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As we are planning some longer trips out and still getting used to camping we decided to wildcamp before ascending Schiehallion. We drove out past the mountain to the shores of Loch Rannoch but it was well populated with campsites along its length. We carried on out towards Rannoch Station and the Gaur Dam offered some handy carparking so we struck out round the southern banks of Loch Eigheagh until we found a flat spot that wasn't boggy.
IMAG0135 by
jon jen, on Flickr
It was an idyllic location and away from the campervans dotting the road on the other side. After setting up camp we attempted to light the disposable barbecue we bought. Nope. Forgot how rubbish these things are. After setting the flame from the stove on it for a few minutes we tried cooking sausages.
IMAG0139 by
jon jen, on Flickr
Much blowing and sausage maintenance ensued to no avail. We ended up cooking the sausages on the stove and never a disposable barbecue will be bought by us again. Waste of time and money.
We were in bed for 10pm. It was so silent that we had trouble falling asleep. I think we preferred our recent night in wind and rain but we dozed off eventually.
We were up at 7.30am and in no rush as we could see clag on all the hills around us. We dawdled in the hope it would burn off with the sun but Schiehallion was dosed in mist when we got there at 10.30. The car park was overflowing and groups were visible at all stages up the mountain.
We set off at a good pace surprised at the lack of water on the hill. We had limited water with us and we stopped for a cup of tea in thick clag at the large cairn before the boulders start. It was very windy and as many people seemed to be turning back here as were continuing on. Visibility was very poor. I felt over equipped as we watched people in shorts and t-shirts, some wearing running trainers carry on without any equipment at all. I was wishing I had an explorer map and not a landranger as I watched them disappear into the mist.
We carried on in the hope things would clear. The boulder field was tiresome without it's compensatory views. 15m of rocks all around does not a fun day make. Eventually we got to the top with visibility down to about 10m. We set up the stove and made a cuppa out of some handy snow and had some rolls and chocolate. We hung around for a while hoping things would improve but no luck.
IMAG0144 by
jon jen, on Flickr
We set off back down and the clag had moved a little higher. Enough that we got a view of Loch Tummel on the way down.
IMAG0145 by
jon jen, on Flickr
With disappointment at the lack of views we had a look at the map for anything of interest nearby. Noticing the waterfalls we split off the main track to the right and after a bit of heather bashing and much bog trotting we linked up with a Land Rover track that took us part way to the river. The waterfalls were not that impressive but it was a lovely spot for another cup of tea and a biscuit. The sun was shining now and I was tempted to jump in this channel for a swim, it's about 6 feet deep. Lack of a towel tempered my nerve though.
IMAG0147 by
jon jen, on Flickr
There were some lovely rock formations further down the gorge.
IMAG0148 by
jon jen, on Flickr
We set off back to the carpark following the deer fence until we linked up with the main path off the Hill. By this time Schiehallion was resplendent in a crown of blue sky and fluffy white clouds.
IMAG0155 by
jon jen, on Flickr
That's the second munro in a week where this has happened. Hopefully our third will grace us with some kind of view. Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime beckon on Monday.