Ben Challum

[mr_ash_37]

The week leading up to our walk was a beauty....typical first day off that suited us all and the weather changed! Hey ho we were all very keen to get out so we decided to still go for it and leave earlier in an attempt to catch the best of the day.

Up at 515 am final prep done and away by 615am, pick up in Glasgow and away by 745am.

We arrived at the layby and were off by 910am.

A cracking road into and past the farm and you can see a faint path hugging the side of the trees, so we proceeded as suggested in the WH route. Steep start and I was pleased to see not as boggy as expected, in fact on the way up it was relatively dry underfoot, only a couple of well chosen foot steps were required. We hugged the fence all the way up.

The cloud was very low however the temperature was nice.

Stopped off at a lovely long burn with several little waterfalls at the first plateau.

The cloud did keep clearing ever so slightly as we continued our ascent however we finally caught up with it at the turn off from the final fence, where you cross the style and walk a little distance until you find the old fence posts. As described on WH route follow these all the way to the first cairn, so simple and a cracking path all the way up.

Wind was up at the first cairn and very thick cloud however followed the route as described on here and found the ridge....wow it was fab, small but fun. Descending as suggested and then a small hike up and your at the large summit cairn. Nice one shame we had no view.

Weather was closing in so we decided to head back to start of ridge for lunch as it was sheltered.

En route heard two Ptarmigan calling each other, was wonderful to listen to them and then we saw one of them. Looking fab white breast, brown back and a lovely red spot.

Rain began at lunch so we did not hang about and started the descent via same route. Wet underfoot but still not too bad.

Cracking day, with good company.