Walkhighlands

I was driving up to Aberfeldy for a walking weekend and Christmas party when I decided the weather was too good just to drive straight up so I stopped off in Dunkeld to have a walk up this hill. I just followed the route up mentioned in so many of the reports, starting from the Cally carpark to the north of Dunkeld. The car park was like a curling rink when I set off and the track up to The Glack wasn't much better but I made reasonable time up past the Mill Dam and on to the easier walking of the track up towards the hill. I found the good path up to the summit (just after the sharp right bend - thanks for these reports) and reached the top easily but didn't linger because of the icy wind. So far so good. It was getting later on in the afternoon and everything was freezing up quickly. Then, one second i was walking, the next I had crashed to the hard ground, landing on my ribs. Having had broken ribs before, I knew immediately what had happened - the shock, the sharp pain, the difficulty taking a breath! How far was I from the car? I started the slow painful walk back. At one point, I collapsed to the ground. Fortunately, just at that point, two other walkers came by and helped me up and, each taking an arm, got me back to my car. I don't know what I would have done without these kind people. My thanks to them. Once back in the warmth of the car and a hot drink and some food inside me, I got myself to Perth A&E where my amateur diagnosis was confirmed by the professionals. No Christmas party in Aberfeldy for me, nor any exercise for a few months. maybe I should have driven straight to Aberfeldy!

Could have been worse - could have been your drinking arm in a sling over Christmas! Hope you are on the mend soon.

Ouch! What a shame....still you did get to the summit Maybe Santa will send an extra present to make up for the pain. Hope you'll be out and about before too long so we can have more of your TRs. Happy Christmas and Hogmanay

"Breathtaking report of the month"? Hope you're not in too much pain and you're soon mended, Rob.

Ouch. Having done my own ribs leaving a mountain bike in an unplanned fashion, I know how much it hurts. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

That was some walk out from Deuchary hill with broken ribs, hope you are back to the hills ASAP

Thanks for all the kind comments. Just goes to show that sometimes experience, planning and equipment count for nothing. One unfortunate foot placement ..... and bad injuries can happen. I was up the hospital in paisley on Tuesday and they say it'll be about 8 -10 weeks before I'm able to 'do things' again. I'll just have to enjoy the hills vicariously by reading the reports from others.

Ouch!!!!

A track I know really well as I'm on it twice a week over the winter and spring and it can be lethal at times.

Should be there again tomorrow morning, assume it will be a bit different a week on after the increase in temperature.

Feet up and look after yourself...............