Snow on Ben Chonzie

[The Rodmiester]

A midweek jaunt up a Perthshire Hill , one that I did over twenty one years ago, Ben Chonzie, the hill of the hare. To access the hill you take the road travelling from Comrie village up Glen Lednock towards the Loch Lednock Reservoir and what a road it is just now, at the start you cannot see any tarmac, it's just a carpet of golden brown fallen leaves, and the autumnal colours are awesome. The starting point is approximately 5k from Comrie, at Invergeldie where there is a small marked car park.

Starting point, small car park

After going up the track from the car park you pass in front of a small cottage on the right and head for an aluminium gate

A good track passes at the side of the dwelling and heads off up the hillside

The weather is still holding up and we pass some nice autumnal colours on the trees

On the right of the track you pass some sheep pens with stone wall enclosures

You soon come to the first crossing of the Invergeldie Burn, by a bridge which has rotten section in it, followed by another gate

Looking back the way we have come at more autumnal colours

Bridge crossing with rotten section identified

Trees at the burn crossing

I wonder what sign was on this stone? near the track. Weather still holding up and surprisingly warm at this stage

Just for the sake of dog owners as and when necessary, I guess

Approaching the next crossing of the Invergeldie Burn where there is a dam

The track leaving the dam heading East, It's still dry with hardly any wind about, maybe we are going to be ok today

Guess I spoke too soon, the clag is a coming

The track now has become a whole lot rougher and the rain has started

The path off the track to gain the summit is at 714m where a wee cairn is placed on the left of the track

Yes, this is what we have been waiting for a bit of the white stuff

The path soon flattens out and you find the fence posts on your right and follow them to the Summit cairn

Ben Chonzie summit cairn

Return the same way following the fence posts on your left and head South until you find the track

By now the track has turned into a wee burn. A fine leg stretch but no views at the top what so ever.

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[BlackPanther]

Aah, snow, snow, snow! Just a shame you got no views, but great to see winter arrive so early on the hills.
Can't wait to do the first snowy mountain this year!
We were in Assynt yesterday, didn't climb anything but lurked in some caves Conival and BMA had a nice white sprinkle over the tops and An Teallach was quite white as well - now if we could have some sunshine and a couple of free days

[monty]

Nice detailed report Rodmeister. Love the autumn colors and the snow on top. Shame about the summit views but looks nice otherwise

[The Rodmiester]

Thank's for that Monty , my first report I have managed to get the photographs in order The snow was added bonus on top for sure, I only wish I had taken a photograph of the road up from Comrie as it was a delight, with the autumnal colours both sides and also on the road itself.

[Graeme D]

Must redo Chonzie from that side sometime soon.

[Fudgie]

This hill gets a bad name as being boring but get some of the white stuff on it and it can be quite exciting

[The Rodmiester]

Your right Fudgie, a wee bit of snow makes all the difference, a bit of variety. By the way I only saw one hare , and no sign of it changing to white either

[Sarah86]

Thanks for such a detailed report, this is on my to do list but think I will leave it to next year as not experienced in walking in the snow or poorer weather. Great pictures in the snow though!

[The Rodmiester]

Thank's Sarah , Ben Chonzie was my 21st munro, and I had not been on it for 21yrs, as you can see there is a good track up and beyond the 714m where you go right at the path shown. Not a bad wee path up to the summit area where if the visibility is good you will see a line of fence posts, follow the posts which have a right angled kink towards the summit cairn. There is nothing steep at all so as long you are happy with the visibility give it a go, good luck . By the way on the way down a lot of the snow on the path to the track had dissapeared already.

[peter tindal]

Hi, thanks for the report, heading up thier on 29th Nov, but with 14 students on tow for a wee charity hill walk for Help 4 Heroes. It will be good to show them the pics as they have already done the route card from that startpoint. Picture paints a thousand words.

Pete

[The Rodmiester]

Hi Pete, glad to be of some help . Good luck with your charity climb , hope you have a lot of sponsorship for a tremendous cause . I see your from Forfar nae that far from Carnoustie. If I'm not doing anything on the 29th November, I might just tag along if I may, and bring my niece, fingers crossed she will make it this time as because of a chest infection had to pack up just shortly after hitting the path, so she saw none of the snow on top. Might see you there with some sponsor money .

[peter tindal]

Hi, you would be more than welcome. I work in Fife at the college so we would be making our way there in a mini bus. We would be aiming to start by 1030. The mini bus will have "Adam Smith College" all over it.

Pete

[The Rodmiester]

Thank's for that Pete, if I make it there should be a light blue VW Golf in the car park, much will depend if my niece can get a day off, I have no problems. Retired , might see you there , Rod

[The Rodmiester]

I see last year there were 28 TRs on Ben Chonzie, this year already there are 27, just goes to show it's still a very popular hill, although not having the character of many others.

[gymman47]

Very impressive report Rod and plenty good pictures too.

JP