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I decided to drag my friend, who was yet to tackle a munro, up Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers as recommended by a friend.
Drove up what felt like half the mountain to the car park to begin walk. Car was making a very alarming noise when I got out of it and I had to seek the assistance from a fellow hiker who also couldn't figure out what it was (we later discovered it was just the radiator cooling it down after it's arduous drive up the steep mountain road...DOH!)
We set off to tackle Beinn Ghlas first. The weather was perfect - beautiful sun but with enough breeze to stay nice and cool once we got a bit higher up. My friend needed lots of cheers of encouragement and Skittles (my favourite mountain snack) to help her up. Poor thing has been holed up in the library studying for her degree for the last 2 years and thus a bit unfit. We met a young girl, I think she was 5, walking up Beinn Ghlas with her mother. Very impressive!
Once at the summit of Beinn Ghlas, we had some snacks and then set off towards Ben Lawers. There is very minimal descent between the two and after a final slog up the last wee bit, we reached the summit, much to my friend's enormous relief! :S
We enjoyed our pieces and the views at the top though it was very chilly so all the layers went on! We met a group of lads who were on their 5th munro of the day, putting our measly 2 to shame!! Maybe that will be me soon??
After hanging around for some photos, we started the descent. We met two men dragging their trail bikes up to the top - unbelievable!
I find it hard enough dragging my own body up let alone a bike too! They went whizzing past rather smugly while we were trekking down.
The descent was very pleasant, we bypassed Beinn Ghlas and went round the side which was much kinder on my poor knees. We arrived back at the car which, to my immense relief, started with no issues. I only realised what an idiot I was later on when I Googled 'car complaining after climbing hill'.
- My wonderful friend. 'Thank ****' she says!
Beautiful day, beautiful hills!