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Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Tooled up on the Cobbler!


Postby davgil » Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:16 pm

Route description: The Cobbler, Arrochar

Corbetts included on this walk: The Cobbler

Date walked: 28/10/2011

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I had a few hours to spare on Friday afternoon, no time for a Munro, so decided on a quick jaunt up the Cobbler.
While getting ready in the car park I had a wee visitor :D

Robin-01a.jpg

The wee fella actually hopped into my car twice as I faffed about :lol:

I wasn't expecting great views and this summed it up for the day:

Cobbler-01a.jpg

As i reached the foot of the Cobbler a few dozen military guys appeared on their way down.
Tooled up? Not half! 8)

They were happy to tell me they were Dutch Special Forces.
I was given permission from each individual or group to take their photos
and had some brief banter with them as they passed...very friendly bunch.
(when they're on your side) :lol:

Their English is a lot better than my Dutch :clap:

Dsf-01a.jpg


Dsf-03a.jpg


Dsf-04a.jpg


Dsf-05a.jpg

I'll never complain about my pack size again :shock:

Dsf-06a.jpg


Dsf-07a.jpg

On to the top and despite the horrendous winds I was determined to get a couple of pics.
I'm usually after the scenery but as there was nothing to see decided to grab a couple of self portraits.

Cobbler-02a.jpg

The camera was in shelter when I walked away but just as I turned round a gust of wind lifted one leg
of the tripod and you can see my reaction :lol: panic and a few choice words but all was well :lol:

Cobbler-03a.jpg

Wasn't sure how successful the summit pics were so a quick one for the road, a pic that is!

Cobbler-04a.jpg

Just a short walk but well worth it today :D
Last edited by davgil on Sat Oct 29, 2011 12:15 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby JOHNGG » Fri Oct 28, 2011 10:47 pm

Must be quite some army exercise - i was on Glas Bheinn just east of Kinlochleven today (Friday) and there were dozens of soldiers crawling over the hills... not brave enough to take any photos though
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby skuk007 » Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:07 pm

Great pics, love your action shot one. :)
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby pollyh33 » Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:55 pm

Great report. Fantastic use of your time!
Was it not a bit surreal seeing those guys?? :shock:
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby Milesy » Sun Oct 30, 2011 1:08 am

I am positive that is the same wee robin who is always about in the Succoth area. Always hoping about mooching. :lol:
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby SMRussell » Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:49 am

This was a pleasure to read and it is great to hear that the Dutch Special Forces were so obliging :D
Great snaps :wink:
Wish more of my more recent hill walking days were this interesting!
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby BlackPanther » Mon Oct 31, 2011 10:55 am

That's a report with a twist! Curious birds inspecting cars, armed forces as climbing companions... :lol: :lol: Certainly a story to share!
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby malky_c » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:14 pm

Wow. Is that Monty in the front there? :lol:

Dsf-01a.jpg
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby foggieclimber » Mon Oct 31, 2011 12:28 pm

If it was Monty, and he was telling jokes, surely the others would be pointing their guns towards him (or to their own heads)? :wink:
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby davgil » Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:15 pm

Thanks everyone,

Polly, it was quite surreal and impressive at the same time!
Milesy, I'm sure the wee chap is quite a celebrity by now in that car park :D
SMRussel, I was also quite surprised that they were willing to have their pics taken.
They all found it quite amusing I think, unless they were just laughing at my hat :lol:
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby ChrisW » Mon Oct 31, 2011 1:28 pm

Great report Dave with some really interesting photos to accompany it. Those Dutch guys have some weight on their backs by the look of it, guess they don't have many hills back home to train on eh :lol:
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby MC-75 » Mon Oct 31, 2011 11:24 pm

A great report on a great hill! One of my favourites to have a day out on! Those Dutch troops have been in the area for quite a few weeks now, training on our hills. Reminds me of the time I was on a hike in a remote glen and I was jumped by fully armed Gurkha's, with their guns raised at us, before their Sarge started calling them all the stupid idiots as we were civvies and not the intended target to be ambushed, which had by then also arrived on the scene!
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby davgil » Thu Nov 03, 2011 10:50 am

Chris, they were coming down slowly and watching every step, I guess it's no fun falling with that weight on your back :)
MC-75, that must have been interesting :lol:
I was asking them how long they were here for and one guy said we were told 3 days but have been here for 2 weeks so far!

I'm sure a lot of walkers must have come across them recently and just presumed they wouldn't like their photos taken.
No harm in asking I thought...what's the worst that could happen? :lol:
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby darren712001 » Sun Jan 15, 2012 4:08 pm

Wish I was as dedicated as your good self to take my tripod up with me, but the thought of the extra weight puts me off, my manfroto tripod weighs a ton, lol.
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Re: Tooled up on the Cobbler!

Postby quoman » Sun Jan 15, 2012 10:06 pm

Man i would have sh*** ma self seeing awe them coming doon tooled up to the max. thought they were looking for bin laden is that no a name of a hill :lol: :lol: :lol:
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