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Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)


Postby epmallon » Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:11 pm

Route description: Ben Challum, near Tyndrum

Date walked: 14/07/2012

Distance: 11.5 km

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After all the recent rain it was good to get back on the hills under dry skies, although it was rather wet underfoot. We decided on Ben Challum a relatively simple hill to walk up according to the books. On my previous two walks prior to this one the first being on the Cobbler my wife slipped on the path coming down and rolled down the hill for a short distance and smacked her head of a rock resulting in a black eye, bruised nose and a scraped face (I do have witnesses, as it can be quite embarrassing walking down the street with your wife and when people see her face bruised they immediately turn and give you funny looks), and on the second one we had just completed our walk when we came upon a walker lying unconscious on the ground and his haversack lying beside him, and a 2 litre bottle of irn bru which was a quarter full nearby. When we approached him he had a split head and a nasty cut on his hand and his knees were all grazed. We managed to get him conscious and it became apparent he was blootered (drunk), his irn bru bottle had been full of vodka so we phoned for an ambulance as he was obviously in need of medical care. We didn’t have to wait to long for the ambulance to arrive and once he was in their care we went on our way. We don’t know how he ended up there or why but he didn’t look like a guy who was a heavy drinker (trouble in the hoose?). So after these walks we were looking forward to a normal day on the hills or so we thought, more of that later. No problem parking at layby across from Kirkton Farm entrance and a straight forward walk from there
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Old cemetry after Kirkton farm with Cruach Ardrain in the background
through Kirkton farm up to the railway line and then crossing via the bridge and it was just after this we found there was no obvious path to follow up the hill (we may have missed it) so we zig zaged our way up avoiding as much as we could the boggy areas and then crossing the fences using the ladders
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Cruach Ardrain
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Trying to avoid the boggy areas
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Looking over to Ben Lui
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Ben More, Stob Binnein and Cruach Ardrain
. Finally reaching the start of the pull up to the south top
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Heading up to the south top
we were rewarded with clear panoramic visibility all around.
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Crianlarich Hills
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We stopped on the south top for a breather before heading over to Ben Challum top and during our conversation I mentioned that we hadn’t had any drama or mishaps today and one of my companions replied” the days not over yet” and laughed. Having rested we pushed on and at this point we noticed another group of walkers who were half way up the last part of the Ben (later found out they were on their way down) standing in a group looking at the ground. Then we noticed the helicopter from HMS Gannet flying straight towards us
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HMS Gannet
and then slowing down just over our heads and it was obvious they were looking for someone so we pointed over to the other party and they were soon hovering over them.
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Lowering a crew member down
When they reached them they lowered one of the crew down to attend to the injured person. To watch a mountain rescue unfold before your eyes is gripping. I will let the following pictures and video tell the rest of the rescue story.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5sEmpxl7Nk After the helicopter flew off to take the patient to hospital I enquired with his friends to what had happened, he had an artificial knee cap and was on his way down from the top when he stumbled over a rock and his knee cap popped out (ouch sounds painful), I also noticed his friends had been taking photos and possibly videos on their phones and cameras so I didn’t feel so bad filming it myself ( I did inform one of the party I hope they didn’t mind that I had been filming the whole incident and they were ok about it). Well after all the excitement we carried onto the top where we had a bite to eat and took in the wonderful views towards Ben Nevis, Ben Lui, Ben Cruachan, Ben Lawers and the Crianlarich hills.
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View back towards the south top
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Ben Lui & Ben Cruachan away in the distance
Hopefully on my next walk the only thing I will be talking about will be the fellowship of my companions and the walk itself.
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby audreywaugh » Wed Jul 18, 2012 9:57 pm

We were in Tyndrum at the campsite on Saturday and saw the helicopter flying overhead, glad to know it wasn't a fatality. Nice photos! :D
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Stretch » Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:01 pm

Wow, despite the unfortunate circumstances, that is a great video and shows the fine work of mountain rescue. I hope the walker's knee heals quickly and that he gets back out on the hills again soon.

You have some flair for the dramatic don't you! Who knows what you'll encounter on your next walk!
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Scotjamie » Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:15 pm

Agree with Stretch - almost newsreel drama on things we hope not to see. Well reported!...but do let us know when and where you are next out on the hills............... :wink:
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Bod » Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:28 pm

It is tremendous the emergency services that we have in this country, something we should never take for granted! So happy all worked out safely and the casulty was quickly delivered to hospital :D
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby gammy leg walker » Wed Jul 18, 2012 10:34 pm

Brilliant video,we are so luck to have people like this in our country,the saying goes"there but for the grace of god"
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Gable Gable End » Wed Jul 18, 2012 11:34 pm

a Fine rescue job; I don't know what I would have done without the service back in February!

@epmallon: make sure you keep an eye out for the falling anvils and ACME products on your next walk.....
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Fudgie » Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:17 am

I was on Ben Starav on Satuday and watched a helicopter like that fly from where you were right up Glencoe but I didn't see where it ended up. If it was the same one then it's good to know it wasn't anything too serious.
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby monarchming » Thu Jul 19, 2012 9:54 am

Excellent clip of the rescue and to think that in a while it won't HMS Gannet or the RAF that will be getting used.Most people in Prestwick think that this will finish the base at HMS Gannet for good. I hope in future you get a "normal" day on the hills! :lol:
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Graeme D » Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:44 am

Great piece of reporting on mountain drama. Just one question though - you're not attending the forthcoming Braemar meet are you????? :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :shock: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby epmallon » Thu Jul 19, 2012 10:55 am

I'm beginning to get the feeling people will be avoiding me on the hills, they do say things come in threes so hopefully thats that. :crazy:
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby old danensian » Fri Jul 20, 2012 2:44 pm

Thanks for providing the report - I was over on neighbouring Sgiath Chuil watching the helicopter come in and out for what seemed ages and hoping that the situation didn't have a sad ending.

OD
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Collaciotach » Sat Jul 21, 2012 12:59 pm

Here im keeping out of your road haha ... good report :D
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Johnny Corbett » Sat Jul 21, 2012 1:23 pm

Scotjamie wrote:Agree with Stretch - almost newsreel drama on things we hope not to see. Well reported!...but do let us know when and where you are next out on the hills............... :wink:

Here, here. Never a dull moment when you're out, the drunk guy wasn't my mate Jimmy Craghopper was it? :lol:
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Re: Ben Challum (Drama on the hills)

Postby Stuart Angus » Sun Jul 22, 2012 1:03 pm

High drama eh, very cool video & pics of the chopper 8)
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