A calm day on Ben Challum
Posted: Wed Dec 28, 2011 1:56 pmMy first hill in two months!
I had been both looking forward to and dreading this day. Having worked abroad for the last month or so, I fell out my usual routine of hillwalking, cycling and going to the gym every week. Near enough 2 months without any real exercise made me worry I wouldn't even make it up a Graham or a Corbett never mind a Munro but I went for it anyway. Looked at my Munro map and seeing all the blue dots around Loch Lomond area, knew I had to start heading a bit further north from now on and expect longer journeys. Still a few around Crianlarich though so picked a relatively easy looking single Munro for my first day back; Ben Challum.
It was a bit of a last minute decision the night before when going through all the new gear Santa got me. A quick check of MWIS said the weather was to be calm and mild for a change on the 27th so I had to go for it. Got my bags all packed, checked the map for my next victim and that was that.
I set my alarm for the first time in about 3 weeks for 7am which was not a pleasant start to the day, got ready, made the 50 mile drive and was on the hill for 9.30am. One of my earlier starts for a while I think due to short daylight times. I was starting from Kirkton Farm on the A82, nothing fancy this trip, no going off track, no making it up as I go along, just an easy simple walk to get me back into the swing of things. And it stayed that way for a change!
It's an easy path to follow for the first ten minutes, cross a wee bridge, up to the farm, past a cemetery, cross the railway, either over the bridge or at the level crossing, and then you're off the path and into the bog! There's a high deer fence that runs up the hill which you can near enough follow the whole way up if you're unsure but the track is well worn in anyway so it's not too difficult.
Across the bridge to Kirkton Farm by Rossco 7, on Flickr
River Fillan with Cruach Ardrain (1046m) in background by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Ben More (1174m), Stob Binnein (1165m) and Cruach Ardrain (1046m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
The first 40 minutes were brutal and I had to stop for a break on some huge rocks. Didn't mind though as the view back towards Ben Lui et al was magnificent. They were covered in snow and just made me think about climbing up that central gully with ice axes which I'm sure some people would have been doing as I was looking at it. The views all around were just as good though. It's quite cool looking around and seeing all these amazing rocky peaks and knowing you've stood on top of them all in the last year.
Ben More (1174m), Stob Binnein (1165m) and Cruach Ardrain (1046m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Looking back towards Beinn Dubhchraig (978m), Ben Oss (1029m) & Ben Lui (1130m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
It levels out a bit half way up at about 600 metres which was a welcome break for my tiring legs. Quite boggy though so my new walking poles were being used to test how soggy the ground was before I stepped on it more than anything else!
Gettin a bit boggy! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Gettin really boggy! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Jump the fence! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
You reach a fence corner eventually at the end of the level section and once you're over that it's back to climbing. While it wasn't too steep or hard going, the fact that the path follows what would be a rocky stream in wet weather made it quite icy underfoot. Finally reached the South summit in about 2 hours 15 minutes, put a rock on the cairn and kept going. It got a wee bit misty up here at this point but it quickly disappeared. Not after I had the following image appear before me of a half snow covered peak.
I thought I was going to have to stop and get the axe out and wondered if I'd even make it through the snow without crampons but there was enough space to still follow the path for the most part without stepping foot on the snow. I had a wee wander across it on some flat sections though and I never realised how hard and icy it would be having not walked on untouched snow like that up high before. Made me realise even more how dangerous it would be trying to go up a hill covered like that without the necessary equipment. Won't manage to get winter boots and crampons this year but I will be getting them in plenty time for next winter definitely!
Anyway, finally reached the summit of my 23rd Munro in about 2 and a half hours and I felt good. Legs were fine, not too tired! A successful first half of the day.
Final push to the summit of Ben Challum (1025m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Ben Challum summit (1025m) with Ben Lui (1130m) in background by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Me at Ben Challum (1025m) summit by Rossco 7, on Flickr
The cloud cleared just enough for me to take some photos and enjoy the amazing surroundings for a change. It's been a while since I've actually had views on the summit of a hill so I thoroughly enjoyed my 20 minutes sitting having lunch. Even more so though because I used my new flask for some warm soup and had the most amazing roll ever stuffed with Christmas dinner left overs. Not too shabby!
Looking East towards Meall Glas (959m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Christmas Dinner in a fresh ciabatta for lunch! Mmmm by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Ben Challum South summit (998m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
The trip back down was pretty easy. Strayed from the path a few times just for a change of scenery but it was descended in no time. New sticks really came in helpful for the old knees here!
Jaggy rocks! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Red furry rock! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Back across the bridge to finish the day by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Overall, it was a brilliant day out that was well overdue. Made the right decision not going for something epic and long to reintroduce myself to the hills for a change. So glad to get back out there!
23 down, 260 to go...
