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1st Munro!!!
Last minute decision to put on running shoes, small backpack and go for it!!
Sunny early evening, too hot for a run, but now or never.
Ben Wyvis is the closest Munro to home (I think), and i was in training for run/cycle around loch ness, and hill runs suggested to improve endurance speed etc.
All i knew about hill running was - uphill one way, and downhill back!
Parked up in the usual car park, there were other cars so i assumed many on the hill - all of whom i'd pass with me going up , and them coming down. Although the weather was good, i was going up early evening, hoping to return within a few hours!!
The 1st stretch in the wooded area + over the burn is pretty flat, but i got up a reasonable sweat with the sun beating down. My 2 bottles of water may not be sufficient!
Out onto the bare land and the climb begins. There was a family enjoying a wee picnic by the stream + i took a mental note to take my brood up at some point. Soon i was ascending the main hill and could see An Caber on ahead. My running had reduced to a strained walk by the time the large steps had been reached. I did start counting to pass the time, but lost count around 600! All of which are knee height.
After a few false peaks i had reached An Caber and could see along the top towards the summit (but the descending mist meant that the actual summit was covered). I trudged on, managing to run again across the fairly flat top - surprisingly green - but not surprisingly quiet. I knew the distance to the summit but was soon engulfed in 'clag' seeing only 20m around - quite an eerie sensation this being a 1st M!
Eventually i reached the summit and took some photos to show of the view ( or lack of it ). I gave a cheer, and returned along to An Caber and into sunshine. On the descent i passed a 'proper' runner who was leaping up the large steps probably as fast as i was going down!
All in all a good hill to start with.
85mins to go up
55mins to get back down
Some photos along the way - - - - -
- Car park up to Wyvis
- Better view of Ben Wyvis
- 1/2 way looking down
- An Caber
- along the top
- The Top!
- !!!!!!!!