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Oh come on ,if this report title is good enough for two doyens of Walkhighlands, it is certainly good enough for me
After a day out on Schiehallion on Monday, I was keen to get out and about again this week.
With my original plans to venture up Ben Donich going awry due to another WH member having a dodgy uncarriage, I was so pleased to be offered a chance by Rocket Ron to head up to Bridge of Tilt and take on the very fashionable Beinn Dearg.
An easy drive up the A9 saw me arriving early for our 8.30 meet up. We both agreed that we would take crampons, microspikes and ice axe, just in case we needed them.(We didn't!) And then we were off
Monty and Andrew both gave well detailed reports of the route and we were happy to continue just as they had. That being said, it is such an obvious path that you really can't go wrong
The sky was looking a lovely lovely blue and the sun was doing its best to warm our grateful backs.
- The Sun Has Got Its Hat On!!!
With the path being so good, it meant that not only could we relax and forge ahead comfortably, but that we could catch up on Ron's new life in Orkney. A self-imposed exile had seen the poor man leaving behind his many comforts of home and living in a place with initially no TV, no internet, no heating, no one in the nightclubs and a chippy that shuts at 8pm (the very time that Ron finishes work!). I must confess to phoning him and telling him to head back to Inverness. Ron, however, is made of sterner stuff and has stuck it out long enough to see his situation improve quite markedly.
Anyway back to the walk, after about 2hrs we were at the bothy and went in for a nosey. We were both very impressed by the condition of the exterior and interior of the building and by the kind supplies that people had left behind. As for the contents of the whisky, neither of us felt brave enough to open it and confirm whether or not it was the water of life or just someone taking the p**s! A perusal through the visitors' book read like the who's who of WH! Andrew, Jonny, Monty and now Pollyh33 and Rocket Ron. Sponsorship deal in the offing????
- A Smart Wee Bothy
Just as we were leaving, another walker arrived on his bike. He had saved himself 40 mins by using pedal power, good idea if you're short of time I suppose.
As you leave the bothy you have a fairly fast flowing icy burn to cross. We walked up a good few metres before we found a suitable spot to get over to the other bank- better to take your time here, neither of us wanted either an icy bath or a bruised behind.
The path continues to be great, if a wee bit narrower from now on, and we continued to walk and talk.
As we expected the snow got a bit deeper but only so far as our ankles so no problems at all. After approx 3.5 hours we spotted to summit cairn and congratulated ourselves on reaching the summit of a munro without any feeling of ascent whatsoever.
As we stood about taking photos and having a bite to eat, the walker we met earlier approached and looked like he was going to go past the cairn.
'What's he doing?' I asked Ron quizically (?sp)
'Don't know' he said, 'maybe he's frightened of the dog'
'Only 1/2 mile to go now guys!' said the walking talking cyclist.
Ooooooopsies!!! We didn't even pretend to have known that!!!
After a wee giggling session we headed off for the correct summit cairn
The shelter looked smashing and we thanked our temporary companion for showing us the error of our ways.
Not only am I glad that we got to the correct summit but the slightly extra time at the top meant we were treated fabulous views that had been missing at the erroneous one!!!
Since we had just eaten we didn't hang about too long and started our rather speedy descent back down to the bothy. There is an option to take a different return path but we decided against it because the initial climb looked dangerous on a very steep icy path
We enjoyed another visit to the bothy and did some sweeping out and rummaging about.
I should say at this point, as it had been for most of the day, that the weather was glorious. The sun was very warm and having nothing more than the occasion light breeze, the walk was an absolute joy.
As winter walking goes or indeed any walking goes, this was perfection. The smile never left my face once. And apologies to Ron, for I must have said every two minutes- 'How fab is this????'
As for the stats. Please note you have to take my word for this. Shockaroooooonie! (Hope this is possible!!!)
Journey time -7.5 hours
Walking time- 6.5 hours.
Fantastic memories time- immeasurable