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1397960
I had been both looking forward to and dreading this day. Having worked abroad for the last month or so, I fell out my usual routine of hillwalking, cycling and going to the gym every week. Near enough 2 months without any real exercise made me worry I wouldn't even make it up a Graham or a Corbett never mind a Munro but I went for it anyway. Looked at my Munro map and seeing all the blue dots around Loch Lomond area, knew I had to start heading a bit further north from now on and expect longer journeys. Still a few around Crianlarich though so picked a relatively easy looking single Munro for my first day back; Ben Challum.
It was a bit of a last minute decision the night before when going through all the new gear Santa got me. A quick check of MWIS said the weather was to be calm and mild for a change on the 27th so I had to go for it. Got my bags all packed, checked the map for my next victim and that was that.
I set my alarm for the first time in about 3 weeks for 7am which was not a pleasant start to the day, got ready, made the 50 mile drive and was on the hill for 9.30am. One of my earlier starts for a while I think due to short daylight times. I was starting from Kirkton Farm on the A82, nothing fancy this trip, no going off track, no making it up as I go along, just an easy simple walk to get me back into the swing of things. And it stayed that way for a change!
It's an easy path to follow for the first ten minutes, cross a wee bridge, up to the farm, past a cemetery, cross the railway, either over the bridge or at the level crossing, and then you're off the path and into the bog! There's a high deer fence that runs up the hill which you can near enough follow the whole way up if you're unsure but the track is well worn in anyway so it's not too difficult.
Across the bridge to Kirkton Farm by Rossco 7, on Flickr
River Fillan with Cruach Ardrain (1046m) in background by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Ben More (1174m), Stob Binnein (1165m) and Cruach Ardrain (1046m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
The first 40 minutes were brutal and I had to stop for a break on some huge rocks. Didn't mind though as the view back towards Ben Lui et al was magnificent. They were covered in snow and just made me think about climbing up that central gully with ice axes which I'm sure some people would have been doing as I was looking at it. The views all around were just as good though. It's quite cool looking around and seeing all these amazing rocky peaks and knowing you've stood on top of them all in the last year.
Ben More (1174m), Stob Binnein (1165m) and Cruach Ardrain (1046m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Looking back towards Beinn Dubhchraig (978m), Ben Oss (1029m) & Ben Lui (1130m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
It levels out a bit half way up at about 600 metres which was a welcome break for my tiring legs. Quite boggy though so my new walking poles were being used to test how soggy the ground was before I stepped on it more than anything else!
Gettin a bit boggy! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Gettin really boggy! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Jump the fence! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
You reach a fence corner eventually at the end of the level section and once you're over that it's back to climbing. While it wasn't too steep or hard going, the fact that the path follows what would be a rocky stream in wet weather made it quite icy underfoot. Finally reached the South summit in about 2 hours 15 minutes, put a rock on the cairn and kept going. It got a wee bit misty up here at this point but it quickly disappeared. Not after I had the following image appear before me of a half snow covered peak.
I thought I was going to have to stop and get the axe out and wondered if I'd even make it through the snow without crampons but there was enough space to still follow the path for the most part without stepping foot on the snow. I had a wee wander across it on some flat sections though and I never realised how hard and icy it would be having not walked on untouched snow like that up high before. Made me realise even more how dangerous it would be trying to go up a hill covered like that without the necessary equipment. Won't manage to get winter boots and crampons this year but I will be getting them in plenty time for next winter definitely!
Anyway, finally reached the summit of my 23rd Munro in about 2 and a half hours and I felt good. Legs were fine, not too tired! A successful first half of the day.
Final push to the summit of Ben Challum (1025m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Ben Challum summit (1025m) with Ben Lui (1130m) in background by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Me at Ben Challum (1025m) summit by Rossco 7, on Flickr
The cloud cleared just enough for me to take some photos and enjoy the amazing surroundings for a change. It's been a while since I've actually had views on the summit of a hill so I thoroughly enjoyed my 20 minutes sitting having lunch. Even more so though because I used my new flask for some warm soup and had the most amazing roll ever stuffed with Christmas dinner left overs. Not too shabby!
Looking East towards Meall Glas (959m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Christmas Dinner in a fresh ciabatta for lunch! Mmmm by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Ben Challum South summit (998m) by Rossco 7, on Flickr
The trip back down was pretty easy. Strayed from the path a few times just for a change of scenery but it was descended in no time. New sticks really came in helpful for the old knees here!
Jaggy rocks! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Red furry rock! by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Back across the bridge to finish the day by Rossco 7, on Flickr
Overall, it was a brilliant day out that was well overdue. Made the right decision not going for something epic and long to reintroduce myself to the hills for a change. So glad to get back out there!
23 down, 260 to go...
http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1397960
!