An Caisteal and Stobh Dubh with the kids

[matt_outandabout]

I haven't posted on here before, but thought I would share now as our lads stretch their legs. We are a family that paddle, bike and walk - and I have worked for many years in outdoor centres.

We had a late start - try rousing and organising three of your own and anther bonus lad at the end of the summer holidays... So we started at 11am. This was deliberately a 'bigger' 'rougher' day than some of our previous munro's, just to see how the lads took to it. This was the first Munro for our friends lad who came with us, for ours it was one of many a hill...

Already we knew the forecast was sun with showers, but the wind was due to be low, and it was too good a chance to miss. As we set off from Derrydaroch farm (lots of parking in layby on opposite side of the road), and headed up the rather useful new tracks for the hydro schemes that are going in. Taking the north track, we got to the penstock in double quick time and crossed the stream.
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr
Our route for the day:
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

Now the hour+ of hard work began, as we crossed bog and then steep, rough hill to get up to the top of Twistin Hill 'quickly', although not without effort.
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr


First lunch (no-one has only one lunch, do they?) was in the shelter of these rocks as the rain and wind kept barrelling through.
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

Soon the top of Twistin hill, and a nice path to ease sore muscles...
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

I took the decision that we should all don waterproofs, as I could see the next 'shower' may be something a bit more, and the wind was blustering around, so while we had a second 'lunch' in some shelter, we waterproofed up. Great views back down.
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

A couple of lovely scrambly bits for the lads to find a way through near top of Twistin hill
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

At this point, the rain really did kick in. It was August, and yet in the windchill felt near freezing...
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

A hop and a skip and we were at the top of An Casteal, in sideways rain.
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

Again, the executive decision was made by me to bail out of Beinn a'Chroin, it would wait another day with more time and less wet...

The ridge down to Stob Glas is a real rough, fun place to find your way around. Although hard work, the lads enjoyed the short scrambles, awkward route finding and airy views.
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

The youngest one was flagging a bit, and had been feeling the cold. A cuddle from mum sorted him
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

Soon the summit and a cracking view came into sight, as well as an abatement in the showers and wind...

An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

All that was left was a trundle down some more steep hill and bog, back to the hydro path.
An Caisteal by Matt Robinson, on Flickr

A cracking day out, showing me the lads are capable of pretty much any Munro this autumn and next year. We have plans....

[Petr Dakota]

Well done with the Kids
Nice to see you are walked - all family ...a sporty Family