So... I did my first munro in 2 and a half years...

[sloosh]

Those with a long memory will remember I pranged the tendons in both legs through (a) stupidity (b) over tightening crampon straps. Long story short - it has taken two and a half years to heal (hopefully properly) and yesterday was my first (second and third) munro since the initial injury.

I opted for the Cairnwell 3 since it gave me many jumping off points if I felt things weren't going well - that, and you start off about two-thirds of the way up them anyway.

No point waffling on about this, that and the other since the Cairwell 3 are, well, 'non descript' to put it politely.

Having said that, here is a route map followed by a selection of photos...

Cairnwell 3.gpx Open full screen  NB: Walkhighlands is not responsible for the accuracy of gpx files in users posts

Snow blower

Scenic water feature

Caterpillar track

It's art I tell you

Road workers

More art

The Cairwell from Carn Aosda

Definitely art this time

Wee shed

Ptarmigan

Wee bird

Hare

"Don't you dare wear that hat around town," she said. Didn't say anything about posting pictures on the internet though... :)

Art for sure

Welcoming barbed wire bed in the shed on the Cairnwell

The rugged beauty of the Cairnwell

Apparently this building is alarmed with an intruder detection system. Intruders beware!

Just as pretty from this side

[laconic surf]

Had originally planned this trio for this weekend but the weather's too good to be hanging around on the Cairnwell
Some of those pictures look like buildings/vehicles on a minature village, some great arty stuff there.
Interesting to hear the building is alarmed, though I'd imagine it would take ATS a while to get up there and do anything about it
Congrats on getting back out there

[sloosh]

Some of those pictures look like buildings/vehicles on a minature village, some great arty stuff there.

Thanks. I'm glad someone agrees.

Interesting to hear the building is alarmed, though I'd imagine it would take ATS a while to get up there and do anything about it

That's what I thought although not sure you wouldn't do yourself some serious damage if you were nuts enough to break in.

Congrats on getting back out there

Thank you.

[gammy leg walker]

Well done that man,hope the tendons feel OK.

[Gavin99]

You must be delighted to be back on the hills , two and a half years waiting for things to heal must have been torture ! I hope your tendons aren't complaining too much after your trip , looking forward to a few more TR s

[sloosh]

Well done that man,hope the tendons feel OK.

You must be delighted to be back on the hills , two and a half years waiting for things to heal must have been torture ! I hope your tendons aren't complaining too much after your trip , looking forward to a few more TR s

Thanks chaps! Tendons feel fine - muscles... not so much. Thought I was sort of fit-ish, kind of, but yesterday was a reminder that the only way to get hill fit is by climbing hills.

[rockhopper]

Doesn't matter which hills you managed, point is you're back out again ! Well done and I hope all goes well from here on - cheers

[Graeme D]

When I was on the Cairnwell a few years back I stuck my head into that attractive looking shed at the summit and in amongst the debris scattered around on the floor was a turd! Most unpleasant!

Great to see you back out treading the hills Sloosh! May it not be as long until the next one! And I will try not to moan if I've not managed to get out for at least a month!

[skuk007]

Good to hear your back on the mend sloosh.

Nice set of photos, liking the lens-tilt effect.

[Stretch]

What an artistic return to the hills, glad you're able to get out and enjoy them again!

[sloosh]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone. Here's hoping there are plenty more trip reports to come.

[jonny616]

Glad your back out on the hills & in good shape to be back out soon. Great photos. Agree with the earlier comment about the 'miniatures'

[BoyVertiginous]

Great stuff, that's a helluva time out. Only this morning I was bemoaning the fact I had to knock back a game of football on Monday after 10 months out with an achilles problem and then an adductor muscle tear. That's a third of the time you've been out and for the last 6 months I've been able to walk, run or bike in a straight line (sideways movement restricted) and have been on the hills, so not the end of the world after all!

Hope it's all behind you. I'll be over the road on Glas Maol & Co this weekend all being well.

[gary.nimmo]

Well done on getting back out Sloosh. They may be less effort and less attractive than some other hills but they still have a lot of the elements needed to test your fitness (particularly the steep though short ascent/descent).
Here's to many more over the coming months!

[Alastair S]

A welcome return - hope those tendons behave.

Good use of tilt/shift on the photos - but best of all were the accompanying comments: great stuff