A Good Friday

[JohnJS]

What a great day. Start of the holidays and a quick jump to the top of Ben Vrackie seemed a good way to begin.

Time to resurrect the boots and bag for this years walking, a dreich plowter up at Lochearnhead just after New Year doesn't really count, I don't think.

I'd risen not too early and this saw me arrive at the wee car park at 9 o'clock.

The still frozen ground underneath made for easy going and I'd soon reached the two memorial benches one of which was marked with a wry wee comment that made me smile. First walk of the year and I was ready for a seat.

I soon reached the wee loch too and walked over the path to the bottom of very snowy slopes that led very enticingly up to the summit. It was still pretty cold and apart from the odd chuckle of a grouse there was nothing to see but deep deep snow and the path zigzagging up. Heavy going but absolutely worth it on getting to the top. A couple of guys with dogs were sledging up there and with the sun coming out the blue sky just set the views off better than I've seen in a long time. Wee Ben Vrackie had turned into a mini mountain for the day. And one without wind too, Beinn a Ghlo looking perfect from the top

It being easter it was a boiled egg for lunch then a hot cross bun before scooting down to the bottom of the snowy section and the unavoidable smugness of returning when everyone else is just getting redfaced and exhausted on the climb up. We all have our cross to bear though. Lower down the clouds closed in a bit and it felt like I'd had the best of the day.

A good start to the year and although I've been up and down this wee hill many times over the years today was one to remember.

[wilkiemurray]

Nice report - vrackie was my first hill of year too

[naepace]

Nice pics. I really want to do Ben Vrackie...when its a tad greener !