

Unfortunately MrsR does suffer badly with her back, so really any walking like this probably isn’t a good idea



One of my biggest challenges with hill walking (apart from any scary scrambling) is usually finding the start of the walk – or in this case the car park


Eventually arriving at the car park though, and kitting up, we were ready for the off. At this stage MrsR was all smiles and still looking forward to her day out on the hills

From my point of view the walking was straightforward, but I knew that for MrsR the day would present quite a challenge for her. We set off at a nice, leisurely pace up the good path at the back of the car park.
I took the opportunity early doors to indulge in a bit of arty photography, as a change from my usual mountain views.
It was a bit of a shame, but the weather on the day wasn’t particularly brilliant


At one point during the day the sun did look like it might actually break through, but any ideas of that happening were soon put to rest as the cloud rolled back in and normal service was resumed. A shame for MrsR I felt, as I would have loved for her to get the reward of some decent views as a reward for all her courageous efforts in getting to the top.
As we made our way up through the trees and eventually out into the open hillside MrsR was struck by just how quiet and peaceful everything was around us – in the clag



The walk up to the Loch a’ Choire was pretty straightforward, on a good path. But I knew MrsR was struggling with her back and her legs. We took the chance to take a short rest at the carved wooden seat just before the Lochan (at this point we couldn’t see the water, on account of the clag). I knew that from this point on things would get steeper, so perhaps it was a good thing we had the clag, so that MrsR’s spirits wouldn’t be hit by the sight of what she had to come

I’ve got to say that the steeper section up to the summit of Vrackie left me with mixed emotions. Incredible pride in MrsR for her resolve and stubborn determination to get to the top


There were lighter moments on the way up though.
The man heading back down the steep section near the top who suggested to MrsR there was another 5 miles to go





Then there was the stop for a bite to eat and MrsR’s introduction to the food of Kings – Malt Loaf



But, despite the pain (and the Malt Loaf incident) she made it to the summit




We spent a short while at the top, checking out the various hills we couldn’t see

The steep section (which had proved MrsR’s nemesis on the way up) seemed to be much easier for her in descent. Not that she was too chuffed as I was clicking away taking photies of her coming down

Eventually though we were back at the Lochan. Despite the @!$@ing numpties away somewhere on their b****y bikes the Lochan is a magical spot in the mist, with a real sense of isolation to it. Well worth another brief stop.
The path, as we arrived back at the Lochan, which MrsR had found easier on the way up, suddenly became torture for her on the way down






This was a tough day for MrsR, what with her back and all that. But she made it to the top and then she made it back down. On the final section of path she did feel able to announce to me that in future I’d be on my own for this walking malarkey




