I have had these hills on my radar for some time now and today seemed the perfect time to tackle them. First day of my holidays and the weather was to be perfect.
I decided to get up early and try and catch the sunrise as it promised to be a good one with a little cloud but mainly clear skies. I arrived at the turn off to Trinafour at around 07.00am and promptly got ready for the bike and hike ahead. Crossing the A9 would be the most dangerous part of the day (or so I thought at the time) so I took care and time and pushed the bike across watching the yellow and pinks arrive in the sky behind Ben Vrackie. It was stunning.
- sunrise over Ben Vrackie
After a short cycle I was out of the forest and heading up beside the River Edendon. The colours in the sky were fantastic – today was going to be one of those days in the hills that live long in the memory!!!
Heading along the track the sky was lighting up with colours changing all the time – I couldn’t keep my eyes off it!! That was where it all went a bit wrong – gazing skywards and THWACK, THUD , SMASH – my wheel had caught a raised piece of turf in the middle of the track on a down hill section!!! It all seemed to go in slow mo!! I could see I was going to fall – no doubt about it - but could I land some where soft – answer – no. My arm went down and my elbow broke the fall as I rolled onto my back – glad I was wearing my helmet. I lay motionless.
I was aware my elbow had taken a crack – so I lay and waited for some sort of shooting – terrible pain- nothing. 30 seconds passed and I eventually hauled myself up. A bit shaken, I thought it was not too bad so decided to push on.
In any event I was not too far from the lodge where I would leave my bike and head up the hill on foot (not needing my elbow for that!!). There was some discomfort on the final leg on the bike. However I thought once I was up and away on the hill then the arm would get better in time for the cycle home!!!!
- the hills
Anyway heading up A’Chaoirnich first and the noise of the stag rutting was echoing all around. I have never seen so many deer (glad I used hill phone night before!!). I can understand why stalking take place in October – the amount of deer I “stumbled upon” was unbelievable – they definitely seem more interested in each other than us at this time of year!!!
Anyway back to walking – the pull up to the summit plateaux was not too bad and I headed to both summits – the larger cairn being at the second highest point!!! Views were fantastic looking down toward Schiehallion and Farragon hill and west toward Glen Lyon. Elbow was a little sore so I decided to take some Ibuprofen.
- first summit
I was supporting my sore arm utilising the waist belt of my rucksack which had been fine. However you don’t realise how much you rely on both hands and arms for balance. I found this out whilst descending off A’ Chaoirnich. It was very steep and I would recommend heading off towards the north east of the hill towards Gaick as further north and west it was even steeper!!!
- Gaick Forest
The hike up An Dun was relentless and steep and my elbow was now protesting a lot. Had I actually done some serious damage!! I was starting to question myself now – time for more Ibuprofen.
The skies were clear and visibility superb and this certainly helped keep my mind off my sore arm. Back to bike now.
I reached the bike around 12.45 and as soon as I tried to get on the bike I realised my arm was not good. The pain shot straight through my lower arm and elbow as soon as I put any weight on it – i.e. holding the handle bars and getting on the bike!!
To cut a long story short – a very painful cycle back to the car – then a drive (in extreme pain to hospital). Spent 4 hrs in A and E eventually getting X rayed. Broken Radial head apparently. Spent next morning in fractures clinic getting a plan sorted – doesn’t look like I’ll be doing much exercise for a few weeks!!
However – even given the pain – the walk and weather was superb – and it’ll definitely be a day which will last long in the memory for both good and bad reasons!!!!!!!
