A day in the Ochills

[Benaden887]

Friday 16th May. Jack's last Donald.
Question. Who are allegedley the two most experienced hill walkers in the KMC.? Who have done all the Munros, Corbetts, a wheen of Grahams and nearly all the Donalds?
So which one forgot his piece and which one forgot his boots? Yep Jack and Alan.
Undaunted we set off from the Sheriffmuir road with pooled pieces and a pair of Hush Puppies.
We were approaching the first summit, Blairdenon Hill, with all our gear on. Jackets, hats and gloves, when Jack announced his intention if he ever met the BBC weather forecaster, unprintable. The top was soon reached,
then on to Ben Cleuch, the highest of the day.
Coming off Ben Cleuch we spotted another group a mile or so ahead of us, they soon disapeared from view and then a stiff climb to King's Seat Hill followed. Another group was spotted as we came off the summit apparently going nowhere.
As we dropped down to the coll before Tarmangie Hill the first group was spotted on the slope up. We caught up with them, in improving weather, near the top. They turned out to be a group of school girls doing their Duke of Edinburough Award. They had map and compass but hadn't a clue how to use them and were about a mile off course. They were a nice bunch of kids and were in good spirits. We pointed them in the right direction and off they went with they're giant packs. We carried on to the top and then on to Innerdownie Hill, Jacksie's last Donald.
The car was soon reached and an eventfull, memorable, enjoyable day of 22.7 km and 5 Donalds was completed.
Along the way we found a Meadow Pipit's nest, spotted many Larks, a few Curlews, Buzzards and lots of Wheatears.
ps Big Al highly recommends Hush Puppies for the hills.