My first Munro
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:31 pmA 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
