to make our return. We watched other people going back the way we came, mmmm we didn’t fancy that too much. So we followed the direct route west down from the bealach. It was the first time that day that we encountered any boggy ground and once past a big rock, the path improved and made the descent really pleasant. Before we knew it we were back on the landrover track. I was chuffed for two reasons, my water had run out and I had developed a bit of a headache (very rare for me). After a quick dive into his Mary Poppins rucksack, Garry produced a packet of crisps and a bar of chocolate for me- yum! Certainly helped the sore head!!
And so one of my favourite days on the hills was at an end
Once again Gagfax- well done matey
and thanks for inviting me along. 
Someone once accused me of bizarre titles, and Kev has a track history and a fine line in the old funny titles as well, but I think you've taken the biscuit, so to speak! 
