First Munro
Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 9:57 pmOk I know Schiehallion has got a bad press in some of the walk reports. But it suited us just fine for our first Munro. A well marked path and no worrying navigating. So after consulting the link on WH to the weather forecast and finding a near as perfect as we could get, we decided to go for it. Another trip to Tiso (Doh! Kerching kerching) for some bits and bobs, another Explorer Map, that brings our collection to two, a first aid kit and survival bag (you can never be too sure of the weather forecast). I’m sure the salesman in there rubs his hands when he see’s me darken his door! We are almost on first name terms.
So after a fitful night considering all the potential problems – Midges, bad weather, blisters, not enough water, too much water? Vertigo etc etc etc. I had visions of me being helped to the car park sobbing within the first 500 yards by the local Cub Scouts or Moutain Rescue. We set off from Perth and arrived ready to go at 09.00, after eating a pasta/chicken breakfast in the car. We hoped our new kit wouldn’t make us too obvious but time to man up and step up – literally.
The weather was perfect, a high cloud base so we could see the summit, sunny spells and a brisk cooling, sometimes chilly wind with good visibility. Ok some folk seem a bit blasé about this hill, but to us, this is the real deal, a real adventure.
I must say, what a fantastic job the Muir Trust have made of the path, respect to the people who built it. It made some of the steeper sections a lot easier.
We were walking up and heard something akin to a pig snorting in vibrato, then a little black bird popped out onto the path, followed by its mate. We thought it might have been on a nest so we carefully stepped off the path and gave it a wide berth. I’m sure i am going to be inundated by all the experienced hill goers who will inform me what we were looking at.
I suggested we take it easy on the way up as I wanted to turn around from the path to admire the views and make the most of the photo opportunities. Or in other words I wanted plenty of rest stops! LOL. The path at times is quite steep, but our slowly but surely pace gradually eat the distance up to the boulders. I wasn’t looking forward to this but it made a nice change and the going seemed to be a little easier.
As we approached the first Cairn snapping away, I learnt a very valuable lesson – always charge your camera! Doh!
Luckily I had my phone with integral camera, Phew! I don’t I would have survived the day without summit photo’s. 
Well we made it to the top and what views!!!!!. After the summit photos, we found a small safe ledge facing south out of the wind and settled down for coffee and sandwiches in the sun. Although we wasn’t bothered about times as the aim for the day was an enjoyable safe walk, but we were both surprised to see we had made the top in less than two hours. We enjoyed the sun and vittals for about 40 minutes then reluctantly set off back down.
It was easier to see the best route in the boulders going down and we took a route closer to the ridge on the right. As it was about 12.45 when we set off going down we met a lot more folk coming up. Most of them had a smile and a quick Hello as we passed. It was interesting to see how many young, really young children there were coming up. Better for them than computer games out in the fresh air. Mind you, there was a Father racing up the boulders with his daughter on his shoulders!!, he was obviously a lot more sure of his footing than I was!
We dawdled down through the boulders and down the path trying to make the day last, eking out every last drop of the experience, until at last, we arrived at the car park at about 14.30. One little thing to mention, that the toilets were not there , even though on the board it does say they are there in summer. Is June not summer?. What with so many women and children on the hill I would have thought some provision would be made, even just a portaloo. Dare I suggest they increase the car park charge to cover it. £2 for a day out these days is nothing, I would have paid a fiver. Anyway that’s just my opinion from an old git with crossed legs at the end of the day..
I didn’t realise how tired I was until I tried to fold myself up to get into the car. Even the drive back to Perth through Aberfeldy rammed it home to us how lucky we are to live in Scotland and we started discussing which route is next. Any suggestions for two newbies?
So after a fitful night considering all the potential problems – Midges, bad weather, blisters, not enough water, too much water? Vertigo etc etc etc. I had visions of me being helped to the car park sobbing within the first 500 yards by the local Cub Scouts or Moutain Rescue. We set off from Perth and arrived ready to go at 09.00, after eating a pasta/chicken breakfast in the car. We hoped our new kit wouldn’t make us too obvious but time to man up and step up – literally.
The weather was perfect, a high cloud base so we could see the summit, sunny spells and a brisk cooling, sometimes chilly wind with good visibility. Ok some folk seem a bit blasé about this hill, but to us, this is the real deal, a real adventure.
- Oooer! Have we bitten off more than we can chew?
I must say, what a fantastic job the Muir Trust have made of the path, respect to the people who built it. It made some of the steeper sections a lot easier.
We were walking up and heard something akin to a pig snorting in vibrato, then a little black bird popped out onto the path, followed by its mate. We thought it might have been on a nest so we carefully stepped off the path and gave it a wide berth. I’m sure i am going to be inundated by all the experienced hill goers who will inform me what we were looking at.
- Ok you Birders, tell me what it is.
I suggested we take it easy on the way up as I wanted to turn around from the path to admire the views and make the most of the photo opportunities. Or in other words I wanted plenty of rest stops! LOL. The path at times is quite steep, but our slowly but surely pace gradually eat the distance up to the boulders. I wasn’t looking forward to this but it made a nice change and the going seemed to be a little easier.
As we approached the first Cairn snapping away, I learnt a very valuable lesson – always charge your camera! Doh!
Luckily I had my phone with integral camera, Phew! I don’t I would have survived the day without summit photo’s. Well we made it to the top and what views!!!!!. After the summit photos, we found a small safe ledge facing south out of the wind and settled down for coffee and sandwiches in the sun. Although we wasn’t bothered about times as the aim for the day was an enjoyable safe walk, but we were both surprised to see we had made the top in less than two hours. We enjoyed the sun and vittals for about 40 minutes then reluctantly set off back down.
- Yours truly at the top.
- What a spectacular spot to eat lunch and enjoy the heat of the sun.
It was easier to see the best route in the boulders going down and we took a route closer to the ridge on the right. As it was about 12.45 when we set off going down we met a lot more folk coming up. Most of them had a smile and a quick Hello as we passed. It was interesting to see how many young, really young children there were coming up. Better for them than computer games out in the fresh air. Mind you, there was a Father racing up the boulders with his daughter on his shoulders!!, he was obviously a lot more sure of his footing than I was!
- Great visibility
We dawdled down through the boulders and down the path trying to make the day last, eking out every last drop of the experience, until at last, we arrived at the car park at about 14.30. One little thing to mention, that the toilets were not there , even though on the board it does say they are there in summer. Is June not summer?. What with so many women and children on the hill I would have thought some provision would be made, even just a portaloo. Dare I suggest they increase the car park charge to cover it. £2 for a day out these days is nothing, I would have paid a fiver. Anyway that’s just my opinion from an old git with crossed legs at the end of the day..
I didn’t realise how tired I was until I tried to fold myself up to get into the car. Even the drive back to Perth through Aberfeldy rammed it home to us how lucky we are to live in Scotland and we started discussing which route is next. Any suggestions for two newbies?
