First solo-walk in the Lawers

[Grisu]

This season I started walking on my own.
Looking for some advice for beginners I was happy to find Ralf Storer's Baffies' Easy Munro Guides and ordered Vol. 1,2,3 in the little bookshop at my hometown.
After some serious studies I finally decided for Perthshire and booked a week in the Aberfeldy Weem Hotel. Although it is a bit rundown the friendly stuff and the unconventional dealing made it quite a comfortable stay. From here I easily could reach the places I have chosen for my walks and some cycling without having too long to drive.

For my very first solo I picked Beinn Ghlas and Ben Lawers, an area I already knew a little bit form the Tarmachan-walk last year in March. It seemed to be quite a straight forward walk on a clear path and surely other walkers would be around on a Sunday. So I felt quite safe even and therefore I could focused on my main task: testing my comprehension of the walk description and to find out whether I will be able to recognize the waymarks and the twists and turns of the path as described.
Therefore I tried to find my way by following the decription and I succeeded in taking the wrong turn right at the start although the gate I didn't miss at least.

The gate

I remember that I was trying to figure out something around this burn but can't reconstruct it anymore.

But there was at least always one walker I could keep an eye on and finally I managed to get to the path while trying to figure out what I have misunderstood .

Now on the path! Summits covered a bit in mist

When the views came in sight I finally stopped reading. It made no sense anyway as the path was clearly visible and so many walkers just ahead of me so I started to enjoy the walk and the views coming in sight with the rising terrain.

Despite the dark clouds the visibilty was quite good and became even better once the sky cleared off and the sun came out just in time when I reached the first summit.

The mist has evaporated - Summit in blue sky!

And what was this? The cairn was decorated with little devices and the path to Ben Lawers was marked with red flags and there were some guides at the summit I had a little chat with.

Summit cairn on Beinn Ghlas and sign indicating the check-point

little flags marking the parcours for the QUAD

It was Quadrathon-day! Swimming through Loch Tay, running over seven munros , kajaking and finally cycling around the Loch. I was pretty much impressed. This year's winning team made it in 7.37hrs - congratulation!

View along the vally with part of the ridge of Meall Corranaich / Meall a' Coire Lèith

Seven munros in a day, - not to speak of the other disciplines - this was hardly imaginable but very fascinating. I was contemplating on that while I resumed my walk.

An Stuc and the rest of the club

The walk to the summit of Ben Lawers didn't take much time as far as I remember.

Summit-Selfie

Looking back

It was pretty windy that day so I was looking for some shelter where I could enjoy the views while having my little lunch in the warm sunshine.

Enjoying the views over Lochan nan Cat towards Loch Tay

a bit redundant, can't decide, same place now with An Stuc

Still some competitiors arrived at the summit and a little party coming over from An Stuc.

Summit Meeting

I had a little chat with someone who explained the scenery. It was a mystery how he could figure out all the different mountains and even name them - to me it all looked only very hilly, no chance to memorize any of these strange sounding names.

View towards the neighbouring ridge

Finally I started to descend, a bit unsure whether I will find the turn-off to the valley path although everything looked pretty simple. I think I was a bit too rattled by all the warnings the guides had been given during my first years with guided groups. But when I reached the little cairn there was no doubt which way to go.

Looking out for the valley path

turn-off to the valley route

During the walk through the valley I was on my own and slowed down to a leisurely pace in the pleasant warm afternoon sun.

Looking back along the valley

The neighbour

I got attracted by the shape of the corrie/ridge in the distance and was wandering if this was part of the Meall nan Tarmachan. I only can guess because I never have seen the summit on my walk.
About the old shieldings I met some guys from Glasgow and we chatted along the way until we reached the parking.

fascinated by the view of the corrie

Although this walk was nothing really much of a challenge on a day like this with this clear visible path I was quite happy for this nice introduction into my solo career
Back at the car the runners were coming down either from Tarmachan or Meall Corranaich, greeted by some audience and supplied with water and some nutrition to keep going for the cycling.
I changed some clothes, thanked for this lovely day and said goodbye to the mountain.

Looking back to the Mountain.

[HalfManHalfTitanium]

Love the photos, especially "Enjoying the views over Lochan nan Cat towards Loch Tay", and the wide panorama of the western skyline of peaks.

Tim

[Grisu]

Thanks Tim!