My first Munro

[Trossachsgirl]

A couple of weeks ago I ran out of realistic excuses why one of our weekend walks should not be an attempt on a Munro. Neither my husband or I were going to be working, the weather was not forecast to be a complete wash out, and frankly we had nothing else planned. My husband had wanted to 'bag' one for a long time so was very keen to choose one and get going.

So looking at options, which included on my part nothing too strenuous and within an hour of the house, Ben Lomond was selected and we took heed of advice on this site and set off nice and early. Indeed, ours was the first car in the car park and it was around 0810 that we officially started.

Husband Tony starting out on our first Munro adventure

The walk through the forest at the start was very pleasant, especially as it had rained a little overnight and had that lovely 'fresh' smell that lingers in the damp. However, we were keen to get on and climbed steadily before turning around and enjoying our first views of Loch Lomond from the hillside. We were not disappointed. No, the sun was not reflecting in the still water, instead a low mist had descended, bringing with it a mystical setting, which I could have watched over for hours.

Beautiful Loch Lomond

Instead, I was pulled back to reality and to the fact that the cloud was coming down faster than we really wanted it to. We stuck to the path and made our way up the rocky zig-zag route while the rain came down and the wind picked up. Visibility went down to around 50m but there was never a doubt that we would not complete the task in hand. In fact the summit arrived all too quickly (although from my point of view, that was a very pleasant surprise)!

We did not linger too long at the top. Sadly there were no views to admire and it was rather cold. But the obligitory photographs were taken and our smiles were just as wide as they would have been had it been a clear day.

Tony smiling broadly at the summit

Because of the weather and poor visibility we decided to re-trace our steps rather than extend our adventure via the Ptarmigan route (we will save that on our return visit). While we enjoyed the hill to ourselves on the ascent, the way down was very different. Once we got just below the clouds we could see lots of walkers, one group behind another, making their way up the path like an army of ants gathering food or debris for their nest. Everyone we met said 'hello'. Walking really is one of those past-times when people who meet can be called friends who have just not met yet.

We ambled down carefully as the path was wet and the limbs were tired and finished our round trip in under four hours. A flask of warm coffee was waiting for us in the car and our adventure finished with a warm drink, a stunning view and the two of us feeling very pleased with ourselves and planning our next Munro adventure.

Our view to end our first Munro adventure

To those who doubt their ability, take it from me, you can do it. I am not couch potato but I am by no means a gym junkie. Yes, I ached for about three days after the walk, but the natural high I got from making it to the summit is still with me. Can't wait to do another.

[skuk007]

Hi and welcome to the site.
Congratulations to you both on your first Munro, it's a great feeling to get the first one completed. Hope you have fun planning and eventually walking plenty of others.

[monty]

Hi and well done on your first munro. I done Ben Lomond not so long ago and had similar weather so I could not see anything from the top. Its a shame because the views are impressive and make the slog up the hill worthwhile.

Good luck on your next munro

[Paul Webster]

Aye, congratulations are in order

Doing a first Munro and trip report on Ben Lomond looks like becoming a tradition on here.

Wait until you get a fine day up somewhere like that, then you'll really be hooked

[mountain coward]

Sounds like you had a great day out! It's funny how some people become more sociable up hills (and some unfortunately go the other way) - I'm one of those people and am really chatty in the hills - don't usually speak to anyone I don't know at ground level though - weird! I suppose you know you're speaking to fairly like-minded people who have something in common with you...

[Alan S]

well done to you both
ben lomond was my first munro and i havent looked back,im sure there will be plenty more to come now that youve caught the bug
unfortunetly the mist will make an appearence from time to time, i think it follows me around the munros

good 1st report

alan

[hills]

Very well done, I suspect ben lomond is a first hill for many, probably the first of quite a few for you, gets a bit addictive this.

[yokehead]

Well done and congrats on your first Munro (first of many?). Your early start paid off to give you the hill to yourselves, always worthwhile in my view. Nothing against fellow walkers, as you say they're mostly a friendly bunch, but a busy noisy hill isn't quite the same!

[EmmaBemma]

Ben Lomond was my first too! I went up it in jeans, a hoodie and knackered old Converse. The weather was much as in your report, but I loved it anyway, especially running all the way down. (that was in my early twenties, before I bothered about fripperies like knees).

I like the way most people say hello too. I go out on my own but it's still nice to see a friendly face every once in a while.

Good report, hope it's the first of many.

[kevsbald]

Scary - your husband looks like my great Uncle Davy.