Walkhighlands

After a not so early start and alot of pottering, including an unscheduled pit stop in Crieff for a bacon roll, the good lady and I duly arrived at Ben Chonzie. We weren't sure what to expect as this was our first Munro and I'd heard alot of poo pooh about Chonzie being dull, unexciting and just plain boring..

Having nothing to compare it with, however, we both set off along the path turning right past the farmhouses and through the gate to the path. Aah the path leading up to the summit. Of our first Munro. We were quite excited as we marched off up the landrover path, pointing out sheep and even stopping to look at a butterfly. My unfit legs and lack of stamina started to tell after about 10 minutes tho and our first little stop was just past the dam for a bite to eat and a drink. Incidentally, the water was down to a trickle and easily walked over ( using the stones, we didn't even get our feet wet..)
As soon as we stopped we were instantly rounded on by a big horde of midges, gently encouraging us to move on ever upwards.

We then got onto what I now consider the 'middle' section of the hill. A fairly uneven path of little stones and loose rocks. This was probably the least impressive part of the walk. We stopped again further up for some water and a wee seat, again the midges bore down on us. Cursing, we marched on for the cairn at the split in the track.

I found it, or thought I had but the burd thought otherwise and started away on the path again. After some arguing it turned out she was right - the proper cairn WAS further up! That was me telt then. From here we scrambled up the hill towards the summit, meeting up with the old metal fence posts about halfway up. From there it suddenly got colder, so it was jacket on and up to the summit!

We had bagged our first Munro!! After some whoops, high fives and a celebratory egg roll at the summit we then marched back down the hill, pretty much the way we ascended it.

Maybe not the most spectacular munro, but there were some nice views at the top of some other hills (alas, my knowledge didn't stretch to identifying them..), mountain hares (another first for me), and it stayed dry. Chonzie will always hold a place in my little black heart..

I'm off to tackle Lawers this Saturday, see y'all at the top!

Congrats to you both, if your going up Lawers on sat I would recomend the path that goes up the valley (very noticable) if your after an easyier walk

fifewalker wrote:We weren't sure what to expect as this was our first Munro and I'd heard alot of poo pooh about Chonzie being dull, unexciting and just plain boring..

Bah humbug - load of nonsense! True, it's not the most charismatic Munro on the list, but it's only as dull, unexciting and boring as someone with ...... nah, better not go there! Has a special place in my heart too.

P.S. The loch is Loch Turret!

Chonzie does get a bit of bad press and to be fair the slog from the south is a bit of a killer, however the route through Glen Turret and back along the southern tops is a pretty nice walk...certainly on a par with 70% of the hills in the southern highlands..

so i agree, Chonzie has an undeserved reputation!! and a dreich day however!!????

Congrats to you both on your 1st! Know what you mean about the cold, couldnt have been much above freezing on Tuesday when we did a couple of the Crianlarich Munros. Best of luck on Lawers.

Well done guys!! This was my first solo munro, so I was glad of nothing too exciting!

You managed to get really good views , I saw heehaw!! Not even the infamous fenceline until I was about 6 ft away!!

Hope the legs are feeling a lot better!!!

yeah grats on first of many wasnt so long ago we did our first, stac (polly) tommorow not a munro but looks like a good climb all the same will let y`all know how it goes in a report.