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Since I moved back to Scotland last year after living in the south-east for 6 years and commuting to London every day I have really appreciated how beautiful Scotland is. I'm determined to see more of this wonderful country and have started to walk more. Just a few glen walks until my dad (76 years old and many munros under his belt - I'm encouraging him to complete his "munro map" as I'm sure he's nearly there) said that his school friend had climbed Mayar 48 times and wanted to reach 50 and they were off to do his 49th time. I thought I might not be fit but I'm sure my dad would look after me and his friend Mac could surely show us the way since he's been up it 48 times!
We set off driving up to Glen Doll in thick mist with a temp of 3C. I really thought we were crazy to get out of the car and really couldn't see the point in struggling up a mountain in the cold and not even see anything. Well we set off from the ranger station up through the forest saying hello to half a dozen prisoners who were out repairing drainage channels on the path. Gradually we climbed through the forest with my dad trying to convince us that the cloud was clearing, I wasn't convince then suddenly the Erne Craigs loomed above us with blue sky behind. It was really quite foreboding but dad and Mac assured me that our way up was not so steep. Once we cleared the forest and stood in the sun admiring the view up Corrie Fee we realised that we had climbed up through the cloud and the tops were clear. It really is a stunning view looking up to the waterfall and although the path is steep, like climbing stairs at some points, I recommend this route as the view to the waterfall pulls you up. Unfortunately as I took my camera out I realised that the battery was going down so only one picture until I had my photo of me and my dad on the top in the bag.
- Dad, Mac and Gem in front of Corrie Fee
After the steep climb up the side of the water fall there was a bit of a pull to the top but the views emerging before us of the mountains above the clouds kept me going. At the top the views to the south and west came in to view and were really spectacular. I guess the mountains above 2000 feet were visible with thick cloud covering the lowlands. I've managed a few photos but couldn't really do the views justice. I got my picture of my dad and I at the top, the first munro we've climbed together. The weather was amazing, not a breath of wind, from setting of in thick mist I was wishing I had put on a t-shirt as I was so warm sitting eating our pieces. I knew that my work colleagues wouldn't believe me when I went back to work the next day with a sun-tanned face when they had spent the day in thick grey cloud.
- Dad and I on the top
- View towards Mount Blair
- Temerature inversion at its best
- Cloud over Glen Doll
- Looking down Corrie Kilbo
After a good 20 minutes enjoying the sun and the views we headed back down to the Kilbo path. We weren't planning to climb Driesh, one was enough for me so we walked along the Shank of Drumfollow with Gem putting up a couple of ptarmigans and a few hares - too quick for her. All the time we were looking down to the cloud in the glens with the sun on our backs. We could hear the stags roaring all around us and eventually spotted a few herds and could see a big stag strutting around bellowing out. As we reached the forest we stopped for a quick energy boost (Mac always has Kendal Mint Cake with him!) before heading in to the shade of the forest and back in to the mist. Walking through the thick forest with the mist arround us the sound of the stags became quite eerie. Back down to the car and feeling really good at finishing my first munro in 27 years. I don't think I could have climbed Driesh as well but I felt good and this gives me confidence to keep walking and once I'm a bit fitter I may tackle a few more munros, maybe help my dad do his last few.
I though that Mayar was my second munro (I don't think the Cairnwell and Cairn Gorm from the chairlift when skiing counts!) I had climbed Ben Nevis when I was on an outward bound course at Loch Eil when I was at school. I'm quite proud that we went via Corrie Leis rather than the usual "tourist route". Well I've found my diary from then in the attic and in between the comments about the awful food and the guys I fancied I found that I have climbed another 2 munros! - maybe more but I gave up my diary after the first 10 days!
So that makes Mayar my 4th real munro and first in 27 years, what a spectacular way start to the rest. When reading the other reports I realise how lucky I've been to have glorious sun on top of a munro in October! Thanks to dad, Mac and Gem for getting me up and down safely.