Dusting off the cobwebs on Schiehallion

[SMRussell]

Well February was an uneventful month on the Munro side... actually on the hill bagging side all together. All because 1. the weather put the other half off most weekends and 2. I busted the big toe nail on my right foot playing netball back in October last year and finally had to admit defeat and have the nail removed. Therefore I was not fit for action for a good few weeks. This resulted in my referring to the toe as 'Gammy' for a month and talking about it as though it were a person in its own right... yup, that's what happens when I don't get into the hills!

Anyway in order to ease us back in gently after a month on low urban ground we thought a jaunt up Schiehallion was in order. The other half didn't like the look of the weather for Saturday so we opted for Sunday. I couldn't wait another day so headed up Mount Battock with fellow walkhighlands member EwaMH on Saturday in non-stop dense clag, wind and rain which served as a good warm-up.

There isn't much to say about the walk itself - the car park was very busy as is to be expected when heading up such a popular hill. We didn't hang about, kitted up sharpish and were soon heading up - axes etc. in tow just in case (although they weren't necessary in the end). It was fairly cloudy so not much to see on the way up which is probably why we made it up in 1 hour and 30 mins. The cloud stayed with us on the summit but just a few minutes after our descent began we were bathed in glorious sunshine - so the 27 people we we passed on the way down were probably treated to great views!

Nice hill to ease us back in after a month off and done in 3 hours so we were back in good time for the rugby

Mini-snowman on the cairn

All we could see (most of the time) on the summit

The sun arrived minutes after leaving the summit

[kevsbald]

Couple of outstanding photos there - glad to hear you're not toetally out of the game!

[SMRussell]

Couple of outstanding photos there - glad to hear you're not toetally out of the game!

Hehe - cheers for the photo comment and double points for the gag

[dooterbang]

OUCH!!

I lost a big toe nail years ago whilst running a half marathon, was a painful experience.

Good wee walk, which i've yet to do, glad the cobwebs are gone.

[ChrisW]

Good to see you back SMR, cracking few photos there - that second one is beautiful. Just got my toenail back on the toe beside my pinky ....luckily I hardly noticed it was gone...wouldn't want to do the big toe though

[SMRussell]

OUCH!!

I lost a big toe nail years ago whilst running a half marathon, was a painful experience.

Good wee walk, which i've yet to do, glad the cobwebs are gone.

While I loved watching the removal process having the 1st few dressings removed wasn't much fun. Schiehallion was nice but might be an idea to head up very early for sunrise if you fancy some piece and quiet - one of the busiest hills we've ever bagged

Good to see you back SMR, cracking few photos there - that second one is beautiful. Just got my toenail back on the toe beside my pinky ....luckily I hardly noticed it was gone...wouldn't want to do the big toe though

Cheers for the photo comments Chris. Also nice to know I was missed! As for the toe, now that the discomfort of the 1st few weeks has gone its all fine and dandy

[chickadee]

Love the third photo, looks like it turned out to be a gorgeous day in the end. I've had Schiehallion marked down mentally for over a year now, so it's about time I bagged it. Maybe next month that'll be time!