Ben Chonzzzzzzzzzie

[naepace]

Well what else would you expect from a Munro often described as boring, dull, bland, mundane, insipid, tedious........?


.....Quite a lot actually. Although Chonzie itself is nothing special the views it offered meant I thoroughly enjoyed my quick jaunt up and down.....and the 40 winks in the summit sunshine
I arrived at the small car park around 10am and was the only car there. The WH route description is spot on and you really can't go wrong. As you head up the Land Rover track it is true there is little to look at in front of you, however, once you've gained a bit of height a look behind you yields great views over the glen and to the Munros in the West.

First look at Ben Chonzie's flank


Over Glen Lednock to the West




As described about two thirds of the way up you leave the Land Rover track marked by a small cairn. I thought the path was quite distinct and not really boggy at all. From there it is a straight pull up the hill until you come to the rusty old fence posts which you can follow all the way to the summit. As you follow the posts you get great views of the Lawers Range and Schiehallion to the North. Although it was still blue skies and sunshine above me it was getting really windy & I was sincerely hoping that the summit shelter cairn I had read about would live up to its name. It did A little less than 2 hours after leaving the car park I settled down out of the wind and had some lunch with excellent views out over Loch Turret and Auchnafree hill.....And yes I may have had the tiniest wee nap

Loch Turret


NW to Ben Lawers from the summit


Lawers without the zoom


N to Schiehallion from the summit


After 45 mins or so I started my descent, the wind was certainly increasing as the blue skies turned grey. It was looking like I had caught the best of the weather. The Land Rover path is extremely rocky in places which didn't result in the best conditions underfoot for a quick return to the car with my ankles intact. However, I made it back in less than 90mins. This was only my third Munro and my first solo effort and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Don't listen to the bad press, it's a nice & easy Munro with some excellent views.........and for those of you who have read my other reports.....yes, of course you can see the Lomonds

My stalkers !

[haringit]

I did Chonzie over 10 years ago in october time. An overcast and bleak day but as I approached the top i'd to pass through a mass gathering of mountain hares. Must've been upto a few hundred anyway, all nonchalantly crossing in front of me like I wasn't there. It was like they were tranced or something. Got to be one of my top two most sureal hillwalking moments ever! Chonzie gets some bad press!

[naepace]

Never saw a hare all day ! They're the only positive thing I've heard said about the hill, if they are gone now......

[gmr82]

Hi naepace

Hope you enjoyed the snooze! My first munro, though it looked a little more bleak back in Nov. Don't think you can argue with the views from your photos - what a difference the sun makes! Only saw one hare, just before returning to the main track on the descent. First time in winter colours though so I was happy

[craighall]

I think, like yourself, Ben Chonzzzzzie doesn't often get a fair call, to which your great photos adequately testify.

I have a theory that this has a lot to do with snobbery, in that it is relatively close to major centres of population, and people like to boast about having been to relatively far away photos.

Thanks again for a great report & photographic record !


Michael.

[naepace]

Cheers Michael. I wish more Munros were closer ! I don't really have the time to spend 4/5 hours getting to start points. Those furthest away will need to wait until the kids are up and away.

[Fudgie]

I enjoyed this hill when I did it about 18 months ago and I certainly didn't find it boring. That might have been to do with the wild weather I experienced on the top and the (sometimes thigh) deep snow I was walking through

Saw quite a few hares though