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So after a welcome offer of a lift from Monty there i was up at the crack of dawn 5am and all packed up and ready to ship out. He arrived bang on time and we were off and first ones in the car park at around 7am.
I got all booted up and we set off up the path and over the railway track. We quickly left the track as it headed off in the wrong direction. We croassed the burn and headed off up the heather and mud clad slopes towards Geal-Charn, very shortly my state of fitness was showing and i stopped for a quick drink of water and to pop my gaitors on, Monty carried on as he had 2 more Munro's to climb than myself. Boy can that man walk!!! he doesnt climb the Mountains so much as walk straight through them hahaha.
I carried on labouring up the slope the heather and mud having taken abit of its toll on me
- The view down the path up.
I climbed up and up feeling my energy draining when yes finally iv made it the cairn is right here, quick few pics and grab a seat for a cuppa, then just as i open my bag and grab my thermos i look over my shoulder and hmmmm wait a minute whats that!!!!!!! oh turd theres the summit another 1km uphill. Ok then thermos back in the bag and carry on no cuppa for me yet haha. I make it up and finally get my cuppa ahhhhhh.
- Me at the summit of Geal-Charn and A'Mharconaich behind
- Looking towards Loch Ericht
I meet another walk up here who caught me up and we take pics for each other, and i carry on towards the next summit of the day A'Mharconaich decending to the bealach and take a wonder along the path for abit past the slope i need to climb, just to kill a little time and see some sights
eventually tearing myself away and turning back towards the slope up A'Mharconaich, i steadily start to make my way up. My legs are burning and I feel as if iv no energy left to give and my legs are just plodding on themselves. Dam really should have grabbed breakfast!!!! After what feels like forever i get there and stop for lunch.
While i'm having lunch and notice something sticking out of the toe of my boot, hmmm whats that?!! turns out its the sole of my boot split and coming away!!! ahhhhhhhh ffffffff darn! So after much cursing this Munro and stropping I pack myself back up and prepare for the descent. oops almost forgot the summit pic, ah well quick u turn and few steps back, im sure i'll manage with gloves on!! turns out i messed it up!!
- A'Mharconaich summit with gloved fingers doh
I start descending the fairly steep slope, and my legs are loving it not having to pull me upwards now
- The path down!
I carried on down the summit at a nice leasurely stroll pace, passing lots of pools of water with randy little frogs getting busy! and trudge through the boggy ground back towards the car, turning to take a pic of the summmits of the day.
- The two summits of the day
I get back to Monty's car and get changed and have a drink
About 20 mins later Monty strolls into the car park!! eh 20 mins, i know i was going slow but 20 mins for 10km more hahaha he is a walking machine!!!
Good day was had all round though, despite by busted boots and learning curve about making sure i get a good breakfast first.