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Having to admit to the fact i'd not get back out in a while and mention from Dave he fancied heading to do Ben Lawers got me browsing through WH to look at more options. Along with Martin 'Mears' we decided to make a weekend for it. Dave had booked into Cruachan Farm Campsite with his caravan,so we decided to brave it and get the tents out !!
Maybe this weekend would be the end of us !!
With the forecast for the weekend looking good,70-90% cloud free Munros,we set off for Glen Lyon at 6am on Saturday to meet Dave. We drove over the single track road from Killin to Bridge of Balgie passing two frosted tents at different locations,is this what we had let ourselves in for??
We parked at the carpark next to the telephone box and waited for Dave. While we were waiting a couple pulled up in their Landrover,it belonged to the owners of one of the tents we'd seen,so it was good to see it was survivable out there
Sure the mans name was Tom and he'd traveled down from Aberdeen. Dave turned up followed by two of his mates Scott and Mark( sure it was Mark).
After the introductions and banter our group of 5 headed off................right up the driveway of some poor persons house !!! To busy talking,not even looking for the high gate that gave access to the hill. Looks like it'd be interesting trying to navigate round 4 Munros
Take Two...........through the GATE and onto the track that leads till your almost out the tree line,crossing over the wee bridge heading into the open. Blue sky all around,this was surely the best weather we've had so far at the start of a walk. There was even some heat in that strange yellow thing in the sky. As we climbed the views behind us opened up.
The views onwards wern't to shabby either. The higher we climbed the dusting of fresh snow brought a change to the landscape.
It seemed a bit of a slog upto the first summit,my previous sore back had returned with every step and the thought of chucking it did cross my mind for a wee second. But once at the summit of Carn Gorm made it worth it.
After a wee drink and some pictures we headed on towards Meall Garbh,which we could see from where we were which was strange, as we're usually surrounded by Clag !!
Target 2.In the distance.
Looking back at Carn Gorm
Onwards,following the weather beaten fence line,over the boulder strewen hill to Meall Garbh summit.
Off we headed to target 3,Carn Mairg. Enjoying the views en route turning right at the cairn to head along the broad ridge. A great section to walk. Eventually making it to the Summit. Scott and Mark had opened up a lead,so by time we got there they were off the summit hiding out the way of the wind.
We headed off the summit to join the others for a wee bit of lunch,before heading down the steep descent onto target 4, Creag Mhor.
We arrived at the final summit in no time
Which was a bit of a relief.
We just got a summit snap and headed off the hill,a snow shower was not to far away.
When i say headed off the hill,we didn't follow the WH route,due to not looking at map and just following a track!! A look at the GPS ment we had headed aling the next kind od ridge instead of dropping down and through the glen.
So it was a case of cutting down the hill,across the glen to find the WH track. We all kinda spread over the hillside choosing our own route,myself and Martin getting to the propper track,Dave and Mark went lower and Scott headed straight down to the road.
Off the track.
On the track,looking back up the glen
On his ass
By this time,the knees were telling us they'd had enough,as the diverted descent had taken its toll. The path back to the car was a welcome sight. We met Dave and Mark as we came off the hill,everyone was knackered. Scott was waiting at the carpark,in fact....for 20 minutes !!! After celebrating our quest for the day at the carpark,we headed off. Scott and Mark home,Dave to his Caravan and us to set up out tents at the Cruachan Farm campsite.
Home sweet home for the night. We had the sense to get the tents up before starting on the cider
A few cans,some food,a shower and a visit to see Dave in his
heated caravan before sleeping bag time.
The sky was clear and the stars bright,looked like it'd be a cold one,it was!!
Cosy enough in the sleeping bag but anything outside had the potential to freeze and drop off !!!
Clear skys again in the morning and i'm sure our tents were red when we pitched them,they looked kinda white. A coffee was the first call,followed by a walk to Dave's for a full cooked breakfast...........get in !!! He must of felt sorry for us
Fueled up and ready(ish) for Sundays quest, Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers. We packed away out frozen tents,picked up Dave and headed for the start point. There were a few cars there already so we pulled up next to someone getting ready to hit the hills. Turned out to be John who also uses WH for info. The three of us headed off,saying goodby to John and headed up through the nature reserve to the gate onto the hillside.
By this time,the prevoious days walk combined with lack of sleep and a few refreshments was taking its toll. The thighs were burning with every step and this is before the real walking started !! John was soon behind us and as we stopped for a cotume change he had caught up. After another chat we all headed up towards Beinn Ghlas,we had adopted John for the day...........or should i say he adopted us!!
We dragged ourselves up to the summit with John looking on and listening to out moaning with every stride
From here it was onto Ben Lawers,the final for the weekend
Back at Ghlas
The hill looked a bit daunting,but the zig zag path takes out the worst of the ascent. Nearing the top
At the top
That was it,all done. Just a case of getting off the hill. We folled to lower path back to the Nature Reserve,showers of snow came and went but brightened up again just as fast,making a great gentle walk back to the car.
We had a fantastic weekend,from the hills to the camping. Meeting new people and waether that made it that bit more enjoyable.
Good times. Thanks to all who made this a great weekend.
Oh John. If your son looks up Cowal Summit Baggers on facebook,you'll find us there.
