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It was with a bit of trepidation that we decided to get out and start our 2012 walking season even though we had had a pretty busy winter walking the hills around where we lived. However, we knew that with the Kintail meet just less than 4 weeks away that we needed to get our legs stretched and start to get some decent fitness for the year ahead.
- Su and Ruby at the carpark in Arrochar
- Su getting to grips with her new SLR camera
We had all along planned Bienn Ime as our first choice of the year as we had failed to climb it when we climbed Bienn Narnain in 2010 as we had run out of time and light. Also we had done the Cobbler in September last year as our last climb of the year along with a great crowd of walkers and climbers to see Andy Drinnon bid farewell to the walking and climbing he managed in his time over in Scotland. So off we went from the car park in Arrocher up the winding path through the forest and before long we were seeing Arrocher and Ben Lomond in all their glory.
- Ben Lomond
It brought back memories of the other two walks we had made to Beinn Narnain in November 2010 and The Cobbler November 2011.
- The Cobbler
So third time up the path and heading for The Cobbler along the gradual rising path but this time we were heading beyond to the bealach That leads to Beinn Ime.
- At the Bealach a Mhaim
I could see that it looked very boggy and we started to climb up the broad shoulder and the best path seemed to be the well-trodden ‘stream’ that was coming down the hill.
- The only way is up!!
- Su in bogland!!
As we made our way up the weather turned into glorious sunshine and although that was interrupted by the odd squally snow/hail shower it didn’t dampen our delight of seeing such great views as we made our way upwards. Ruby was leading the way and loving the conditions but better was to come further ahead as she played in the snow chasing her own made snowballs. Also thanks to the people coming up and down whom all commented on Ruby and it was easy to see who the star of this walk was!!
- Su with Beinn Narnain in the background
- The Cobbler from Beinn Ime
Before long we were seeing Beinn Narnain and The Cobbler and Ben Vane and further away we could see Ben Lomond and Loch Ness.
- Almost there!!
It wasn’t long before we reached the Cairn and celebrated Ruby’s first Munro at 8 months old (6 in human years!!).
- Ruby's first Munro!!
After a few more photos (Su’s camera was on overdrive!) we headed back down and managed to slip a couple of times down the wet slopes and were glad to reach the path back down from The Cobbler. Ruby had by now had had enough so I carried her a further part of the way to give her a bit of a rest before she got down herself and walked the remainder of the way to the car park. This was a great start to our climbing year but we need to get out and do more walking as Kintail will be creeping up quickly.