A ridge too far perhaps - Tarmachan Torture!?
Posted: Fri May 04, 2018 6:58 pmSaturday started with fellow Walkhighlanders Polly & Theresa, we would run the Run Mhor 10k Hidden Glen route. This would be my 1st trail run event. Also present, but not participating, would be Fiona...designated photographer, and a job well done 
The race was hard for the first 5k as uphill, the last 5k a relief! It was a fantastic event which we all enjoyed 
Run Mhor
Fiona and I would be walking the Tarmachan Ridge after the Run Mhor event, well if I could get rid of my John Wayne gait
We would take in the ridge clockwise meaning a flat 6k walk in before ascending up to the ridge, this would give my legs a little stretch before the hard graft!
At around 3pm, with the sun shining we set off SW along a very good track...I was feeling good
A nice leisurely walk ensued, then a food stop before ascending pathlessly to the ridge proper.
This would be the hardest part of the walk, as per usual, and I did feel tired!
Ascending to the ridge.
Finally there, sporting a windswept look
Once on the ridge the route ahead East was easily identified, so off we went with smiles on our faces. Chocolate providing me with untold energy
Looking back
Some snow patches provided a platform for Fiona to revisit her youth
More snow, but easily dealt with
The next part of the ridge, just before Meall Garbh, provides a Grade 1 scramble. Good fun but over all too quickly!
Top of the scramble.
Further along the ridge we came across a little lochan, reminding us how great winter had been for walking the mountains
The Lochan - and chilling out
From the side
From the lochan it was an easy walk to the Munro summit of Meall Nan Tarmachan
Looking back
And finally we reached the summit, with no other person on the ridge....bliss
The wind was strong so we didn't hang about and made our way down the south face, with me slipping on my ass which got very wet...a source of amusement for Fiona
Feeling good we both ran the last 2k back to the car park, rounding off the traverse with a boost to our seratonin levels Tarmachan wasn't torturous at all, it was a lovely evening walk
A nice late evening walk in good comapny I must've impressed Fiona with my banter up in Assynt last month as she was up for more walks, or maybe she's just a tad mental...she is from Hawick after all
The race was hard for the first 5k as uphill, the last 5k a relief! It was a fantastic event which we all enjoyed Run Mhor
Fiona and I would be walking the Tarmachan Ridge after the Run Mhor event, well if I could get rid of my John Wayne gait
We would take in the ridge clockwise meaning a flat 6k walk in before ascending up to the ridge, this would give my legs a little stretch before the hard graft! At around 3pm, with the sun shining we set off SW along a very good track...I was feeling good
A nice leisurely walk ensued, then a food stop before ascending pathlessly to the ridge proper.
This would be the hardest part of the walk, as per usual, and I did feel tired!
Ascending to the ridge.
Finally there, sporting a windswept look
Once on the ridge the route ahead East was easily identified, so off we went with smiles on our faces. Chocolate providing me with untold energy
Looking back
Some snow patches provided a platform for Fiona to revisit her youth
More snow, but easily dealt with
The next part of the ridge, just before Meall Garbh, provides a Grade 1 scramble. Good fun but over all too quickly!
Top of the scramble.
Further along the ridge we came across a little lochan, reminding us how great winter had been for walking the mountains
The Lochan - and chilling out
From the side
From the lochan it was an easy walk to the Munro summit of Meall Nan Tarmachan
Looking back
And finally we reached the summit, with no other person on the ridge....bliss
The wind was strong so we didn't hang about and made our way down the south face, with me slipping on my ass which got very wet...a source of amusement for Fiona
Feeling good we both ran the last 2k back to the car park, rounding off the traverse with a boost to our seratonin levels
Tarmachan wasn't torturous at all, it was a lovely evening walk A nice late evening walk in good comapny
I must've impressed Fiona with my banter up in Assynt last month as she was up for more walks, or maybe she's just a tad mental...she is from Hawick after all