free to be able to rate and comment on reports (as well as access 1:25000 mapping).
This is my first real attempt at one of my walk posts
. I’ve only been walking and using this site for a few weeks now, which may I add is a great site for not only sharing experiences, but also a fantastic site for gaining knowledge on pros and cons of walks that others have both attempted and completed
.
Thanks goes to Jockstar for getting me into the Munro bug, I’ve soon found out each one gives you a real buzz and quickly becomes a challenge and fantastic addiction
.
Well here goes for my report ……
Jockstar and myself were planning which Munros to walk for the forthcoming weekend, when Stretch and Jockstar made contact and decided we should all meet up along with Gammy Leg Walker and his two Spaniels (the guys had all previously met at the Glencoe meet the previous week, unfortunately I had missed out on that weekend).
It was a great opportunity for me to meet the rest of the guys and it was decided we were going to walk Beinn Narnain and Beinn Ime.
We arranged to meet Stretch at 6:45am on the Sunday in Perth (unfortunately after a bit of a late start we met up about 7:30am, due to myself doing 2 long walks the previous day with Jockstar, my legs did not want to wake up on the Sunday, I will get fit soon with all this walking
, sorry for late start guys!). We would then meet up with Gammy Leg Walker in the car park at the bottom of the start of the walk at Loch Long. Stretch and Gammy Leg Walker seemed like two really nice guys, who would later be a great support to me along with Jockstar.
After introducing ourselves in the car park we were soon on our way up the stream through the forrest, bit hard going as a warm up, but taking a look back across Loch Long and Ben Lomond soon put a quick step in our stride (after stopping for a few photo opportunities, not to be missed).
- View to Loch Long
- Jockstar starting the climb
- suhowfar warming up at the start of the walk
- Loch long
- Sretch & Gammy Leg Walker setting the pace
- Sunshine on the way up
- Small cave spotted on the way
- Stunning views! Looks ready to roll, hope not !!!
- Jockstar, Stretch & Gammy Leg Walker (with Doggies) taking in the views
- Cobbler
- Are we really going up there guys, suhowfar asks!
It was then I realised what the guys meant by ‘scramble’ as we reached a few scrambles (which I would later learn were ‘a walk in the park’ for what was ahead of us!) The look on my face must have spoken volumes
. I heard them all reassuring me, but also saying these were a small taster of the walk ahead!!! Bit worried now but looking forward to the challenge and knew I was with a good bunch of guys (and 2 doggies) that would help me to complete it and get back safely.
- Well on our way up now, or so Su thought!!
We eventually came to a flat piece with fantastic views, which I had described to me as “the Spearhead and Cobbler” ‘wow’ what stunning views, I had never seen anything so breathtaking. I then realised we were going up another scramble! I know now what Stretch and Gammy Leg Walker were saying about Jockstar when they earlier referred to the look on Jockstar’s face as ‘the scramble fever look’ his eyes lit up when he started the ascent
What I thought was the last part to reach the summit was the worst for me as I am not too good at all with heights, and this was a thin gully we had to climb our way up, which was slippery with the ice.
- OMG Guys you want Su to go up there!!!Eeek
- Come on Mrs Jockstar (aka suhowfar) you can make it up here calls out Mr Jockstar, Stretch & Gammy Leg Walker..
Thanks to all you guys for helping me up there, to Gammy Leg Walker for guiding me safely through to avoid the ice, Jockstar for pushing me up onto ledges and guiding me and especially Stretch for reaching out and taking my shaking hand and pulling my up the last part
.
As it turned out the last part was although fairly rocky was flat, great relief to me!
- The guys leading the way to the summit
- Gammy Leg Walker, Stretch & Jockstar at the summit (& Doggies)
- Gammy Leg Walker, Suhowfar & Stretch at the summit with Doggies
- Mr & Mrs (aka suhowfar) Jockstar at the summit
It was all worth it when we reached the summit, I was over come with joy, what an achievement by us all
. I had forgot we now had to get down and do the next one eeek!!!
- On the way down
We had lunch and even the two doggies got a well earned reward, a steak pie each, (low fat of course Mrs Gammy Leg Walker, as I understand they are on a strict diet!). We also enjoyed a treat from Gammy Leg Walker by way of sugar jelly worm sweets, very tasty.
After a fairly rocky and slippery walk down, we made it to the bealach.
It was there that the guys all made the decision not to continue onto Beinn Ime. I was a bit relieved as by now I was shattered, but felt that as I was the slowest of the group that I had prevented them from completing the next Munro. That said they all reassured me we set out as a group, and the go at the pace of the slowest in the group, it was not a problem at all, we had all had a fantastic walk and day, also Beinn Ime will be there for another day…
- Jockstar, Stretch & Gammy Leg Walker nearing the end of a fantastic day
- Great views
We got back to the car park after walking an easier path back, and with boots off said our good byes and said we would all meet up again hopefully soon.
- Sign at the bottom
- Post showing all the above signs
This was a fantastic walk for me and helped me gain valuable walking experiences. My thanks to Jockstar, Stretch and Gammy Leg Walker and his two Spaniels (who were so well behaved throughout the whole day, never leaving his heels, excellent training by Mr & Mrs Gammy Leg Walker) for all you help, assistance, guidance and support. Hope to see you again soon guys.