Celebrating 250 in style – Ben Sgulaird

[Mountainlove]

With a plan to camp wild , followed by an easy hill walk the day after, I made my way towards Oban.
5 miles away from the city, I turned off the main road and crossed the bridge over towards Ben Sgulaird.

I turned into the single track road and started looking for a suitable place to camp. One would think on a 10 mile stretch of road there would be plenty of choices, but for the first time I struggled. The area between loch and road was minuscule and on the other side it was rising steeply into a dense forest. Once had driven around the whole loch I was getting worried, where on earth could I camp? Yes there were enough fields, but they were fenced off and occupied by farm animals. Driving around the loch again, this time in the other direction I notice a large lay by and something sparkly. I stopped and saw a decorated Christmas tree (strange for September) and a small path. Intrigued I got out of the car and found a magical place. A selection of chairs, a table, a path towards a burn laid out with rock, a barrel for rubbish and a perfect area for one tent on the waters edge. I smiled…that was perfect! Setting up my tent I looked around, it was nearly sunset time. With a beer in hand, Ben Sgulaird dipped in golden light I watched the sun go down and felt happy and the stress from work ebbed away.


The tree


My 'living room'


Room with a view


Path to the 'bathroom'


Golden lights on Beinn Sgulaird


Sunset over the loch

During the next morning I set off at 8:10 and arrived at the starting point a few minutes later. Two other women were getting ready and saying hello, I walked past and made my way up the mountain.
Ben Sgulaird might look easy, but in reality it’s a beast. The path starts with a great landrover track, which I had to leave within the first 5 min or so. From then onwards it was a never ending steep slope. The path itself is great, but it over numerous summits until I finally reached the cairn.


At the start


The path up


Views towards the sea from one of the many summits of the Munro


The one that got away


Portrait


Arty photo


Higher up


Another summit


The annoying deer ked (Lipoptena cervi)


250


Views before it cleared


A 'window' appeared




It was a special moment, as it marked my 250th Munro. I sat down withing the clouds away which had lingered during my climb.
Taking some photos I was getting cold and made my way down the mountain. Shortly after I left the summit I met the 2 women I met at the car park. Stopping for a chat, the question how many Munros we had done were thrown into the conversation.
Once I told then my number, they decided that they would not let me leave before we had taken a group celebration shot. I was amazed when they pulled fancy glasses and headbands out of their backpack. What a great idea
Giggeling we took a few photos and I had a great time. What otherwise would have passed quite un noticed turned out to be such a great memorable day- with cracking photos on top.



This is what happens when women climb a mountain



Saying my good byes I walked down the same path I walked up, with a smile on my face and a plan to buy some funny glasses.


The way back down




Looking back, the summit was covered in clouds again






The summits of Sgulaird

[xslawekx]

That's the way to have fun bagging them hills

Love the 'Arty' photo

[Cairngorm creeper]

Sounds like a god outing and fun as well. Enjoyed your report and photos, especially the sheep portraits. I like look the look of those glasses, they could catch on, do you think they would do instead of goggles

[Alteknacker]

You don't mention the best thing about Sgulaird - namely, the way it's pronounced!! My son was so tickled by this that he calls all hills with a vaguely Gaelic sounding name: Sgulaird. He sees it as a plot to make southerners sound silly when they try to pronounce Gaelic names...

It seems like it's a hill with a similar character from many sides. I remember only too well the endless false summits when approaching it from the Fhionnlaidh side; and others have commented on this also.

And an amazing little camping spot you found there....

250!!!! No, I'm sure I'm never going to get there - Suilven, Stac Pollaidh, multiple other characterful hills, and some repeats in Skye and Torridon are higher priority.... If only I could persuade the CEO of the delights of the Scottish climate....

[Mountainlove]

@Alteknacker: Ups should I really have listen to the way it is pronounced? Never thought about it. I had once thought to keep this hill as my last one, but I am glad now that I did not...never been a fan of blind summits...saying that I probably don't want my last one to finish
And you can get there!

@xslawekx: Thanks and yes I wish this would happen more often

@ Cairngorm creeper: Oh thats a great idea...it would make wild days out far more fun